A year-round destination, it is hot in summer from November to April and mild the rest of the time. The rainy season is January to May but on the coast rainfall is spasmodic with the west coast being driest. Cyclones can occur from January to March, and sea breezes keep down the humidity at this hottest time. Cooling south east trade winds blow the during the 'winter' months, May to October.

Generally the islands enjoy a warm and pleasant climate with temperatures averaging about 27°C. The wettest period is from December to February but the islands do lie outside the cyclone zone. In July and August the south east trade winds can cause the sea to be choppy.

The best time to visit is during the winter months from April to September to avoid the hot rainy season.

Tropical around the coast and temperate in the mountainous interior. October to March is hot (to 28°C on the coast) and wet with the possibility of cyclones. The west coast, protected from the prevailing south-east trade winds by the mountains, is drier than the east.

Indian Ocean, every shade of aquamarine, sapphire, opal and emerald, from the darkness beyond the reefs to the palest translucent waters of the protected lagoons

In Seychelles, giant tortoises and turtles, the former in their natural habitat on the atoll Aldabra but also re-introduced to several of the islands, the later in the clear seas everywhere, and the Coco de Mer palm, a botanical rarity, found growing wild in the Vallée de Mai World Heritage Site on Praslin

In Réunion, the scenery is particularly spectacular as a result of the island's volcanic history. The moon-like lava fields around the active volcano contrast starkly to the three extinct craters whose sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls and dense, lush montane forests harbour a healthy bird population, some species endemic to the island, and orchids flowering mainly December to March

Watersports including snorkelling, scuba diving, waterskiing, surfing and windsurfing - tell us your passion and we'll tell you where and when to go!

Deep sea big game fishing - Mozambique is world-renowned for record-sized marlin and billfish; best time in Mauritius is from September to March, and in Seychelles in May and October to December

Golf, on several islands, with a choice of courses, some with 18 holes and others just 9

Tennis and horse riding from some hotels

Hiking, rock climbing, canyoning, abseiling, paragliding and helicopter flights - all in Réunion