Best Time to Visit Maldives
Since the Maldives experiences a stable humid and warm climate throughout the year, the best time to visit Maldives is literally any time of the year! The island nation sees two seasons broadly as against the traditional seasons worldwide, which are the dry (north-east) monsoon season and the wet (south-west) monsoon season. What’s interesting is that the North and South Atolls see opposite seasons. The southern Atolls see the highest amount of rainfall between November-March and the northern atolls experience the heaviest rainfall from May-November.Though every island here has its microclimate, the average temperature throughout the year remains around 28°C. So the best season to visit Maldives is determined by your style of vacation, budget, and if you want to see any specific marine life. The dry monsoon months are the best to enjoy the stupendous outdoors. Since the days are long and sunny, you can spend time shopping, seeing the grand mosques & palaces, try the delicious traditional cuisine, indulge in watersports, and see the incredible marine life of coral reefs, moray eels, turtles, manta rays, etc.
Though the wet monsoon season brings storm-like conditions and heavy torrential downpours, this is when surfing enthusiasts visit the Maldives from around the world. The perfect wind and rain conditions create waves up to a height of 20 feet. These wet months also mark the starting of the diving season. Since not too many people visit during these months, you can enjoy scores of activities without burning a hole in your pocket.
Maldives in Summer
Long sunny days at the beach, sun-kissed miles of the ocean, short bursts of cool rains, balmy outdoorsy weather in the evenings, and the official start of the surfing season- that’s how summers look like in the Maldives. Summers form a part of the dry monsoon season here.
Months: Summer season runs from December to April.
Why you should visit in summer: The Maldives is a paradise in summers especially for travellers who love the sun-drenched beauty of the beaches and fresh salty ocean breeze. Humidity levels are the lowest during this time making it the best season to visit Maldives. Since this is the busiest season in the Maldives, you can expect the costs (food, accommodation, and travel) to go up and will find the tourist places to be crowded.
Places to visit and activities to do during summer: These months, due to extended hours of sunshine, offer excellent visibility for diving and snorkelling, making it the best time to visit Maldives to explore the stunning underwater life.
The tides and water temperatures are just about right to see large schools of manta rays swimming through the crystal-clear waters. Baa Atoll, a UNESCO protected World Biosphere Reserve is considered to be the largest Manta Ray feeding station in the world and is a must-visit. This is the best time to go to Maldives, especially Hanifaru Bay, to enjoy whale spotting.
Other amazing water sports to enjoy during this time are water flying, fun tubing, parasailing, stand up paddling, kite surfing, etc. especially during February, due to high visibility, making it the best month to visit Maldives. This is the best time to see the stunning city of Male on foot. Take a full-day walking tour to see iconic landmarks like the National Museum, Sultan Park, Mulee Aage Palace, Grand Friday Mosque, local markets, the Republic Square, etc.
Take a sunset cruise on a traditional Dhoni (boat) for getting close views of a gorgeous sunset and glimpses of the rich underwater life of dolphins, turtles, and coral reefs. Enjoy an island hopping tour to see the exotic beauty of Maafushi famous for snorkelling, South Male known for its markets, Biyadhoo known for its scuba diving sites, and Baros for undulated tropical beauty. See the beautiful Maldivian culture up and close and try the delicious local food.
Average temperature of night and day: The average temperatures range between 28-31°C during the summer months.
Also Read: Best Resorts in Maldives
Maldives in Winter
Months: December to February are the winter months in the Maldives.
Why you should visit in winter: These months are when this tropical paradise reveals its splendorous beauty both underwater and on the land, making it the best time to visit Maldives. The festivity and vibrant cheerful energy in the air is palpable with happy revellers people travelling from all over the world to celebrate new beginnings. This, however, leads to accommodation, food, and travel prices going up making the trip a little expensive.
Places to visit and activities to do during winter: The Maldives adorn a merry and colourful avatar during the Christmas and New Year holidays, making it the best time to visit Maldives to enjoy the festivities. There are days of unending revelry of gala dinners, cocktail and dance parties, midnight boat rides, etc. Some of the best places to visit are Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Reethi Rah Resort at Baa Atoll, Anantara Kihavah Villas on the Kihavah Huravalhi island.
Since there are lesser rains and the waters calmer, these months are the best to view the stunning marine underwater life, making this the best season to visit Maldives. Head over to diving spots like Maafushi, Addu Atoll, Maaya Thila, etc. to spot beautiful coral reefs, frogfish, sharks, barracuda, nudibranchs, etc.
Maldives is one of the world’s best fishing destinations to fish prize catches like emperors, squirrelfish, mackerels, red snapper, etc. at the best fishing spots like Guraidhoo Islands, Hulhumale, Male, etc.
When in the Maldives, you can’t miss taking a unique and offbeat sandbank trip. These aquatic patches of stark white sands on barren islands surrounded by azure shimmering waters never fail to allure anybody. This trip can be combined by a romantic bonfire, camping, and food. Some of the best sites to see stunning sandbanks are at Kuredu Islands, Maafushi Island, and Huraa Island.
Average temperature of night and day: The average temperatures range between 25-30°C during the winter season.
Suggested Read: 55 Places To see in Maldives
Maldives in Monsoon
Just like any tropical destination, the Maldives see heavy bursts of rain that clear up in a short time. The rainfall here can be termed as torrential accompanied by fast cyclonic winds and muggy humidity.Months: The monsoon season extends from May-November.
Why you should visit in monsoon: Despite being the wettest months, the months of May-November still offer a plethora of amazing activities and experiences. This is the beginning of the Ramadan festivities and the diving season. Since this season comes with a possibility of whole day rains and the risk of storms, not many people visit the Maldives during this time.
So, you can hope to have the whole place, be it the resorts or the attractions, to yourself! The cost of accommodation, travel, and food comes down drastically letting you enjoy much more while spending less, making it the best time to go to Maldives on a budget.
Places to visit and activities to do during monsoon: The best and the largest surfing waves were created during this time at Central and South Atolls due to the strong off-shore winds, making it the best season to visit Maldives to enjoy surfing.
Some of the best surfing spots are in the North Male Atolls known for waves like the Chickens, Coke’s, Sultans, Honky’s, Jails, Lohis, etc. South Male Atolls also offers splendid waves like Guru’s, Riptides, Twin Peaks, etc. Visit Thaa Atoll in Central Atolls to experience ‘Outside Mikado’ the most powerful and consistent waves in the Maldives.
While the visibility is low, June is the best month to visit Maldives to see the maximum number of manta rays and sharks as they come out to feed on the planktons, making it one of the best windows for diving here.
Ramadan festivities begin in May, making it one of the best month to visit Maldives, and you can expect traditional aftaris and late-night binging at food streets.
In case your day is spent inside due to rains, spend the evening taking a fun street food tour. Head over to street cafes, local markets in Male, Chandhanee Magu, etc. to try traditional Maldivian food like Bis Keemiyaa, Mashuni, Kavaabu, Dhon Riha, and the creamy coconut-based curries. Don’t miss trying desserts like Bodibiday.
Average temperature of night and day: The average temperatures range between 25-30°C during the monsoon months.
Check Out: 51 Water Villas in Maldives
