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March Weather in the Maldives and Must-Do Activities

Weather of Maldives in March is great for your winter escape to an exotic paradise where turquoise waters and pristine beaches are waiting for you.

The Maldives is formed from more than 1250 islands grouped under 26 atolls spread in the Indian Ocean, close to Sri Lanka and India.

This exotic paradise is famous not only for its amazing sceneries but also for its fancy villas and overwater bungalows that offer you amazing views of the ocean far from any noise pollution.

What could be more relaxing than staying in an overwater villa with direct access to the ocean and observing marine creatures all day long?!

On your trip to Maldives, you will be exposed to a whole new world, with many luxury hotels, amazing weather, and extremely welcoming people.

Maldives is located very close to the Equator, so it has relatively constant temperatures all year round.

In Maldives you don’t have 4 seasons as you know: winter, spring, summer, and autumn; there are only two seasons like all these exotic islands have a wet season and dry season.

The main difference between the wet season and the dry season is the quantity of rain that drops each month, as the temperatures are relatively constant all over the year.

Weather in Maldives in March is specific for the dry season, as March is one of the last months of the dry season that lasts in Maldives from November to April.

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Weather of Maldives in March Velassaru Maldives Atol

Velassaru Maldives Atol

Weather of Maldives in March

March is the peak season, so tourists rush to spend their holidays away from the cold and snow and to perfect their tan in this paradise.

Temperatures in Maldives in March

The temperatures during the daytime are relatively constant, around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and for this reason, March is considered to be among the hottest months of the year.

During the nighttime, the temperatures drop to 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), and rarely can they get to 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit).

Ocean temperature in March

The heat and the moisture from the air make you want to jump into the ocean and the water temperature is perfect to cool off.
On average, the sea temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit), perfect for bathing and all kinds of watersports.

What’s the weather like in the Maldives in March

If you are wondering how many days of rain you will have on your Maldivian holiday, you are in the right place.

Fortunately, we have good news for you: March is one of the driest months of the year, with very little rain so it is considered a great time to visit the Maldives.

Keep in mind that the wettest months of the year are September and October, months considered as low season in the Maldives and not such a great time of year to visit the archipelago.

Riu Atoll Maldives Resort

Riu Atoll Maldives Resort

There shouldn’t be more than 6 days of rain spread all over the month and usually, the quantity of precipitation that drops doesn’t exceed 75 mm.

Generally, there are scattered showers and short rains that occur in the afternoon, rarely thunderstorms so it is a good time to visit the Maldives.

Most of the rain that drops is concentrated on the southern part of the archipelago, while the northern part has more days with sun and no clouds.

Sunshine hours in Maldives in March

Weather of Maldives in March is perfect for your holiday but how about the sunshine hours?

Are there enough to enjoy this piece of paradise or the night comes quickly and you have to stay in your villa?

Velassaru Maldives Water Villa with Pooll

Velassaru Maldives Water Villa with Pooll

March comes with about 9 hours of sunshine each day, which should be enough for you to lay in the sun, to swim, but also for diving and snorkeling.

You will have about 250 hours of sunlight during the whole month, perfect temperatures for bathing, amazing scenery and great services.

Best places to visit in March in Maldives

Male

The capital city of Maldives, Male is the largest island from the archipelago and the main gateway to this paradise.

It is a vibrant city with Asian and Arab influences, with spice markets and fish markets spread everywhere.

Male is a great place to get in touch with local culture and traditions, to get in contact with locals and understand the archipelago’s history.

The city is quite small, but it is packed with many beautiful attractions out of which I would mention the Fish market which is representative of the area.

Make sure you visit the market in the afternoon when fishermen come with their catch and the market comes to life.

If you plan to buy something from the market practice your bargaining skills as everything here is negotiable.

Weather for Maldives in March is perfect for fishing so you will find on the fish market a wide range of marine creatures and it is a good opportunity to try new and local dishes.

Where to stay

If you travel on a budget, then Male and the nearby islands are the right destination for you as starting with 2009, guesthouses are available for tourists at reasonable prices.

Our favorite one is Jail Break Surf Inn Maldives , a beautiful guesthouse with spacious and clean rooms, breakfast included in the room rate that is located just 15 kilometers away from Male city.

