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Maldives Weather: Best Time to Visit

Weather for Maldives is famous for its constant temperatures all year round, somewhere between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, and makes these islands a great destination for watersports and beach lovers.

The island of Maldives is located very close to the Equator so it has a tropical climate with hot weather all year round and is influenced by the monsoons.

Weather in Maldives is best for visiting from November and April, when it is the dry season, as the temperatures are constant and the quantity of rain is almost 0 mm.

Maldives does not have winter and summer, but it does have a dry season and rainy season, which are dictated by the monsoons.

So, we have the southwest monsoon which generally lasts from the end of April to September, when the northern part of the Maldivian archipelago register stronger winds, strong water currents, so weather is less favorable for watersports like snorkeling or scuba diving.

During these months the quantity of rain increases, the number of cloudy days is higher and the humidity of the air is quite hard to bear, especially if you are not used to these conditions.

And then there is the northeastern monsoon which generally lasts from October to December and it comes with light rain and a few thunderstorms in the afternoon, especially in the southern part of the archipelago.

The driest months of the year are January, February, March, and part of April when the weather is perfect for bathing and watersports as the water has maximum visibility and it is incredibly warm perfect for diving and snorkeling.

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Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort in Maldives
Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort in Maldives

Weather for Maldives: the temperatures

What I really like about the weather in the Maldives is the fact that the lowest temperatures rarely drop below 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) and rarely exceed 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit).

The hottest period of the year is from February to May when temperatures might exceed 32 or 33 degrees Celsius (90 or 91 degrees Fahrenheit).

Month Min Max
January25°C (77°F)30°C (86°F)
February26°C (79°F)30°C (86°F)
March26°C (79°F)31°C (88°F)
April26°C (79°F)31°C (88°F)
May26°C (79°F)32°C (90°F)
June25°C (79°F)30°C (86°F)
July25°C (77°F)30°C (86°F)
August25°C (77°F)30°C (86°F)
September25°C (77°F)30°C (86°F)
October25°C (77°F)30°C (86°F)
November25°C (77°F)30°C (86°F)
December25°C (77°F)30°C (86°F)

Weather in Maldives: humidity

The humidity index is quite high all year round, with values that exceed 80% during the whole year.

During certain moments of the day, the humidity index might increase and this makes the temperatures higher than they actually are.

Kuramathi Maldives Water Villas
Kuramathi Maldives Water Villas

Weather in the Maldives: rain

As it happens in many other tropical areas, in the Maldives the rain that falls mostly occurs as short and intense showers or thunderstorms.

The southern atolls are more abundant in rainfalls than the northern islands with an average of 2,300 millimeters per year, while the average raindrop for the northern part is around 1,750 millimeters per year.

The difference in rainfalls between the northern atolls and the southern ones is that the northern and central part of Maldives has a relatively dry season that lasts from January to mid-April, while the southern part has more precipitation even during the so-called dry season.

Month days milimeters
January10200
February10137
March13147
April14171
May15220
June12190
July15195
August15215
September17260
October17280
November15200
December15220

Weather for Maldives- sea temperature

The sea temperature is warm all year round with temperatures between 28 to 30 degrees Celsius (82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

The sea temperature is like tea, as one of the tourists was telling his girlfriend while he was bathing in the sea at 8 o’clock in the evening.

Weather Maldives monthly basis

The best time to visit the Maldives is during the so-called dry season, which generally lasts from January to April, but during these months the prices for hotels, restaurants, transportation, and even watersports are higher.

There are other times perfect for visiting and exploring Maldives, without breaking your budget.

Fushifaru Maldives Water Villas
Fushifaru Maldives Water Villas

Let’s discover together how the weather is on a monthly basis and discover together which other months are perfect for visiting the Maldives.

Weather of Maldives in January

January is definitely a great month to visit Maldives and people from all over the world rush to get the best resort for the most amazing experience of their lives.

It is the dry season in the Maldives, which means that the quantity of rain is really low, with fewer clouds and quite insignificant precipitation.

You have plenty of sun for relaxing on the beach, bathing in the turquoise ocean, or trying all kinds of watersports.

Average air temperature: 25 -29°C
Average ocean temperature: 28°C
Humidity level: 77%
No of hours of sun: 8 hours
Rainfall: 76 mm

Because of its great weather, Maldives is the perfect escape for those who love sunny and warm days.

