Guide CLXX — Indian Ocean — Calendar
Best Time to Visit the Indian Ocean: A Month-by-Month Calendar
The Maldives, the Seychelles and Mauritius have different seasons. Here is what each national weather service publishes, month by month.
Photo: Illustrative image: aerial view of overwater villas on a turquoise lagoon.
TL;DR — the short version
In brief
When to visit the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius, using the national weather services' published climate guides month by month, with cyclone-season notes.
What is the best month to visit the Indian Ocean?
It depends on the island and what you want. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority describes April as the calmest transition month and May as the sunniest; Mauritius Meteorological Services describes June to September as the cooler, drier winter; the Maldives Meteorological Service describes the northeast monsoon from January to March.
Typical price band
Reference
Indicative only. Our booking partners confirm live rates and availability for your exact dates.
At a glance
- Northeast monsoon January to March; December and April transitional
- Maldives Source
- Monsoon reversal in April; light winds again in October–November
- Seychelles Source
- Warm humid summer November–April; cooler drier winter June–September
- Mauritius Source
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season peaks around January
- Cyclones Source
Book a stay in Indian Ocean
Choose dates for partner searches. Villa prices below are recorded samples; multiplying them by your selected nights is an estimate, not an exact-date quote.
Our villas in South Malé Atoll
- Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
South Malé Atoll, Maldives
$3,486 / night · recorded sample
Review dates & partner booking termsPerks and service inclusions are not confirmed in our records. Check the exact accommodation, charges and cancellation terms with the booking partner before paying.
- Naladhu Private Island Maldives
South Malé Atoll, Maldives
$1,688 / night · recorded sample
Review dates & partner booking termsPerks and service inclusions are not confirmed in our records. Check the exact accommodation, charges and cancellation terms with the booking partner before paying.
- Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
South Malé Atoll, Maldives
$1,000 / night · recorded sample
Review dates & partner booking termsPerks and service inclusions are not confirmed in our records. Check the exact accommodation, charges and cancellation terms with the booking partner before paying.
Our villas in Noonu Atoll
- Siyam World Maldives
Noonu Atoll, Maldives
$902 / night · recorded sample
Review dates & partner booking termsPerks and service inclusions are not confirmed in our records. Check the exact accommodation, charges and cancellation terms with the booking partner before paying.
- Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
Noonu Atoll, Maldives
$507 / night · recorded sample
Review dates & partner booking termsPerks and service inclusions are not confirmed in our records. Check the exact accommodation, charges and cancellation terms with the booking partner before paying.
- Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa – Maldives
Noonu Atoll, Maldives
$505 / night · recorded sample
Review dates & partner booking termsPerks and service inclusions are not confirmed in our records. Check the exact accommodation, charges and cancellation terms with the booking partner before paying.
Hotels and other rentals
Partner rates are indicative and confirmed at checkout. Some links are affiliate links.
The short version
Each island group has its own national weather service, and their published climate guides describe different seasons. The Maldives Meteorological Service describes the northeast monsoon from January to March, with December and April as transition months. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority describes April as the monsoon reversal, with light, variable winds, and May as the sunniest part of the year; the southeast trades then peak around August. Mauritius Meteorological Services describes a warm, humid summer from November to April and a cooler, drier winter from June to September, with May and October as transition months.
None of this guarantees conditions on your dates. Check the relevant national forecast close to travel, and follow cyclone warnings in the summer months.
Seychelles and Mauritius month by month
The Seychelles column summarises the Seychelles Meteorological Authority's monthly climate guide; the Mauritius column summarises Mauritius Meteorological Services' climate page (read 4 October 2026). We have not added Maldives or Sri Lanka cells because the national services we checked do not publish a comparable month-by-month guide.
January
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Peak of the rainy season; northwest monsoon peaks; peak of the regional cyclone season
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Summer; among the warmest months
February
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Rain usually decreasing but still wet and humid
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Summer; among the warmest and wettest months
March
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Significant decrease in rain; northwest monsoon weakens
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Summer; among the wettest months
April
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Monsoon reversal; light, variable winds; end of the rainy season
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Last summer month
May
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Southeast trades set in; sunniest part of the year
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Transition month
June
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Relatively dry; trades established, choppy seas late in the month
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Winter (cool, dry)
July
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Coolest and driest period; very windy, rough seas
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Winter; among the coolest months
August
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Peak of the southeast trades; rough seas
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Winter; among the coolest months
September
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Trades declining but fairly strong
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Winter
October
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Winds weaken; most dry days of any month
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Transition month; the driest month
November
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Warmer; rains set in; winds drop
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Summer begins
December
- Seychelles (SMA)
- Well into the rainy season; generally light winds
- Mauritius (MMS)
- Summer
| Month | Seychelles (SMA) | Mauritius (MMS) |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak of the rainy season; northwest monsoon peaks; peak of the regional cyclone season | Summer; among the warmest months |
| February | Rain usually decreasing but still wet and humid | Summer; among the warmest and wettest months |
| March | Significant decrease in rain; northwest monsoon weakens | Summer; among the wettest months |
| April | Monsoon reversal; light, variable winds; end of the rainy season | Last summer month |
| May | Southeast trades set in; sunniest part of the year | Transition month |
| June | Relatively dry; trades established, choppy seas late in the month | Winter (cool, dry) |
| July | Coolest and driest period; very windy, rough seas | Winter; among the coolest months |
| August | Peak of the southeast trades; rough seas | Winter; among the coolest months |
| September | Trades declining but fairly strong | Winter |
| October | Winds weaken; most dry days of any month | Transition month; the driest month |
| November | Warmer; rains set in; winds drop | Summer begins |
| December | Well into the rainy season; generally light winds | Summer |
Planning notes
- We have no verified booking-lead-time data; festive weeks are often requested early, so ask the booking partner about availability and minimum stays for your dates.
- Seaplane transfers in the Maldives operate in daylight; check your resort's last transfer time before booking an international flight.
- SMA notes that south- and southeast-facing Seychelles beaches can collect washed-up weed from June to September, while sheltered west and northwest coasts are more pleasant then.
- Diving and marine-life seasons vary by site; ask the resort's dive centre for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best month to visit the Indian Ocean?
- It depends on the island and what you want. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority describes April as the calmest transition month and May as the sunniest; Mauritius Meteorological Services describes June to September as the cooler, drier winter; the Maldives Meteorological Service describes the northeast monsoon from January to March.
- When is the rainy season in the Seychelles?
- The Seychelles Meteorological Authority describes December to March as the rainy season, peaking in January, with June to September the drier period.
- When is cyclone season in Mauritius?
- Cyclones occur in the South-West Indian Ocean during the southern summer, with the season peaking around January according to the Seychelles Meteorological Authority. Follow Mauritius Meteorological Services' cyclone warning bulletins if travelling between November and April.
Editorial note & limitations
Rate character describes how prices behave in a month relative to the rest of the year, not a quotation. Houses in the Collection are priced live by the partner holding those dates; hotels and rentals are searched live through our booking partners. Weather and season dates are drawn from official climate and park sources, assembled September 2026.