Month guide · Maldives
Maldives in May
What May is really like in Maldives: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexey Potov - Noblige, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 26°C (79°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. The south-west monsoon arrives with more cloud, showers and wind, but sunny spells are frequent and prices drop sharply.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 3rd-warmest month in Maldives: days average 31°C (88°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 26°C (79°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with April (32°C (90°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:53
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:11
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea
- 30°C (86°F)
North-east monsoon (December–March). Dry, sunny and calm with excellent visibility; peak season with the highest prices, especially at Christmas, New Year and February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Maldives, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Ari Atoll
Whale sharks in South Ari Atoll
Go with an operator that follows the code of conduct: keep at least a few metres away, never touch the shark and limit swimmers in the water.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
Experience · Velana International Airport
Seaplane flight over the atolls
Twin Otter seaplanes fly low over lagoons, sandbanks and ring-shaped reefs on transfers from the seaplane terminal beside Velana airport to resorts across the central atolls.
- Time needed
- 20–60 minutes
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · North Malé Atoll
Banana Reef
Ask for a morning dive when currents are usually gentler and visibility better.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Nature
Nature · Ari Atoll
Maaya Thila and Fish Head
Two of North Ari's best-known protected dive sites: Maaya Thila, a small underwater pinnacle circled by whitetip reef sharks and famed for night dives, and Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila), with grey reef sharks and dense fish schools.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Nature
- After dark
The sea averages 30°C (86°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Maldives.
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 26°C and 15 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Maldives?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, December–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Maldives in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Maldives?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. The south-west monsoon arrives with more cloud, showers and wind, but sunny spells are frequent and prices drop sharply.
+How warm is Maldives in May?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Maldives in May?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.