When in your hometown is freezing cold, snow, and negative temperatures what could be more relaxing and exciting than enjoying the tropical vibe in a top-notch resort?!

Best accommodation for January

Reethi Faru Maldives is the best choice for your January escape, located about 45 minutes seaplane from Male International Airport.

This resort is surrounded by white sandy beaches, lots of greenery, and shallow waters that merge with the deep blue ocean.

Reethi Beach Resort Room
Reethi Beach Resort Room
Reethi Beach Resort Island
Reethi Beach Resort Island

The centerpiece of the resort is the Reef House, Dove Center your gateway to a completely new and fascinating world, the underwater world abundant in marine creatures and beautiful reef just a dozen of meters from the shore.

Weather of Maldives in February

It is the peak season for Maldives in February so everybody is rushing to get the most of an exotic holiday in Paradise.

February is the driest month of the year, so expect little or no rain at all during the whole month as the weather for Maldives in February is perfect for your holiday.

Saii Lagoon Maldives Curio Collection by Hilton
Saii Lagoon Maldives Curio Collection by Hilton

The average temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) during the daytime and maybe just 1 or 2 degrees less during the night.

It is the ideal combination of heat, rainfall, and humidity so that you can enjoy your holiday in these islands located south of India.

The underwater visibility is among the best so you definitely should book snorkeling tours as well as scuba diving tours as you have great weather conditions for observing marine life.

Average air temperature: 26 -29°C
Average ocean temperature: 28°C
Humidity level: 77%
No of hours of sun: 9 hours
Rainfall: 50 mm

Best accommodation for February

What you will find at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is quite hard to describe in words so it is not a surprise for anybody that here you will find the best Maldives hotel on water.

The resort is located just a 20-minute boat ride from Male on a small coral island, which makes it the perfect destination for your Maldivian experience.

Riu Atoll Maldives Pool
Riu Atoll Maldives Pool

The design of the resort was inspired by the very famous Robinson Crusoe book and you will find copies of Defoe’s items inside your villa.

Actually, the water villas remind me of a wooden boat floating at sea so you definitely have to book at least one night in these rustic but luxurious hats.

Weather for Maldives in March

Long and sunny days with about 9 hours of sun await you in March in the Maldives so that you can enjoy more of this beautiful place.

The temperatures during the daytime are among the highest of the year, easily reaching 30 or 31 degrees Celsius (86 or 88 degrees Fahrenheit).

Riu Atoll Maldives Resort
Riu Atoll Maldives Resort

You might experience some rain during your stay but you don’t have to worry about it as most of the rains are just afternoon showers, nothing to annoy you or ruin your holiday.

Because of the increased humidity and the high temperatures, rains that fall relief just chill the air a little bit and make the heat more bearable.

The underwater visibility is still great so hurry up and book your seat at a snorkeling tour and a scuba diving tour.

More than that, March marks the beginning of the surf season in the Maldives so it’s a great time to perfect your skills or why not learn the secrets of this amazing sport.

Average air temperature: 27-31°C
Average ocean temperature: 29°C
Humidity level: 77%
No of hours of sun: 9 hours
Rainfall: 73 mm

Best accommodation for March

Ranked as one of the most luxury resorts in the Maldives, One Only Reethi Rah Maldives is located about 40 minutes seaplane ride from Maldives International Airport and what is interesting about it is that about 60% of the island is made from reclaimed land.

Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort Private Beach Maldives
Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort Private Beach Maldives

This hotel gives a new meaning to the word luxury and is one of the top destinations among celebrities from all over the world who visited Maldives.

More than 800 employees from all over the world take care of you and make sure that everything goes smoothly and you have the best holiday ever.

Weather of Maldives in April

April is the most popular time of the year for visiting Maldives so expect higher prices and lots of tourists on airports and speedboats.

The average daily temperature is around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) while the ocean temperature is still warm, perfect for bathing and watersports.

It is a great time to go to the beach, swim, and try all kinds of watersports, but expect higher prices than in the low season.

Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort atol
Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort atol

The second part of April comes with some changes in weather conditions, as it is the start of the monsoon season.

This means that starting with the second half of April, the precipitations will increase, but you will still have enough hours of sunshine to perfect your tan.

