Is there ever a bad time to laze around on a tropical beach? That’s what we’re here to find out! The Maldives is one of the world’s hottest destinations — in every sense of the word. Your time there may be quite different in terms of weather, marine life and more, depending on when you travel. Before you book tickets to this island paradise in the Indian Ocean, read this quick guide and discover the best time to go to Maldives.
The Maldives weather by month
Asia’s smallest country is located in the tropics, which means temperatures don’t change that much from month to month. Basically, leave the jumper at home. However, you’ll still want to pay attention to the season that you visit. Like most tropical countries, the Maldives has a distinct wet and dry season. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect:
The Maldives weather in January
January is a popular month to visit the Maldives. It’s the early dry season, so while there may be some rain showers, torrential storms are unlikely. Humidity is low — but remember, this is an island, so that’s always relative.
Climate in the Maldives in February
February is the driest month of the year in the Maldives. You can expect daily maximums of around 30°C and lots of sunshine, making this an ideal time for a getaway to beat the winter blues. Many people agree that February is the best time to go to the Maldives.
The Maldives weather in March
March is a little hotter than February, with daily highs of 31°C. This month now marks the late dry season, so showers are a bit more common, but full days of rain are extremely unlikely.
The Maldives weather in April
April is officially the last month of the dry season, and you’ll feel it. By the middle of the month, showers are increasingly common. What’s more, the humidity is on the rise, so expect hot and sticky weather, which may be significantly less comfortable than February or March.
The Maldives weather in May
Daily highs are still hovering around 31°C, but the start of the wet season makes the weather uncomfortably humid. Storms are increasingly common, and you may experience full days of rain.
The Maldives weather in June
The wet season continues throughout June. The good news? It’s one of the cheapest times to visit the Maldives. The bad news? You’ll need to bring a raincoat!
The Maldives weather in July
The weather is still hot and wet in the Maldives in July. Expect storms and showers. By this time, full days of rain are unlikely, but regular torrential downpours are to be expected.
The Maldives weather in August
August brings more of the same: it’s a hot, sticky month with fierce rainstorms that come and go with almost no warning. This means that the Maldives is not a traditional summer “fly and flop” destination.
The Maldives weather in September
September is the wettest month of the year in the Maldives. The temperatures are slightly lower, hovering in the high 20s, and there’s still plenty of sunshine between the showers.
Weather in the Maldives in October
October is another very wet month in the Maldives. The wet season is coming to an end, but it tends to leave with a bang. Expect full days of rain during this month.
The Maldives November weather
Finally, the wet season is over! However, that doesn’t mean that November is the best time to visit the Maldives if you want dry weather. In fact, there are still some showers during the day, but they’re shorter and lighter than in the last few months.
The Maldives weather in December
That’s more like it! The dry season is definitely back by the time December rolls around. You may still see a few showers, but they’re now far less common, and days are warm and sunny.
The cheapest time to visit the Maldives
Looking for a budget holiday? Well, to be honest, the Maldives may not be the best choice. This island paradise is never exactly cheap, but some times of the year will be a little lighter on your wallet than others.
In general, the peak season is in the northern hemisphere winter, with December, January and February being particularly popular. Prices tend to skyrocket over the Christmas period, and there’s another spike around Valentine’s Day as couples flock to this romantic destination. After all, there’s nowhere better than the Maldives for long walks on the beach!
Prices are lower in the rainy season, which runs from May to November. September and October may be the best time to visit the Maldives if you’re travelling on a budget. However, keep in mind that there’s a reason prices are low. In the tropics, “rainy season” isn’t just a figure of speech. If you want to laze around on the beach, working on your tan, you may have some problems!
The best time to go to the Maldives for scuba diving
Besides being a fabulous beach destination, the Maldives is one of the world’s most popular countries for scuba diving and snorkelling. Many travellers choose to get their scuba certificate in the gorgeous waters of the Indian Ocean —and who can blame them? There’s year-round diving in the Maldives, but things do change with the seasons, which is something to take into account.
