24 September 2024 | Latest News
The Maldives, an archipelago of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean, is rated as Asia's top tourist destination. The country is home to sapphire waters, crystal-clear beaches, and scenic views. The nation, covering a land area of around 298 square kilometres, welcomes millions of tourists every year. However, the Maldives is not the same year-round. The temperature and rainfall vary month by month, leaving tourists wondering when’s the best time to visit the Maldives.
If you are one of the millions planning to visit the Maldives this year or the next and wondering what’s the ideal window to pack your bags, you are at the right place. This month-by-month guide will walk you through the Maldivian weather and how this marvel of a land looks each month.
Isn’t it better to know before how the Maldives will appear during a certain time of the year? Our guide not only focuses on the weather but also discusses the size of the crowd and expected prices.
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Let’s begin our guide with January. January is the epitome of Maldivian tourism. The weather is excellent for touring the island nation. Hovering around 27°C to 30°C, the mercury levels are ideal for a swim in some of the most scenic and relaxing waters in the world. Moreover, the rainfall, standing at 75 millimetres, is one of the lowest in the year.
The beaches are crisp, and the skies are clear. The sunset views give an out-of-this-world experience during January. This time is also ideal to enjoy adrenaline-rushing watersports.
One important factor to consider when travelling to the Maldives in January is high pricing and crowd swathes. Early January is busy due to Christmas, so expect high prices and occupancy in resorts.
With a temperature pretty similar to that of January but lower rainfall at 50 millimetres, February gets more visitors than January. February is also our top pick to travel to the Maldives. But with nice weather comes more prices. You’ll see some of the highest resort and ticket prices this year. Even booking in advance won’t help much.
One way to navigate the rush and high prices is to avoid the Chinese New Year. The date for 2024 was February 10, but for 2025, it is January 29th. We guess the Maldives is going to get a lot busier than usual in late January and early February next year!
The conditions are best for sunbathing, scuba diving, and enjoying the calm sunsets. The warm and slightly sunny conditions will make for a perfect trip for people travelling from the UK and other European countries.
March is another top contender for the best time to visit the Maldives. Being the last month of the Maldivian dry season, which runs from December to early April, it hosts plenty of tourists. The weather is slightly warmer, with temperatures going up to 31°C and rainfall touching 73 millimetres.
The prices are still on the higher side due to nice weather, but you can get good deals towards the end of the month.
March casts a magical spell on the already amazing beauty of the Maldivian Islands. The azure waters and crystal-white beaches will make you fall in love every day. Visitors can engage in snorkelling, scuba diving, and swimming with the unique and rare marine species.
The dawn of April also marks the start of the Maldivian rainy season. Many still rate it as the best time to visit the Maldives. However, ensure you compare the prices with the upcoming months, as you don’t get the benefit of dry weather while paying high rates.
The European Easter 2025 falls on April 20th. It will probably see a lot of tourists. So, it isn’t a good idea to travel to the Maldives unless you are planning a special Easter holiday.
April witnesses up to 10 hours of daily sunshine, with temperatures soaring up to 32°C. The clouds also gain momentum and soak the islands up to 132 millimeters. Overall, the temperature is fine for visiting this gorgeous country, and you can enjoy sun-soaked activities and watersports.
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The momentum gained in April reaches its peak during May and also later in September. The rainfall in May rockets up to 216 millimetres, but the temperature starts to fall to the usual average of 28–30 °C. The sunshine also falls back to 8 hours daily.
All these happenings open a window for budget travellers as resorts and airlines reduce prices. But be ready to brace yourself for some potentially dangerous weather. We recommend not travelling with your family or going on a honeymoon in May, as there is a serious risk of storms during this month. However, May in the Maldives is perfect for adventure seekers who love to have some fun and also enjoy a peaceful and quiet vacation.
Quite surprisingly, the rainfall takes a dip in June and July. The month in focus here, June, stays in the normal temperature range of 28–30 °C with 8 hours of sunshine and around 170 millimetres of rain. The conditions are generally hot and humid, so visitors should pack accordingly.
