Weather in Seychelles in January

How January compares

January is the 5th warmest month of the year in Seychelles and ranks 24th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Seychelles is 19.7°C warmer by day and 23.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Seychelles peaks at 27.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C. Nights average 25.7°C; one night in ten drops to 24.7°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 29.0°C (1998-01-28) and the coldest night 23.9°C (2018-01-21).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 22 days with 1 mm or more, 218 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2006 with 436 mm, the driest 2010 with 65 mm. Humidity averages 82%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 28.3°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.8°C to 28.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (29.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:16 and sets about 18:38 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 70%.

Is January a good time to visit Seychelles?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Seychelles on our scoring are July, February, April; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Warm days, with little cooling after dark

The heat is steady rather than extreme: average daytime highs are 27.1°C, but humidity of 82% can make it feel close. Average night lows of 25.7°C mean evenings offer little relief, so light, breathable clothing is more useful than heavy layers. Air-conditioned accommodation is a sensible priority if warm bedrooms disturb your sleep. Keep strenuous activity away from midday and leave room for breaks rather than packing the day tightly. At 28.3°C, the sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming, although water temperature alone does not tell you about local swimming conditions. January particularly suits travellers who enjoy warmth without needing cooler evenings.

Plan around rain, not guaranteed sunshine

With about 22 rainy days, January is a poor fit if dry weather is the deciding factor. That does not mean it rains continuously on those days, but rain should be part of your plans rather than treated as an unlikely interruption. There are about 3.7 hours of sunshine within 12.2 hours of daylight, so a long day does not translate into a long spell of sun. Keep outdoor plans flexible, carry a light waterproof and protect anything that needs to stay dry. A place to sit comfortably under cover will be useful. The trade-off is straightforward: dependable warmth and a warm sea, but limited sunshine and frequent wet weather.