Best time to visit · Maldives
The best time to visit Maldives
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexey Potov - Noblige, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
The best time to visit the Maldives is December to April, during the dry north-east monsoon, when skies are clearest, seas calmest and visibility best. It is also the most expensive period. May to November is wetter and windier with lower prices, but sunny spells are common, and it is manta season in Baa Atoll and the main surf season. Ramadan, which shifts about 11 days earlier each year, changes local-island life but not resorts.
Key facts
- Best months
- December–April
- Shoulder season
- May–June and October–November
- Warmest month
- April (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 30°C (86°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~15 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–June and September–October
Seasons
The Maldives is hot and humid all year, with highs around 30–31 °C and sea temperatures of 28–30 °C. The north-east monsoon (roughly December to April) brings dry, sunny weather; the south-west monsoon (roughly May to November) brings more frequent showers, wind and swell.
December–March
North-east monsoon
Dry, sunny and calm with excellent visibility; peak season with the highest prices, especially at Christmas, New Year and February.
April–May
Inter-monsoon
The hottest weeks with calm, warm seas; showers start in May as the monsoon turns, and prices fall.
June–September
South-west monsoon
More frequent showers, wind and swell, but lower prices, manta season in Baa Atoll and the best surf.
October–November
Late monsoon
Showery but improving weather with calmer seas towards November; good value before the high season.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 25°C | 6 | 28°C | 11.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 30°C | 25°C | 3 | 28°C | 12 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| March | 31°C | 26°C | 5 | 29°C | 12.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 32°C | 26°C | 9 | 30°C | 12.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 31°C | 26°C | 15 | 30°C | 12.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 31°C | 26°C | 13 | 29°C | 12.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 30°C | 26°C | 13 | 29°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 30°C | 25°C | 13 | 28°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 30°C | 25°C | 15 | 28°C | 12.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 30°C | 25°C | 15 | 28°C | 12 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 30°C | 25°C | 13 | 28°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 30°C | 25°C | 12 | 28°C | 11.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | New Year holiday peak |
| March | Surf season begins (usually from March) |
| April | Easter holidays |
| June | Hanifaru Bay manta season (usually June to November) |
| July | Independence Day (26 July) |
| November | Republic Day (11 November) |
| December | Christmas and New Year peak |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–June and September–October, and the sights are quietest in May–June and September–October.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| North-east monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Inter-monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| South-west monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Late monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Maldives?
The best time to visit the Maldives is December to April, during the dry north-east monsoon, when skies are clearest, seas calmest and visibility best. It is also the most expensive period. May to November is wetter and windier with lower prices, but sunny spells are common, and it is manta season in Baa Atoll and the main surf season. Ramadan, which shifts about 11 days earlier each year, changes local-island life but not resorts.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Maldives?
Usually in May–June and September–October. The south-west monsoon arrives with more cloud, showers and wind, but sunny spells are frequent and prices drop sharply.
+What is the rainiest month in Maldives?
May, with about 15 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Maldives get?
The warmest month, April, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 26°C (79°F).