Wet season
Most liveaboard boats run different itineraries depending on the time of year. During the wet season, from May to October, the best diving can be found in the southwest of the country. This is manta feeding season, making it the best time of year to visit the Maldives if you want to see these graceful rays in action. Even more thrillingly, the wet season is the perfect time for whale sharks. These enormous creatures are high on every diver’s bucket list, and the Maldives in the wet season is one of the best places in the world to see them. That being said, visibility is lower in the wet season, as the water is full of plankton. That’s kind of a necessary evil, as the tasty plankton is what attracts those big critters. Currents are mild, so even beginner divers can enjoy the water at this time of year.
Dry season
During the dry season from November to April, currents are stronger and unpredictable, which may be difficult for newer divers. Most liveaboard boats focus on the northeast of the country. This is a good time to go to the Maldives if you want to see various species of sharks. Visibility is at its best, making this a popular season for underwater photographers.
Although you can dive at any time of year in the Maldives, newer or less confident divers should avoid the months of November and April. These mark seasonal shifts, which is when the currents are constantly changing. Currents can be extremely unpredictable, and even experienced divemasters may be caught off-guard.
The best season to go to the Maldives for surfing
As well as fun under the water, the Maldives offers travellers the chance to enjoy spending time above the waves. The surf is at its best during the wet season, with the most impressive swell from June to August. You can still find good surfing conditions in September and October. During the dry season, leave your surfboard at home, as you won’t get much action out there.
The best time to go to the Maldives for local culture and events
Most visitors to the Maldives are looking for the resort experience. There’s nothing quite like relaxing on a tropical island, is there? However, some people want to get more of a feel for the local culture, and that often means visiting when there’s some kind of celebration or event going on. Keep in mind that the resort islands of the Maldives are quite different from the capital of Malé and other residential areas. In fact, if you’re staying in one of the popular Maldives tourist hotspots, you may not even be aware that there are festivals or events taking place.
Local festivals
Over 98% of Maldives residents are Muslim, so most festivals are religious Islamic celebrations, including Eid al Fitr, the birthday of the Prophet, and a special unique day marking the day that the Maldives embraced Islam. This also means that events follow the Islamic calendar, so dates change from year to year.
Independence Day
Independence Day is celebrated on the 26th of July, marking the day when the Maldives separated from the British Empire. The capital city of Malé hosts parades and public dance performances, which can be enjoyable to watch. This may be the best time to go to the Maldives if you want to see the local culture.
National Day
Another important day is National Day. This is celebrated on the 1st day of the 3rd month of the Islamic calendar, so the date changes each year. On this day, the Maldivian people commemorate their uprising against the Portuguese. Expect military parades and impressive fireworks displays.
Republic Day
On Republic Day, the 11th of November, the Maldivians celebrate the end of the monarchy. Every five years, a new president is appointed on this day. Even if there’s no presidential appointment to watch, this is still a fun day, marked by special food like coconut cake and seafood pancakes.
Can you visit the Maldives during Ramadan?
As the Maldives is a very religious Muslim country, you may wonder if tourism is acceptable during Ramadan. The dates of this holy month change each year, as it follows the Islamic calendar, but the observation remains the same. Devout Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, not even drinking water.
The Maldives is a country that relies on tourism, so the industry continues during the fasting month. In resorts, you may not even notice that it’s Ramadan, as it’s very much business as usual. However, if you want to head off the beaten track, this may not be the best month to visit the Maldives. Outside the tourist areas, restaurants and cafés may be closed all day.
Generally, if you visit during Ramadan, be respectful of the local customs. Visitors are not expected to fast, but it is considered rude to flaunt your food and drink in front of locals at this time of year.
Does the Maldives have a typhoon season?
Nervous travellers may be worried about big storms in the Maldives. If you’re looking for the best time to go to the Maldives to steer clear of typhoons, you’re in luck. As the country is so close to the equator, large storms are rare, even in the rainy season.
Now that you know about the best season to go to the Maldives, it’s time to plan your trip! Why not join us for a week-long adventure in paradise? We also have an exclusive Maldives Collection trip, with the chance to stay in luxurious overwater bungalows in Vaavu Atoll. Join us for the trip of a lifetime!