The Eastern holiday brings a lot of tourists all across the Maldivian archipelago, as people come to celebrate Jesus Resurrection, a holiday that also marks the beginning of the rainy season.

Average air temperature: 27-31°C
Average ocean temperature: 30°C 86°F
Humidity level: 79%
No of hours of sun: 8 hours
Rainfall: 135 mm

Best accommodation for April

Located 45 minutes seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, Soneva Jani Maldives is considered by many experts one of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives.

The resort blends in the landscape with its muted tones of purple and green and its beautiful alleys from reclaimed wood that connect the villas with the common areas.

emerald maldives resort and spa Water Villas
emerald maldives resort and spa Water Villas

The staff from the island is among the most professional and well trained from the Maldivian archipelago.

They immediately learn your name, your habits, and your preferences so that you can feel totally relaxed and spoiled.

Weather for Maldives in May

May is the first month of the rainy season, but the temperatures are still high with an average of 28 degrees Celsius and plenty of days with sun and no rain.

Still, it is the beginning of the monsoon season so expect some tropical rains which bring heavy showers and a few thunderstorms.

After such a heavy rain the underwater visibility is not that good, but you can still go snorkeling and scuba if you have a few days with the sun.

Saii Lagoon Maldives Curio Collection by Hilton Water Villa
Saii Lagoon Maldives Curio Collection by Hilton Water Villa

And there is also the plankton which reduces the visibility of the water, but on the other hand, is a good time of the year to observe the bioluminescence lighting the water like stars from the sky.

The underwater visibility might be reduced, but the plankton attracts manta rays and sharks quite close to the shore, so it is a great period to swim with these giants quite close to your water villa.

Average air temperature: 26-30°C
Average ocean temperature: 30°C
Humidity level: 81%
No of hours of sun: 7 hours
Rainfall: 218 mm

Best accommodation for May

Located 40 minutes seaplane ride from Velana International airport, Fushifaru Maldives is surrounded by one of the healthiest coral reefs from the Maldives, unaffected by the 2016 bleaching event).

So, yes, the waters around this private island resort are packed with beautiful coral reefs, colorful fishes, dolphins, and other spectacular marine creatures that can hardly be seen anywhere else in the Maldivian archipelago.

Fushifaru Maldives Resort
Fushifaru Maldives Resort
Fushifaru Maldives Sunset Beach Villa
Fushifaru Maldives Sunset Beach Villa

Very close to the island can be found 3 of the most important diving spots from Maldives including Fushifaru Kan’du which is a Marine Protected area, Fushifaru Thila, the most iconic diving sports from the area and an important marine cleaning station, a good place to spot manta rays, turtles and other marine creatures.

Weather of Maldives in June

The temperatures in June are around 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) but sometimes it might reach up to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

The humidity index is quite high, while the number of daylight hours is among the lowest of the whole year.

The number of rainy days is quite significant, but there are some periods with the sun when you can enjoy the Maldivian beauty.

The northern part of the peninsula experiences stronger winds and strong sea currents, and this makes Northern Maldivian the perfect destination for surfing, sailing, and kitesurfing.

The increased quantity of rain significantly reduces the underwater visibility, but the rich plankton attracts close to the sea an impressive number of marine creatures like manta rays, whale sharks, and others.

Average air temperature: 26-29°C
Average ocean temperature: 29°C
Humidity level: 80%
No of hours of sun: 6.5 hours
Rainfall: 175 mm

Best accommodation for June

Located on Raa Atoll, about 45 minutes seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, Kudafushi Resort Spa Maldives is the perfect relaxation oasis far from city noise and pollution.

The design of the hotel is simple and blends in with nature, the villas have a good size and some of them come with an outdoor bathroom which is amazing.

Kudafushi Maldives Sea Plane Maldivian
Kudafushi Maldives Sea Plane Maldivian

This island resort has 107 villas spread on the island and in the water, some of them having their own private pools.

What I like at this hotel is that you have intimacy and even if the resort is full you still have plenty of space for yourself and your family.

Weather for Maldives in July

July is another beautiful month from the low season that comes with lower prices, fewer tourists, and a few thunderstorms.

The number of hours of daylight increased compared with June, while the average temperature is still high, around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit).

