Weather of Maldives in January is perfect for sunbathing and exploring the shallow waters around the islands and atolls.

The island nation of Maldives is located very close to the equator, so it has relatively constant temperatures all year round.

The Republic of Maldives is formed from 26 atolls located in the Indian Ocean quite close to Sri Lanka and India.

The highest point of the country is just 2 meters above sea level and the islands are surrounded by coral reefs that protect the islands against natural phenomena.

The islands are famous for the beautiful scenery, turquoise waters and perfect weather, not to mention the interesting attractions and amazing activities you can try.

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Fushifaru Maldives Water Villas

How Maldives were formed?

It might sound strange, but the islands of Maldives are nothing but the peaks of a volcano that erupted a long time ago.

As the land was swallowed by the ocean, corals begin to populate the area and form one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Indian Ocean.

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Year after year the reef grew and today it is a massive barrier of reef that protects the area against natural disasters.

Maldives is not just the lowest country on Earth in terms of ground level, with a maximum height of 2 meters above sea level, but it is also the smallest country from the Asian continent.

Weather of Maldives in January

The weather in the Maldives is mild and warm all year round, with a lot of sun and warm waters even during the winter months, and January is definitely the best time to visit Maldives.

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Actually, the archipelago does not have the 4 seasons which we are used to: winter, spring, summer, and autumn.

But it has the rainy season or the monsoon season which lasts from April till October and the dry season that last from November till April.

What’s the weather like in the Maldives in January

January is famous for its great weather in the Maldivian islands; it is not very hot, nor very rainy.

Actually, January is among the coolest months of the year with an average temperature around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the daytime and 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) during the night.

The maximum temperature during the month of January is around 32 degrees Celsius, so take a cocktail and hide under an umbrella to chill a little bit.

Dhigali Maldives

Weather of Maldives in January means that the humidity is quite high, around 80% which makes the heat harder to bear, and there are plenty of days with sun and no rain.

The quantity of rain is almost nil as the wet season is far so you have a maxim of 5 days of rain, especially in the first part of the month.

In the first part of January, stronger winds might be recorded because of the so-called “furajala”, a southwestern wind that blows and disturbs the islands.

Ocean temperature and swimming

Maldives is a year-round destination, with warm waters and an average water temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit).

January is a good time for watersports activities, especially for snorkeling and scuba diving as the visibility is great and the water temperature is perfect for bathing.

Constance Moofushi Maldives villas weather of Maldives in January

The maximum visibility is 40 meters in-depth, but the currents can be stronger outside the coral reef, so be careful if you dive outside the reef zone as weather in Maldives in January might be quite unpredictable sometimes.

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

Budget for January trip

January is peak season so prices for accommodation, transportation, and food are quite high as the weather of Maldives in January is perfect time for waterspots and perfecting your tan.

The prices for accommodation are lower for guesthouses, while island resorts are pricier depending on the type of villa and meal plan chosen.

Cocoon Maldives Water Villa Room

On average you can find guesthouses for 20 USD per person per night, while 4- or 5-star hotels start from 500 USD per night.

Here are some ideas for your January trip to the Maldives to have a great time abroad:

• budget: Tourist Inn Maldives located just 600 m from Rasfannu Beach and offering a private bathroom, air conditioning, and flat-screen TV.

Kudafushi Resort and spa Water Villas

• mid-level: Kudafushi Resort Spa Maldives, a beautiful resort located 45 minutes seaplane ride from Male International Airport with more than 100 villas located on the island and overwater with stunning views, spacious villas, and a wonderful outdoor shower
• Luxury: Soneva Jani Maldives with its overwater villas with retractable roofs offering amazing views of the stars and moon, together with wonderful ocean views and an outstanding waterslide.

The most expensive villas are the ones overwater with a private pool whose price might exceed 1000 USD per night with an all-inclusive option.

Overwater villas are a good option for your January holiday as the water is calmer and there is no storm on the sea.

From your private deck, you can jump directly into the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, put on your snorkeling equipment, and observe the rich and colorful marine life from the coral reefs that surround the islands.

What time does the sun set in Maldives in January?

January has many hours of sun, the sun sets usually between 6.10 PM and 6.20 having almost 12 hours of sunshine and almost 9 hours of sun.

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Is the Maldives windy in January?

January might get quite windy during certain days with the winds that blow from the eastern part of India.

The wind blows away all the clouds and lowers humidity, making Maldives the best destination for a winter escape.

Velassaru Maldives Beach Villa with Pool

Weather of Maldives in January and top activities

Snorkeling

What I like most about Maldives and staying on an island resort is that you can snorkel all day long without paying anything, as long as you have your own snorkeling mask.

Outside your villa is the coral reef which hosts an impressive number of fish and other marine creatures like eagle rays, turtles, octopus, Morena eel, and even sharks.

Manta rays and whale sharks are harder to spot, and there are certain periods of the year when you can spot them close to the shore, but fishes are abundant and in various colors.

Red Lionfish Maldives Atoll Fish Snorkeling Indian Ocean

Snorkeling trips are also something that you should not miss as you go in more isolated parts of the reef where the marine life is more abundant than close to the shore.

In a snorkeling trip, I say reef sharks and turtles, while snorkeling near my villa allows me to spot many colorful fishes, an octopus, and even a Morena eel.

