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When is the Best Time to Visit the Maldives?

The Maldives – a country made up of 1200 coral islands and spanning an astonishing 90,000 square kilometres is considered one of the most idyllic locations on earth. Compromised of white sands and turquoise oceans, it’s the perfect paradise to simply kick back and relax and get away from it all. The Maldives is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches; so whether you simply wish to sunbathe under the hot sun or take part in a number of fantastic water sports including kayaking, diving, surfing – you’re sure to find a past-time that suits you.

The overall best time to visit the Maldives is between the months of November to April which are considered the driest months with vivid blue skies that the destination is known for.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when visiting the Maldives during each month of the year:

Visiting the Maldives in January

January is considered the best month to visit weather-wise, with hot temperatures and low humidity, making it the perfect climate for exploring or simply relaxing. The ocean temperatures are typically warm so you should feel comfortable taking a dip in the waters or even embarking on a water sports adventure. Be aware that this is the most popular month for tourists, so it would be advised to book well in advance.

Visiting the Maldives in February

The climate in February is similar to January, with 10 hours of sunshine each day and temperatures averaging at a pleasant 30 degrees. It is believed to be the driest month of the year with very low chance of rainfall, so you’ll be able to see and do everything on your itinerary without getting caught in a storm.

Visiting the Maldives in March

Similar to January and February March remains in the dry reason with temperatures rising to an average of 31 degrees Celsius. The hot air may be sporadically cooled down with a short burst of rain – so be sure to pack waterproofs should you wish to go exploring the islands.

Visiting the Maldives in April

April is the end of the official dry season, so if you’re not willing to take a risk on the weather later on in the year, now would be your last chance to visit. You may discover a little more humidity than in previous months and there may even be more frequent rainfall during the afternoons.

Visiting the Maldives in May

May can be very damp in the Maldives as it welcomes its official wet season – although temperatures still remain at a high 31 degrees. You can expect the risk of rain and storms sporadically, however some storms may last the entire day. Average rainfall rises to a high 216mm a month, while the average hours of sunshine fall slightly too.

Visiting the Maldives in June

June is another month in the Maldives with a high chance of rain. As opposed to regular sunshine, more cloud cover is common and you may experience a random downpour. However, these factors keep humidity low as temperatures still remain high. What’s more, tourist numbers should be low so you can make the most of the peace and quiet. Instead of letting rainy days go to waste, it would make a great time to swim in the ocean or try your hand at water sports.

Visiting the Maldives in July

July is extremely similar to July temperature-wise, but the chance of rainfall dips slightly; however, you can still expect short, sporadic downpours. If you’re a keen surfer, do be aware that visibility underwear may be reduced due to the number of plankton. Also, tourist numbers may slightly increase during this month as the national school holiday season starts.

Visiting the Maldives in August

Again, August is not much different to July, but there is the occasional rain. On average, you can enjoy 7 hours of sunshine each day which allows you to get out and enjoy fun activities on the island during the morning and afternoon. Again, tourist numbers may remain high during this month due to the national school holiday period.

Visiting the Maldives in September

September is one of the west months throughout the year with averages of 243mm of rainfall during the month. Temperatures are still relatively high at 30 degrees with approximately 7 hours of sunshine per day. The wetter weather would be perfect for spending your time embarking on ocean sports.

Visiting the Maldives in October

Precipitation still remains extremely high during October and it’s not unusual to experience whole days of rainfall. Despite this, temperatures are high at 30 degrees with an average of 8 hours of sunshine a day. Again, this would be a great month to visit for water sports enthusiasts.

Visiting the Maldives in November

November welcomes back the drier weather, however, it is known as the least sunny month of the year, with cloudy and very occasional wet spells, but with the occasional breakthrough of sunlight.

Visiting the Maldives in December

December is the official start of the high season, with hot and dry weather. It’ll make the perfect destination for a Christmas getaway with your loved ones to enjoy some winter sunshine. Again, this is another popular month for tourists, so it would be advised to book as early as possible.