The Best Time to Visit the Indian Ocean Islands

Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka are four of the most frequented islands of the Indian Ocean. Their spectacular beauty helps the travellers from the UK in reinventing their love affair with the sun and the sea. The sun smiles radiantly on these islands for most months of the year, which makes them a perfect retreat during the dull European winters, and monsoons. The best time to visit these islands, however, varies as per the expectation from the holiday.

Maldives

Maldives has an energy that seems to feed on potpourri of people from across ethnicities. The weather remains inviting from December till February, but Christmas and New Year is the time when vibrant energy of Maldives is the most palpable. The prices, naturally, are higher due to a larger influx of tourists. March and April are the shoulder months as the prices drop but the weather remains hot and sunny until the end of April. May to November are rainy months when prices drop significantly, which is a blessing for surfers as the months between March and October are considered the best for surfing. The summer holiday months of August and September might not be the best time to visit weather-wise as well as price-wise but Maldives’ glorious marine life is at its best during this time and makes up for other factors.

Mauritius

Though Mauritius enjoys its best weather between December and February, December is the only month travel is advisable in this region. You wouldn’t be able to avoid the high prices owing to Christmas and New Year but you will avoid the persistent rainfall on the mainland due to cyclones which are common at sea in January and February. March and April as well as October and November are the shoulder months and also the months of increased under-water visibility. This means you will mostly find adventure junkies snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking their way to the precious marine life. While visiting Maldives on a budget; travel between May and July to find some great deals. Make advance bookings for the European holiday months of August and September to ensure availability.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a perfect destination to visit throughout the year as the monsoon in Sri Lanka divides the country into two regions. North-East Sri Lanka boasts of some of the best-known beaches, and welcomes monsoon between October and January (also known as Yala Monsoon). It’s a perfect opportunity for travellers from UK to spend their summer holidays months (July, August and September) outdoors at the lowest prices. Travelling between December and March is expensive, and is best suited only for the southern and the western regions which stay dry during these months of Maha Monsoon.

Seychelles

The stunning Seychelles experiences its high season between December-March and July-August when the weather is cooler and drier than the rest of the year and European school holidays results in an influx of large number of tourists. April, May, October and November see high temperatures but the underwater visibility is excellent, making them the best months for diving. Although, a number of visitors travel to Seychelles around Easter holidays, these months still are shoulder months. June and September are the season’s low months and ideal for striking great deals.