As the weather of Maldives in January is friendly most of the resorts organize snorkeling trips and the prices are quite accessible, somewhere around 30 USD per trip.

The underwater visibility is extremely good and the weather in Maldives in January is perfect, one of the best of the entire year, and the guides know the best spots for snorkeling so you definitely have to book a seat on a snorkeling tour.

Scuba diving

Snorkeling is for everybody but diving is for those of you who really love the ocean and want to get closer to marine life.

You need to have a special certificate, a PADI certificate that allows you to dive everywhere in the world including in the Maldives.

Like snorkeling trips, diving trips are organized by most of the resorts from Maldives and you will be accompanied by a certified diver that will show you the underwater world.

Kudafushi Shallow Water Reef Snorkel weather of Maldives in January

Weather in January in Maldives is perfect for diving as the water temperature is around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and the visibility is more than 40 meters in depth.

The best areas for diving in the Maldives in January are the Baa Atoll and the Ari atolls and the price for a diving trip starts from 50 USD per person.

In this price, you have included the equipment, fruits, and soft drinks as well as a towel to get dry after the diving season.

Surfing

The waves might not be the biggest in the world, but the Maldives is definitely a good spot for surfing as long as you don’t come here with high expectations, and you are not looking for a huge wave to ride.

A great place to surf that is also close to Velana International Airport (your main gateway to enter Maldives) is the North Male Atoll, where the currents are stronger, and the waves are perfect for beginners and intermediates.

The highest waves from the whole Maldivian archipelago are recorded near Lhohifushi island where it is held on a yearly basis the world-famous O’Neil Deep Blue Open tournament.

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On the other hand, Male area has a sandy bottom with no corals which is a big plus for those of you who love surfing, but if you are looking for more adrenaline then Lhohifushi island is the right destination for you.

Adaaran Select Huduran Fushi Maldives is our top selection for your overnight stay in the area as the hotel has one of the best price-quality ratios in the area.

The resort is located on a remote island, about 20 kilometers away from the international airport and it comes with all the facilities and amenities you need for a wonderful trip in paradise.

Cycling

Weather of Maldives in January is perfect not just for watersports but also for cycling and many resorts offer bicycles to move around and explore the area.

Between some of the islands, there are bridges and with a bike, you can explore the whole area and discover new and beautiful beaches.

Generally, these bicycles are offered free of charge if you are staying at fancy hotels but you can also rent them for a small fee if you are staying at some guesthouses from the North Male area.

You can stop wherever you want and take some memorable pictures and enjoy a beautiful day in the Maldivian sun, after many hours of bathing and perfecting your tan.

Fishing

The Indian Ocean is famous for its rich biodiversity and no fisherman can stand indifferent to such a challenge.

There are specialized boats that organize fishing tours and all you have to do is to contact the hotel reception or the tour company and get your seat for the next trip.

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You can go fishing on your own, which is more expensive, the price for 8 hours boat trip is around 1,800 USD, or you can choose to be part of a fishing team when the price drop significantly.

The fishing boat comes equipped with a radar and they immediately detect all the fish schools so that you can fully enjoy your experience.

Windsurfing, canoeing, scooters, catamaran trips, water skiing, and banana boat rides are other water activities extremely popular that you can trip there as the weather of Maldives in January is perfect for these experiences.

Things to do in Maldives in January

Fish market

If you are staying in the Male area or if you have some time between your flight and the transfer to the island resort, then you definitely have to go and visit the Fishmarket from Male, which is the main attraction from the area.

Generally, the fresh catch is brought here in the afternoon, so if you want to be in the middle of the action then you should go there after lunch.

This market is a great opportunity to observe locals, as well as their culture and tradition and how is everyday life going.

Big game fishing

Fishing is one of the main income sources for locals so there are all kinds of festivals and contests organized around this daily event.

Big game fishing gives you the unique opportunity to catch everything, from sharks to fish and even eels.

Cocoon Maldives Resort

The most popular time for this sport is night fishing, but the main disadvantage is that you cannot see the beauty of the landscape.

For this reason, we recommend taking a sunrise or a sunset fish tour when there are enough fish in the water and the light is just perfect for taking some memorable shots.

Maldivian Nightlife in January

Well, it is quite hard to discuss Maldivian nightlife as most of the resorts are located on secluded islands and all you have around is the ocean.

Juju Bar Cocktail Kudafushi

But nobody wants to go on holiday without a party for at least one night so the island resorts have thought about everything and some of them have their own nightclubs which are open until late in the evening.

Don’t expect to active nightlife if you are staying on a bigger island as selling alcohol is prohibited in this country, everywhere outside the resorts.

Conclusion

Weather of Maldives in January is absolutely perfect for bathing, perfecting your tan, and trying a wide range of watersports.

It is true that the prices are a little bit higher than in the rainy season, but this is somehow normal as January is one of the best months to visit Maldives.

Dhigali Maldives Beach

If you are tight on your budget then consider staying in the North Male area and booking a guesthouse which is considerably cheaper than an island resort.

Orimas Retreat Maldives is a great option for those of you who travel on a budget as the guesthouse is located close to the airport and just 300 meters away from Bikini beach, one of the most famous beaches from the Male area.