Best Time to Visit the Maldives
The Maldives has a tropical climate, which means hot temperatures throughout the year. There’s little monthly variation, but what does change dramatically is the amount of rainfall you can expect. The archipelago has a proper monsoon season that has a huge influence on the weather and, consequently, when to go to the Maldives.
Known as the South West monsoon, it can last anywhere from six to nine months. That’s not to say that you can’t holiday there at that time of the year. Don’t automatically assume that the best time to visit the Maldives excludes these months. You’ll merely have a different experience compared to the dry season. Just stay flexible and take each day as it comes. Isn’t that what holiday recuperation is all about anyway?
Sidebar: The atolls that make up the Maldives straddle the equator, with the southern islands poking into the Southern Hemisphere. In theory this means that most of them coincide with the UK summer and the rest align with UK winter. To avoid confusion we’ll choose specific months rather than seasons.
February: the Golden Window
February is by far the most temperate month in the Maldives. The temperatures are a little on the high side compared to other months, but not by much. The average daily temperature at this time of the year is 31.1°C, which is less than 1 degree more than the lowest monthly average of 30.4°C in November and December.
What really makes February the outright best time of year to visit the Maldives is that it’s by far the driest month of the year. It only receives an average rainfall of 35mm, whereas January averages 83mm and March 66mm. Even those figures pale in comparison to the monsoon season, when the average monthly rainfall can reach as high as 226mm.
The drier weather in February also means that it’s the least humid month of the year. Granted, the 75% average isn’t much lower than January or March, both averaging 76%. It’s also not much lower than the May high of 80%. However, the combination of little rain and a small easing in humidity is something you really will feel.
There’s lots of sunshine and often a refreshing light breeze. Perhaps the only drawback is that because these conditions make this the best time to visit the Maldives, it’s also peak season, the busiest time of the year to holiday here. So, if you’re planning your escape for February, it’s a good idea to book your accommodation well in advance.
Accommodation tips:
- Enjoy beachfront bliss at Cocogiri Island Resort Maldives
- Stay in traditional Maldivian villas at Bandos Maldives.
June: Best Time to Visit the Maldives Before the Monsoon
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of tropical weather variation on holiday. After all, you don’t go to an exotic location in search of the same weather that you get at home. June falls into the wet season preceding the monsoons, but what swings the pendulum in its favour as the next best time to go to the Maldives is its unusually low average rainfall. It only gets about 120mm, sandwiched in-between May’s 202mm and the 182mm that falls in July.
The temperatures are nice and warm too, averaging 31.2°C. That’s pretty much identical to the February average. The humidity isn’t much different to the other months of the year either, at an average of 78%. This is bang on the annual average for the Maldives. It’s one of the windier months of the year, so be prepared for that – although the average wind speed is only around 11.6 mph.
That said, the weather can be unpredictable in June. Sudden stronger winds can arise, bringing rainstorms with them. These are often heavy downpours, but they usually only last for a couple of hours. Take an umbrella or raincoat with you on outings, just in case.
Accommodation tips:
- Ifuru Island Maldives is a premium all-inclusive resort.
- Kuramathi Island Resort offers a private getaway.
October: The Full Monsoon Experience
Travel is about discovery and new experiences, so don’t be afraid to holiday in the Maldives during the monsoon season. And when we say the full monsoon experience, that’s exactly what we mean. October has the highest average monthly rainfall, at 226mm. That’s not to say that it isn’t warm and sunny too. In fact, October gets the same 8 hours of average daily sunshine hours as the dry months do. The average temperature of 30.6°C is lower than most months, although humidity is on the high side compared to the rest of the year, at an average of 79%.
While it might sound a bit strange to be recommending the monsoon season as the best time to visit the Maldives, the islands are fully geared up to entertain tourists, rain or shine, and there’s still plenty to do. Some of the most memorable moments can be made eating local food in a traditional snack hut while watching the phenomenal weather outside.
The monsoon season doesn’t prevent you from enjoying outdoor activities, either. The rain isn’t continuous, so you can still go swimming or snorkelling in the warm seawater. If you’re a surfer, this is actually the best time of year to visit the Maldives, as the monsoon winds create great wave conditions.
Accommodation tips:
- Escape to Brennia Kottefaru Maldives.
- Indulge yourself at Furaveri Maldives.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a sunny, dry holiday in the tropics without too many crowds, then February is the best time to visit the Maldives. You can escape the tourist season by visiting in June, when things are a lot quieter. The weather is more unpredictable at this time of the year, but on the upside there’s also little rain. And if your idea of an exotic overseas holiday is about more than sipping cocktails on the beach, go over in October for a first-hand experience of monsoon season.1
FAQs
What’s the best month to go to the Maldives?
February is the best month to visit the Maldives. It sees the least rainfall and isn’t as humid as other times of the year.
What is the hottest month of the year in the Maldives?
There isn’t much variation in temperature during the year in the Maldives. April is the hottest month, averaging 31.9°C, followed by March and May at 31.6°C on average.
What month is the Maldives cheapest?
The shoulder and low seasons are the cheapest times to visit the Maldives. Aim for May, June or September
When is the rainy season in the Maldives?
Maldives has a monsoon season that can last from between April and May to between October and November. October usually gets the most rainfall.
How many days are enough for the Maldives?
Some would say that you can’t spend enough days in the Maldives! The real answer depends on what you like to do. If you just want to relax on the beach and immerse yourself in the local culture, two weeks is reasonable. But if you want to go island-hopping and sightseeing across the many atolls, add an extra week if you can.