These are the new essentials you have to pack for your trip

Because of the increased humidity, you will easily predict a significant quantity of rain that will drop almost daily.

Kudafushi Resort and spa Pool
Kudafushi Resort and spa Pool

The wind is still strong, especially in the northern part of the archipelago, so surfers rush to these northern atolls to ride the waves and have fun.

Like the previous months from the rainy season, July comes with reduced underwater visibility but the rich plankton attracts many marine creatures, so keep in mind the idea of snorkeling or diving in the waters around your resort.

It is a great time to visit Maldives as in July the country celebrates Independence Day, a good opportunity to party with locals and see a glimpse of the Maldivian culture.

Average air temperature: 26-29°C
Average ocean temperature: 29°C
Humidity level: 79%
No of hours of sun: 7.5 hours
Rainfall: 150 mm

Best accommodation for July

Located on the South Male Atoll within a short speedboat ride from the international airport, Velassaru Maldives , one of the most beautiful Maldives resorts near Male awaits its guests on a secluded island, far from city pollution and noise.

Surrounded by turquoise waters and pristine beaches, the WOW factor on arrival is assured.

Sun Syam Vilu Reef Dome Presidential Villa
Sun Syam Vilu Reef Dome Presidential Villa

You will fall in love with this small corner of paradise from the moment you will step on the island.

The area has a slightly younger vibe and is preferred mostly by couples and honeymooners.

Weather of Maldives in August

August comes with an average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and short showers and thunderstorms spread all over the month.

The humidity is still increased and the only relief is the afternoon showers and occasional thunderstorms that drop especially in the afternoon.

Riu Atoll Maldives Pool
Riu Atoll Maldives Pool

The underwater visibility is still poor, but the rich plankton attracts an impressive number of fish and marine creatures close to the shore.

Divers and snorkeling are great ways to spot these marine creatures like manta rays and whale sharks that usually don’t come so close to the shore.

Average air temperature: 26-29°C
Average ocean temperature: 29°C
Humidity level: 80%
No of hours of sun: 7 hours
Rainfall: 190 mm

Best accommodation for August

Just 20 minutes seaplane flight from Male International Airport, Kuramathi Maldives is a great choice for those of you looking the experience Maldivian hospitality and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Indian Ocean.

The hotel comes with 2 oceanfront infinity pools and a freshwater pool nestles between palm trees where you can relax all day long.

Velassaru Maldives Water Villa with Pooll
Velassaru Maldives Water Villa with Pooll

Spread on 1.8 kilometers, the beach villas and the overwater villas welcome their guests hidden in abundant vegetation or overlooking the ocean.

Some of the villas come with an outstanding outdoor bathroom with a shower, which is a must-try experience on your Maldivian holiday.

Weather for Maldives in September

September is the wettest month of the whole year in the Maldives, with more than 240 mm of precipitation all over the month.

As you already might expect, the temperature is still high, with an average of 30 degrees Celsius, but you won’t have more than 6-6.5 hours of sun.

To be honest with you, September is among the most unpopular months of the year to visit Maldives.

Weather of Maldives in March Velassaru Maldives Atol
Velassaru Maldives Atol

But this thing comes with advantages and here I am talking about the prices, which are definitely the lowest of the whole year.

If rain does not bother you, then you should consider September with an average of 25 degrees of Celsius when planning your trip to this beautiful paradise.

Average air temperature: 25-29°C
Average ocean temperature: 29°C
Humidity level: 81%
No of hours of sun: 6.5 hours
Rainfall: 245 mm

Best accommodation for September

One of the most interesting Maldives resorts is Riu Palace Maldives located on the private island of Kedhigandu, about 45 minutes seaplane flight from Male International airport.

Riu Palace Maldivas
Riu Palace Maldivas

Once you step on the island you simply forget about the daily problems and relax in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

This island resort accommodates its guests in 150 beach villas and overwaters suites, some of them having their own private pools.

Weather of Maldives in October

October is the month with the highest humidity of the entire year, more than 83% which is quite hard for the human body to bear.

It rains quite a lot and the average temperature drops to about 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit).

Riu Palace Maldivas Water Villas resorts in the Maldives
Riu Palace Maldivas Water Villas resorts in the Maldives

The good news is that October is the last month of the rainy season and is one of the best months to spot whale sharks and manta rays around the islands from the Maldivian archipelago.