Riu Palace Maldivas Water Villas resorts in the Maldives

Riu Palace Maldivas Water Villas resorts in the Maldives

If you really want to stay in Male city, closer to the city center then you will have to pay extra, as Rij Hulhumale Maldives come with higher prices, a good location and rooms equipped with a kettle, a desk, a safety deposit box, a minibar as well as TV and balcony.

Maafushi

Another great place to visit in March and a paradise for budget travelers is Maafushi island located close to Male International Airport.

The island was washed away by a strong tsunami in 2004 and the authorities still struggle to rebuild it.

Fortunately, there are plenty of guesthouses and café houses where you can relax, enjoy the winter sun and have fun without breaking your budget.

Velassaru Maldives Beach Villa with Pool

Velassaru Maldives Beach Villa with Pool

The island is the perfect destination for those who want to relax, lay on beautiful beaches and stay away from the crowds.

The main activities for tourists that come to this island are bathing, snorkeling, and boat tours, which generally are cheaper than in island resorts.

Where to sleep

Located right on the beach, Kaani Beach Hotel Maldives is a 3 stars hotel with an amazing view of the ocean, clean and spacious rooms.

At the hotel reception, you can book tours and water activities to have fun and enjoy your time spent abroad.

Kudafushi

Weather of Maldives in March is perfect for snorkeling so how about heading to a place where you can snorkel all day long without paying anything extra?!

Kudafushi is the perfect place for that as this beautiful island resort is surrounded by turquoise waters full of marine life.

Kudafushi Resort and spa Water Villas

Kudafushi Resort and spa Water Villas

From the beach villa, you have direct access to the ocean where we saw an impressive number of fish, octopus, eagle rays, and even a Morena eel.

On the island, you have a diving center and a watersports center from where you can buy various trips on the sea.

On the whole island, there is only one resort, Kudafushi Resort Spa Maldives that can accommodate guests in private beach villas and overwater villas, upon request.

Hulhumale island

Hurhumale island is the place where you will most probably land if you come with an international flight from anywhere in the world.

Hurhumale is the place where is located Velana International Airport, a vibrant and modern city with a growing population.

Fushifaru Maldives Resort

Fushifaru Maldives Resort

This is among the most vibrant and active places from Maldives, a place where you should stay if you want to get in touch with locals and want to find out interesting things about Maldivian culture.

The average temperature on this island in March is between 27 to 30 degrees Celsius (81 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit), perfect for watersports, exploring, and perfecting your tan.

Where to sleep

Hotel Ocean Gran Maldives is located just 10 minutes drive from Velana International Airport and in the room rate you have included not just breakfast but also the transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Ocean Grand Hotel is located right near the ocean and offers amazing views of the sea and spacious rooms. The beautiful city of Male is located 10 minutes by boat from the hotel.

Raa Atoll

Because of its unique biodiversity and geological aspect, Raa Atoll is among the best places in the Maldives for watersports like snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, and other motorized water sports.

This atoll is the most northern and most popular atoll from the Maldives and it is about 70 km long and 31 km broad. It is formed from 88 islands and is home to one of the most luxurious hotels from the archipelago.

Dhigali Maldives

Dhigali Maldives

The area has one of the most beautiful coral reefs from the Maldives and an impressive number of marine creatures.

The western part of the atoll is known for its deep waters, the deepest from the whole archipelago, a great place for fishing and for observing not only reef fishes but also the bigger ones that live in deep waters.

Where to sleep

Our top favorite resort from the area is without any doubt Reethi Faru Maldives located on a private island, about 45 minutes seaplane from Velana International Airport.

The resort can accommodate guests in more than 150 water villas and beach villas and has all the amenities you might expect from a 5 stars hotel.

What is great about this hotel is that even if there are 250 people on the island you feel that you have the island just for your own; you have your own private beach, your own private villa, and your own piece of paradise.

Activities to try in Maldives in March

Watersports

Weather of Maldives in March is perfect for watersports, especially snorkeling and scuba diving as the underwater visibility is around 40 meters.

Most of the resorts and hotels organize daily snorkeling and diving tours, a great opportunity to observe and get closer to a wide range of marine creatures.

During our stay in the Maldives we did snorkeling every day, for free, as the island was surrounded by beautiful corals, home to many species of fish and other marine creatures.

