With its postcard-worthy scenery, luxury island resorts and year-round warm weather, the Maldives, has long been a hotspot for UK holidaymakers. And with over 1,200 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, you’ll be able to pick an island resort that suits you, whether you’re seeking unadulterated luxury, a romantic escape for two or plan on taking the whole family – check out our round up of where to stay in the Maldives.
Need a little guidance before jetting off? We’ve asked our Indian Ocean experts for tips on when to travel to the Maldives as well as their advice about monsoon season and travelling during Ramadan.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives for good weather?
The best weather in the Maldives is between November and April, outside of the monsoon season. We recommend staying during March and April (excluding the Easter holidays when pricing is more expensive) when you will enjoy hot, dry weather and quieter resorts. If your budget allows you to book a trip during this peak season, you’ll experience much lower humidity levels and very hot days.
Sitting either side of the equator the Maldives is blessed with a warm, tropical climate. While this means temperatures sit between 25°c and 31°c throughout the year, there are variations in rainfall, humidity and sunshine hours. Check out our guide below to find out when it’s the best time to travel to the Maldives, weather-wise.
Maldives weather in January
With plenty of sunshine and hot days, January is the perfect time for a beach holiday in the Maldives. The water visibility is fantastic which makes it a great time for holidaymakers looking to do a fair bit of snorkelling or diving. However, it's worth noting that January is peak season so make sure you book in advance.
- Average temperature: 27°C
- High temperature: 29°C
- Low temperature: 25°C
- Hours of sunshine: 9 hours
- Rainfall: 75mm (5 days of rainfall)
- Sea temperature: 28°C
- Hotel rates: £££*
Maldives weather February to March
February and March are the driest months in the Maldives with warm temperatures and low humidity. The water visibility is also great for diving and snorkelling. Again, these months fall into the peak season so make sure you book in advance.
- Average temperature: 28°C
- High temperature: 30°C
- Low temperature: 26°C
- Hours of sunshine: 9 – 10 hours
- Rainfall: 50mm (5 – 7 days)
- Sea temperature: 28°C
- Hotel rates: £££
Maldives weather in April
The month of April has plenty of sunshine and warm weather with good water visibility for snorkelling and diving. There may be some rainfall towards the end of April.
- Average temperature: 29°C
- High temperature: 31°C
- Low temperature: 27°C
- Hours of sunshine: 9 hours
- Rainfall: 132mm (10 days)
- Sea temperature: 30°C
- Hotel rates: ££
Maldives weather May to September
The months between May and September are warm with plenty of sunshine. There is a risk of rainfall and thunderstorms – but these usually pass pretty quickly. Water visibility is reduced so diving and snorkelling are not as rewarding. However, because this is the low season, you can likely find some great travel deals on flights and hotels – and enjoy your resort with fewer crowds.
- Average temperature: 28°C
- High temperature: 30°C
- Low temperature: 25°C
- Hours of sunshine: 7- 8 hours
- Rainfall: 13 – 15 days per month
- Sea temperature: 30°C
- Hotel rates: £
Maldives weather October to November
The months of October and November are popular times to travel to the Maldives, thanks to warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, though there is a high risk of rain and thunderstorms. This time of year is great for diving and snorkelling when whale sharks and manta rays come out to feed on the plankton in the water. And as this is the low season you can expect fewer people in-resort and you are sure to find great deals on flights and accommodation.
- Average temperature: 27°C
- High temperature: 29 °C
- Low temperature: 25 °C
- Hours of sunshine: 6 – 8 hours
- Rainfall: 222mm (14 – 16 days)
- Sea temperature: 28°C
- Hotel rates: £
Maldives weather in December
December in the Maldives is warm with long hours of sunshine but a risk of rain and storms. You can likely get great deals on hotels for travel before the Christmas period.
- Average temperature: 27°C
- High temperature: 29°C
- Low temperature: 25°C
- Hours of sunshine: 7 hours
- Rainfall: 232mm (13 days)
- Sea temperature: 20°C
- Hotel rates: £ (£££ over the Christmas period)
*Budget Key
- £ – Low season (May to November)
- ££ – Mid-range (March to April)
- £££ – High season (December to February)
Is there anything else to consider?
Weather is not the only factor to consider when deciding when it’s the best time to visit the Maldives! You may want to think about your budget or when you can take time off from work or even when the best conditions are for snorkelling and diving! Below are a few other considerations to help you decide.
When is the cheapest time to visit the Maldives?
For the best price on flights and accommodation, we recommend visiting the Maldives between May and November when there is a slightly higher chance of rain but you can enjoy fewer people in-resort and great holiday offers.
Many people choose to visit the Maldives between the months of November and April, avoiding monsoon season altogether to ensure they get to make the most of endless amounts of sunshine.
However, this time of the year will be more expensive than during the rainy season. Travel between December and March (high season) and you can expect to find high prices for both flights and accommodation.
When is the most expensive time to visit the Maldives?
You will find higher prices for hotels and airfares between December and February, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period when travellers are looking for a winter sun holiday.
The weather in the Maldives is consistently hot and sunny, with daytime temperatures of around 30°C and evening temperatures around 25°C all year round. However, there are two pronounced seasons; the dry (or high) season which lasts from December to April and the rainy season, which lasts from May to November and peaks around June.
As the name suggests, the rainy season (which is also referred to as the south west monsoon) sees the highest levels of rainfall and humidity. Therefore, the most popular (and, more expensive) time to travel is from December to April.
When is the Maldives monsoon season?
There are two monsoon seasons in the Maldives – the north east monsoon (the dry season) runs from December to March while the south west monsoon (wet season) runs from May to November when you may experience strong winds, rain and occasional thunderstorms.
When is the best time for surfing or diving in the Maldives?
For the best surfing in the Maldives conditions, travel between March and October. While diving is suitable all year round, you’ll be able to enjoy better visibility on the western side of the island between May and November and the eastern side between December and April. Dive in the Maldives during the wet season and you’ll see an abundance of hammerhead sharks, manta rays and reef sharks.
Ramadan in the Maldives
The Maldives is a Muslim country so it’s always worth taking note of the dates of Ramadan each year. Travelling during Ramadan, you may find that some restaurants in the capital, Male, are closed during the day. The island resorts are usually not affected with restaurants and bars remaining open and serving alcohol.
- 2021 Ramadan dates: 12th April - 12th May
- 2022 Ramadan dates: 2nd April - 2nd May
- 2023 Ramadan dates: 22nd March - 21st April
Our most popular Maldives Hotels
With so many private island paradises to choose from, it can be hard to decide which Maldives island resort to pick. Here’s our top selling Maldives hotels to help inspire you…
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fenn Fushi
LUX* South Ari Atoll, Maldives
Ready to pack your bags?
Want a good hotel only or a package holiday offer? Our expert team at Best at Travel are constantly negotiating to get the best hotel deals so you don’t have to. Take advantage of our exclusive offers you won’t find anywhere else from room and board upgrades to incredible savings. Click here to browse all our holiday offers in the Maldives.