The Maldives is a stunning holiday destination whatever time of year you go, but depending on what you plan to do, some months are better than others. Whether you want to soak up the sun, go dolphin-watching, surf some waves or enjoy the country’s fascinating culture, here’s our guide to the best time to go to the Maldives.
Set in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is made up of a chain of 26 coral atolls that reach down to cross the Equator. Within those 26 atolls there are a staggering 1,200 tiny islands, with 200 of those inhabited and 100 holiday resorts.
Over the past 40 years, the Maldives has become one of the world’s most desirable holiday locations, with its powder white beaches, fascinating marine life, overwater accommodation and superb cuisine making it a dream destination for couples and families. But when is the best time to visit the Maldives? Read on and discover the secrets of this stunning country.
The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate all year round, with temperatures ranging from 25-30oC in the daytime and 22-27oC at night. The average amount of sun every day is eight hours, while the sea is wonderfully warm at average of 28oC. Weather-wise, the best time to go to the Maldives is between December and April, when the climate is drier, hotter and less windy.
If you’re heading to the Maldives in search of sun, the best months to go are January, February and March. The temperature will rarely dip below 30oC and you’ll have around 10 hours of sunshine every day to soak up. But going at any time between December and April will give you around nine hours a day of sunshine, which is a fair amount of rays for a winter/spring holiday.
Monsoon season in the Maldives runs from the beginning of May until the end of October, peaking in the middle of June. During this time, average rainfall is at its highest, with the hot and humid weather bringing about short, heavy downpours. However, each island in the archipelago has its own micro-climate so there will be small variations depending on which one you go to.
Many visitors to the islands enjoy diving and snorkelling in its clear, blue waters that are ideal to see the variety of marine life. However, due to the concentration of plankton, some months are better than others for visibility, while certain species are only present at specific times of the year. For the greatest visibility, the best time to go to the Maldives is January-April, where you’ll see species such as barracuda, snapper, bream, plus hundreds of different types of tropical fish. Meanwhile, the high density of plankton in May attracts larger species such as manta rays and sharks. It might be the rainy season, but if you do get a downpour, the best place to be is underwater.
Surfing is a big part of life in the Maldives and many visitors look forward to grabbing a board and hitting the waves. Certain months are better than others for surfing, with April generally seen as the start of the surfing season and October the end. The biggest swells are likely to occur between June and September, with surf known to get up to eight feet. For the most popular waves, head to resorts such as Kuda Vilingili and Thanburudhoo, both situated on the eastern reef of North Male Atoll.
The Maldives has a number of religious festivals and celebrations at certain times of the year that are fascinating to experience. As an Islamic country, the Maldives celebrates the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on May 16 and continues into June. Meanwhile, July 26 is Independence Day, which celebrates the country’s freedom from British rule in 1965, and is marked by a number of parades and public celebrations on the islands. Then, on November 11, the Maldives celebrates Republic Day, with the capital Male being the centre of the festivities, hosting parades through its streets and parks.
The Maldives is ranked as one of the top five places to watch dolphins in the world, and one of the most popular excursions is seeing these beautiful creatures at sunset. There are dolphins around the Maldives throughout the year, but since they prefer the dry season of January to April, these are the best months to spot them. Many hotels now offer dolphin watching trips to their guests at the end of the day when the animals are at their most playful, so grab your camera and enjoy their oceanic antics.
If you’re planning a Maldives holiday in 2021 and want to get a great deal, think about booking a date just off the high season, in April or May. You’ll still get the same high temperatures but with slightly less predictable weather. At this time of the year, the climate is unlikely to differ much from the peak months of January and February, giving you a fantastic holiday for a lower price.
For the perfect tropical holiday, take a look at Club Med’s range of all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives.