The crowds are fewer than in the dry season. The resorts and airlines also offer cost-saving deals. Overall, June is not a bad time to visit the country, but be mindful of extended rain showers and potential storms.
The weather in July is pretty much the same as in June, but with slightly lower rainfalls of around 150 millimetres.
Other than the scenic views and wonderful beauty, July also brings Maldivian independence day on the 26th. The locals celebrate this day with full zeal and vigor. The main attractions of the day include National Security Services and National Cadet Corps parades. The festivities also include performances by the children and festivals held by the locals.
August sees a surge in rainfall, but the temperature and humidity remain the same. This time of the year is characterised by regular showers that can last up to days.
However, unlike the previous months, the end of July and the whole of August are not cheap for holidaying in the Maldives. The summer vacations in Europe and North America see an influx of family tourists cashing in on the school holidays.
The month of September receives special attention from the raining gods. The cloud cover is unignorably dense, and the rain tally is up to 250 millimeters. The temperature, however, remains in the average range of 27–31 °C with 8 hours of sunshine.
September is the best time to visit the Maldives for budget travellers looking for cheap deals. The crowds are fewer, and many resorts offer high-end rooms at lower rates to attract customers. All these features also make September ideal for solo travellers and couples who prefer quiet and calm. But be mindful of frequent rain showers before making your travel itinerary.
October signals the end of the wet season and the start of the dry season. However, the rainfall is still ample, averaging between 200 and 222 millimeters. The resorts are not too crowded and offer affordable rates.
All these factors make October a nice time to visit the Maldives. The showers are generally short bursts, but the risk of storms is still there. Visitors can benefit from lower rates and less occupancy.
With November, comes the best time to visit the Maldives. As soon as the weather starts to improve, the crowds start to swell. Visitors flock in from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty of the Maldives. The slight improvement in weather hikes up the rates, so it is better to book in advance to get early bird discounts.
The rainfall is around 220 millimetres but only lasts for around 10–12 days at the beginning of the month. However, you cannot rule out the possibility of a long rainy spell, so come prepared. November has lots of light as the cloud cover starts to shed.
November also calls for outdoor fun. You can enjoy outdoor adventures such as snorkelling and water sports. A game of golf and basking in the beautiful sunsets are also highlights.
The Maldives in December is an ideal place to visit if you aren’t afraid to take up crowded streets and buzzing resorts. The rainfall is still higher than January to March window, but the average sunshine increases by up to 8 hours. You will encounter some clouds, but they’ll pass away soon.
This is the time when European and American travellers start to pack their bags and head to the Maldives to spend Christmas. The hotel prices are quite high compared to the wet season. Some even impose a minimum stay limit.
However, you can still squeeze in a short trip to enjoy the best time to visit the Maldives. The experts recommend booking well in advance for the first 10 days of December.
Also known as the high or peak season to visit, the dry season runs from November to early April. The so-called “dry season” doesn’t guarantee that you will get rainless spells. Rains are part and parcel of Maldivian weather.
This season is best for people who don’t have budget restrictions, families, and honeymooners. The nation is fully alive and buzzing during this time. All the resorts offer their best services at premium rates.
The wet season, or off-peak season, running from late April until October has mixed patterns. The rainfall varies but stays on the high end. These months may also see tropical storms, so prepare ahead before leaving.
An interesting trend during the wet season is the influx of visitors from Europe and North America during late July and August. The reason is summer vacations in these continents. The prices during these two months are higher compared to other months in the wet season.
The Maldives is an Islamic country, and the locals observe fasting. However, foreign tourists don’t see much of a change because meals and alcohol are served in resorts without any restrictions. One important thing to note here is that you may be asked to cover your head and wear full clothing while travelling to local villages during the month.
You can select the best time to visit the Maldives as per your liking and leave the rest to Virikson Holidays. We offer the best Maldivian tour packages from the UK at the most affordable rates. Our packages are all-inclusive and designed by professional travel agents. We know how to make your journey memorable, so come and experience a heavenly journey with us.
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