We had our own snorkeling equipment, but if you don’t have one you don’t have to worry as all watersports centers offer for renting snorkeling and diving equipment.

We saw many colorful fishes, octopuses, eagle rays, a Morena eel, and even a few reef sharks in the waters around the island.

Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort jet ski water sports

Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort jet ski water sports

When we booked a snorkeling tour we saw turtles, manta rays and a few sharks and the experience was so intense and for sure I will remember it many years after.

The prices for snorkeling vary, depending on the length of the trip, the resort, and how far you go, but generally, it is between 30 to 60 USD per person.

For those of you who consider the ocean their second home, we strongly recommend you try diving as Maldives is one of the most popular places in the world for scuba diving, and the weather of Maldives in March is perfect for his activity.

Diving gives you the unique opportunity to dry into the water and get close to the colorful reefs, beautiful fishes, and other incredible marine life.

You can swim with these creatures and be part of their world for a few dozen minutes.

In order to dive, you need to have the PADI certificate, but once you have it you can dive everywhere in the world.

Red Lionfish Maldives Atoll Fish Snorkeling Indian Ocean

Red Lionfish Maldives Atoll Fish Snorkeling Indian Ocean

The prices for diving trips are higher than for snorkeling, starting from 70 USD but in the price, you have included not just the equipment, but also fresh fruits, soft drinks, and towels.

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

Maldives is also a great place for surfing, especially for beginners and intermediates, and there are hotels that offer special packages for surf lovers.

Anantara Dhigu Maldives is one of those resorts, where snorkeling, surfing, and diving are the main activities of the guests that chose to stay here.

This 5 star hotel is located 30 minutes boat ride from Velana International Airport and offers luxurious villas overlooking the water and the white sandy beach.

The closest spot with good waves for surfing is Nonyas, located just 5 minutes away by speedboat from the resort.

Other watersports that can be practiced on your Maldivian holiday taking into account the weather of Maldives in March are kitesurfing, canoeing, kayaking and some of the hotels offer free of charge one hour per day any non-motorized water sport activity for their guests.

Whale submarine tour

One of the things that you don’t have to miss when traveling to Maldives is a submarine tour, a very beautiful attraction not very popular yet among tourists.

It is a real submarine, with individual seats which offer you a wonderful view of the underwater world.

This is the best way to explore the ocean even if you don’t know how to swim or you don’t want to get wet.

Kuramathi Maldives Water Villas

Kuramathi Maldives Water Villas

The submarine submerges to deep waters, where not many divers can get, and offers you a unique perspective of the underwater world.

You will spot corals, fishes, sharks, turtles, and other marine creatures that live in the Indian Ocean and otherwise cannot be seen.

The experience will last for about 2 hours and a half out of which 45 minutes is the underwater experience and you will descend 50 meters beneath the surface.

Explore the oldest mosque

Hukuru Miskiiy is among the oldest mosques from the Maldivian Archipelago and is famous for its beautiful architecture.

It is a very popular attraction among tourists that visit the city of Male so we strongly advise you to go in the morning, to be the first to enter.

There are many interesting things to learn about its history and the Maldivian culture so consider hiring a guide when visiting this place.

Take part to a celebration

Nothing can be more authentic and can give you a good sense of the local culture like taking part in a celebration.

Weather of Maldives in March is perfect for organizing fests outside so taking part in a local celebration is the best way to get in touch with Maldivian people.

Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort Private Beach Maldives

Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort Private Beach Maldives

Maldivians celebrate in March the day when they embrace for the first time Islam as initially, Maldivians were a Buddhist nation.

They were converted to Islam in the year 548 and this event is celebrated each March so don’t forget to take part to the parties that are organized all across the archipelago.

Conclusion

Weather for Maldives in March is great for exploring, sunbathing, swimming and any water sports activity you would like to try.
The prices are still high as it is peak season, but the weather is amazing with lots of suns, very few days with rain, and warm ocean waters.

No matter if you choose to stay on an island resort or a guesthouse from the North Male Area, the scenery, people, and weather will make you fall in love with this place from the moment you get off the plane.

Hurry up and book your accommodation based on your budget to secure the best price-quality ratio and be prepared to spend a few days in paradise.

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.

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 costs caused by medical events like illness, 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.