The best time to visit the Maldives
Visit the Maldives in May and June to watch sea turtles nesting on beaches, and July and August to see hatchlings.![]()
The best time to go to the Maldives for lovely weather is between December and April, when it’s typically dry, sunny and warm. April is the hottest month, with temperatures up to around 32°C. These months are also the best time for diving with good visibility underwater. Rainy season in the Maldives is from May to November. Showers are sporadic, however, and it’s still warm and sunny. With lower flight and resort prices, these can be the best months to visit the Maldives if you’re on a budget. September and October are the wettest months in the Maldives, but popular with surfers, as well as divers hoping to see manta rays and whale sharks.
When is the rainy season in the Maldives?
The rainy season in the Maldives begins in May and finishes in November, reaching its peak in September and October, which tend to be the wettest months of the year in the Maldives. You can expect heavy, usually short showers throughout the Maldives rainy season, but for the most part the weather remains sunny and warm. Visibility underwater is quite poor during the rainy season so it’s not ideal for divers and snorkellers, however abundant plankton means that manta rays and whale sharks arrive to feast.A month by month guide on when to go to the Maldives
January in the Maldives
February in the Maldives
February is great for a Maldives conservation cruise
March in the Maldives
April in the Maldives
April is great for a dhoni cruise in the Maldives
May in the Maldives
June in the Maldives
January to April is the best time to see whale sharks and manta rays in Ari. Summer (June to September) is when to see rays in Baa.![]()
– Ruth Franklin, co-founder of our partner Secret Paradise
July in the Maldives
August in the Maldives
September in the Maldives
October in the Maldives
November in the Maldives
November and December are great for a small group tour to the Maldives and Sri Lanka
December in the Maldives
Maldives Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
25
30
90
FEB
25
31
68
MAR
25
31
81
APR
26
32
129
MAY
26
31
211
JUN
26
30
183
JUL
25
30
161
AUG
25
30
183
SEP
25
30
213
OCT
25
30
229
NOV
25
30
192
DEC
25
30
198
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Best times to visit the Maldives for festivals & events
Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting and prayer for Muslims around the world, and it is observed across the Maldives. Precise dates vary year by year but it’s the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. If you’re staying on a resort island then Ramadan will have little to no impact on your stay, but on local islands it’s polite not to wander around eating or drinking during the daylight hours as residents will be fasting until nightfall.
Eid
Eid al-Fitr is a significant celebration in the Islamic calendar – a festival that marks the end of Ramadan fasting with the first sighting of the new moon. This is a fantastic period to stay on a local island in the Maldives, with crowds gathering at mosques in their finest clothes to give prayers and offerings before feasting with family and friends.
Independence Day (26 July)
Independence Day marks the date that the Maldives gained their independence from Great Britain after 77 years as a British protectorate. The public vacation is marked by parades, dance and music performances, and street parties, with the capital, Malé, the focus of celebrations.
Mawlid (October)
Mawlid is the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and a major celebration across the Muslim world, with the date varying according to the Islamic lunar calendar. This is a public vacation in the Maldives and while it has little effect on resort islands, if you’re staying on local islands then you’ll find that many shops, restaurants and other businesses close for the day. Carnival-style processions liven up the streets while many people flock to mosques to decorate them and leave offerings.
Fisherman’s Day (10 December)
In a country where much of the cuisine is based around seafood, it’s no surprise that a festival giving thanks to the local fishing industry has evolved. Local islands are the place to stay on 10 December, especially close to fishing communities, as impromptu markets pop up all over the place and you will eat extremely well.
Our travelers also ask...
What is the hottest month in the Maldives?
March and April are the hottest months of the year in the Maldives, with average daytime temperatures around 28-29°C, climbing up to the early 30°Cs. This is the postcard-perfect weather that the Maldives are famed for, but you’ll want to seek shade in a hammock or beside a poolside cocktail bar around early afternoon.
What is the cheapest month to go to the Maldives?
The low season (May to November) is usually the least expensive time to visit the Maldives, but of course this is a luxury travel destination and the Maldives is never exactly cheap. Look at March-April (avoiding Easter vacations) and September-October (usually the wettest months) for the best deals.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives for a honeymoon?
The best time for Maldives honeymoons is during the peak dry season from November to April. You can expect the sunniest, warmest weather and ideal conditions for diving, snorkelling and cruising. If you’re looking for a more of a budget Maldives honeymoon, consider coming in the low season when the weather is wetter but there are plenty of good deals available on luxury resorts.
When is the best time of year for diving in the Maldives?
December to May is the best time for scuba diving in the Maldives, as well as for snorkelling. The sea is warm and calm during these months, and visibility is excellent too. Some divers, however, do prefer to come during the rainy season as, while visibility is not so good, there is a lot of plankton which attracts manta rays and whale sharks.
When should you avoid the Maldives?
The worst time of year to visit the Maldives in terms of weather tends to be September and October – usually the wettest, stormiest months of the year. Even so, rainy days are still punctuated by plenty of sun, and there are lots of good deals to be had for those wanting to enjoy the Maldives on a budget.
Ruth Franklin, co-founder of our Maldives specialists Secret Paradise, suggests giving May a miss: “The weather is not as predictable as it used to be. But if there were to be a month to avoid at present, I think it’s May, when the changeover between monsoons is the most unsettled.”
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