There is no bad time to see the tortoises: Curieuse can be visited all year, and temperatures barely change. What does change is the wind — and with it the state of the sea, the clarity of the water and the comfort of the boat ride.
The short answer
- Best overall: April–May and October–November, the calm transition months between the monsoons, with gentle seas and the clearest water.
- Driest and breeziest: roughly May to September, during the south-east trade winds. Pleasant temperatures, but choppier crossings, especially to and from Mahé.
- Hottest, most humid and wettest: roughly December to March, the north-west monsoon, with heavy but often short tropical showers.
The Seychelles lie close to the equator and mostly outside the main cyclone belt. Daytime temperatures are typically around 27–31 °C all year, and the sea stays warm.
| Months | Season | Weather | Sea & snorkelling | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January–February | North-west monsoon | Hot, humid, the wettest period; heavy showers and sunny spells | Often calm on the south-east coasts; rain can reduce visibility | Busy around New Year, then moderate |
| March | North-west monsoon easing | Hot and humid, showers becoming less frequent | Improving | Moderate |
| April–May | Calm transition | Hot, light winds, sunny | Usually the calmest seas and clearest water | Busy at Easter, otherwise moderate |
| June–September | South-east trade winds | Drier, breezy, slightly cooler and less humid | Choppier; some sites rough, sheltered spots fine | Busy in July–August |
| October–November | Calm transition | Warm, light winds, mostly dry | Calm and clear again | Moderate |
| December | North-west monsoon begins | Hot, humid, increasing rain | Variable | Very busy around Christmas |
Half-day boat trip from €48 Curieuse and St Pierre Snorkeling Half-Day Trip No BBQ Lunch
Four hours instead of seven: the mangroves, the tortoises’ habitat and a snorkel at St Pierre, without the long beach lunch. A good choice with young children, in hot weather, or if you want the afternoon for Anse Lazio or the Vallée de Mai.
- Mangrove swamp and giant tortoises
- Snorkelling at St Pierre
- Back in time for lunch or an afternoon on the beach
Full-day boat trip from €79 Praslin: Curieuse & St. Pierre Full-Day Boat Trip with Lunch
The most-reviewed Curieuse trip on GetYourGuide, with close to 1,900 reviews. The classic day: snorkel off the granite islet of St Pierre, land at the ranger station to meet the tortoises, walk through the mangroves to a quiet beach, then eat a barbecue lunch and swim before the boat takes you back to Praslin.
- Giant tortoises and the mangrove walk on Curieuse
- Snorkelling at St Pierre, gear included
- Barbecue lunch on the beach
Catamaran snorkelling cruise from €141 Sister, Coco, and Felicite Island: Seychelles Catamaran Tour
Your second boat day. This catamaran trip from Praslin or La Digue heads for the small islands east of La Digue — Coco Island, the Sisters and Félicité — for some of the best snorkelling in the inner islands. Rated 4.8 from more than 160 reviews.
- Snorkelling at Coco Island
- Sister and Félicité islands
- Food and swimming on board
Small-group land tour from €65 Praslin: Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio Beach Full-day Tour
The perfect companion to a day on Curieuse. The Vallée de Mai is the other home of the coco de mer — a UNESCO-listed palm forest where you can see the giant nuts on the trees — and the tour ends at Anse Lazio, often called the most beautiful beach on Praslin. Entrance fees: check what is included.
- The coco de mer forest of the Vallée de Mai
- A chance of the Seychelles black parrot
- Afternoon at Anse Lazio
What the seasons mean for a Curieuse trip
The boat ride from Côte d’Or to St Pierre and Curieuse is short and relatively sheltered, so trips run in most weather. But when the wind is strong, crossings get bumpy, snorkelling at St Pierre may be moved or shortened, and the ferry from Mahé to Praslin can be uncomfortable. Operators cancel when it is unsafe.
Whatever the month, book your Curieuse day early in your stay, so there is time to rebook if the weather intervenes.
Wildlife through the year
- Giant tortoises: present all year. They are more active in the cooler mornings and after rain.
- Hawksbill turtles: nest on the beaches of Curieuse and Cousin mainly during the north-west monsoon months, roughly October to March.
- Seabirds on Cousin: the great colonies of noddies are present during the south-east monsoon, roughly May to September; other species breed all year.
- Coco de mer: the palms grow, flower and fruit slowly all year, so there is always something to see.
Crowds and prices
The busiest and most expensive periods are Christmas and New Year, Easter and the European summer holidays (July–August). Hotels and the best boat trips fill up early then. The calm months of May, October and November often combine good weather with more availability.
Whenever you go, see our where-to-stay guide and boat-trip guide.