After so many months with rain, the ocean temperature drops by one degree, but it is still warm enough to take a bath.

Because of the increased quantity of precipitation, October is not a very popular month among tourists from all over the world and this translates into lower prices and more options to choose from.

Average air temperature: 25-29°C
Average ocean temperature: 28°C
Humidity level: 83%
No of hours of sun: 7.5 hours
Rainfall: 232 mm

Best accommodation for October

You will fall in love with Soneva Fushi Maldives from the moment you step on the island as this is definitely home to one of the most spectacular and romantic Maldives huts on the water.

The list of the celebrities that spend their honeymoon here is very long and this is not a surprise taking into consideration the level of services and the amazing scenery from the island.

The Maldives Islands Sea Plane
The Maldives Islands Sea Plane

This island resort comes with 8 overwater bungalows with huge windows overlooking the ocean, private pools, and romantic patios, perfect for your Maldivian experience.

Weather for Maldives in November

The last month of the low season comes with warm temperatures and sunny days, especially during the second half of the month.

The average temperatures are around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit), while the quantity of precipitation slightly decreases.

Constance Moofushi Maldives Water villas
Constance Moofushi Maldives Water villas

The number of raindrops significantly and you will most have a few showers in the afternoon and quite rare thunderstorms.

November marks the end of the wet season and the beginning of the dry season, so if you plan to visit Maldives you should consider the second part of this month for your trip.

The prices are lower, while the tourists haven’t arrived yet, so it is a great time to explore and visit this archipelago.

Average air temperature: 24-29°C
Average ocean temperature: 29°C
Humidity level: 81%
No of hours of sun: 7.5 hours
Rainfall: 199 mm

Best accommodation for November

Set in a secluded island about 30 minutes seaplane from Velana International Airport, Constance Moofushi is the perfect mix of simplicity and luxury, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking accommodation.

More than 30 important diving sites are found within 30 minutes away from the property so a snorkeling trip or a diving experience are must do things while on the island.

Constance Moofushi Maldives villas
Constance Moofushi Maldives villas

The design of the hotel is simple with pastel colors and nature-friendly materials that give a chick and relaxing vibe.

The resort comes with two overwater types of villas: the normal overwater bungalow and the senior water villas, exactly what you expect from a Maldivian experience.

Weather of Maldives in December

December officially marks the beginning of the dry season, but you should still expect some showers in the afternoon, especially in the first part of the month.

The temperatures in December are perfect for bathing and laying in the sun, with an average of 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit).

Tropical Beach at Maldives Islands Atoll
Tropical Beach at Maldives Islands Atoll

Many tourists choose the Maldives to spend their winter holiday, Christmas, and New Year Celebration, so you’d better rush to book a room and a seat on the plane.

The prices start to rise and during the winter events, they record a significant increase compared to the previous months.

Average air temperature: 25-29°C
Average ocean temperature: 28.5°C
Humidity level: 81%
No of hours of sun: 7 hours
Rainfall: 230 mm

Best accommodation for December

To be honest with you it is quite hard not to be impressed by W Maldives , one of the most beautiful Maldives huts on the water part of Marriott group.

There are wooden alleys spread over the island that go to the overwater bungalows surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean full of fish and marine creatures.

emerald maldives resort and spa Water Villas
Maldives resort and spa Water Villas

Once you get here you will fall in love with this place and will want to come back again next year.

I was impressed not just by the modern and futuristic overwater villas but also by the spa with its outdoor and indoor rooms and the long list of treatments and massages they offer.

Conclusion: Best weather to go to Maldives

Obviously, the best weather to go to Maldives is during the dry season, from November to April, when it is the best time of year to visit Maldives.

The main downside during these months is the increased prices, but the weather is absolutely perfect for watersports, swimming, and perfecting your tan.

Fushifaru Maldives Resort
Fushifaru Maldives Resort

If rain does not bother you so much, then you should consider the Maldives at the beginning of the rainy season, in May, or at the end of it, in November.

During these two months the prices are lower, the tourists fewer, the weather for Maldives is great and so you have more options to choose from.

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation

We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance

We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money, plus COVID coverage.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected events and cost like illness, COVID, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.