Want to Visit the Maldives? Here is the best time travel guidance

December to March is the best time to visit Maldives, as this period marks the peak tourist season. The Republic of Maldives, a small nation located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean, is amongst the most picturesque and scenic nations in Asia. It is an increasingly preferred destination for families and honeymooners. The Maldives is hot and sunny all year round, with average temperatures of 23ºC-31ºC. Depending on your preferred activity, the best time to visit Maldives could really be any time of the year as there are no winters per say in Maldives.

Maldives In Dry Season (December To April)

Temperature – ~31 degrees celsius by day and ~ 24 degrees Celsius by night

Weather – This is the best season to visit Maldives. It is perfect for sightseeing, enjoying cultural activities, water sports and savouring the local cuisine. During these months, the weather is dry, devoid of humidity, pleasant with moderate temperature. The best month to swim in the sea is in April when the average sea temperature is 30 degree Celsius.

Significance –  One gets to see and experience the best that Maldives has to offer during this season. All locations are well populated and the environment tends to be celebratory and busy.

Why you should visit now: Clearly the weather and the resultant all round beauty make this season the best time to vacation. Minimal precipitation and warm weather make it an ideal setting. The rainfall too is very light and hence not a hindrance.

During the dry season, visibility is also excellent, because of the currents beginning to flow in November from the northeast. This helps you further enjoy the breathtaking view of fabulous lagoons protected by coral reefs and other atolls, and gorgeous beaches.

Things to know before you visit –  While the country is crowded during this season, since each resort inhabits its own island and is to an extent detached from the next island, unlike other crowded vacation destinations, you likely will not have to face extremely large crowds.  It may hence be prudent to check out some of the islands and see what you prefer.

Baros, Sun Island, Nalaguraidhoo Island in South Ari Atoll, Banana Reef and North Mal-Atoll are some suggested locations. The HP Reef is also a one of the most highly rated tourist attractions. It is a protected marine location bustling with marine life. 

One major festival during this period is Mawlid which means the birth of, Prophet Muhamed in November.  It is one of the most famous Maldives festivals which is celebrated carnival style over two days. There are huge street processions and mosque decorations. 

Tips – Hotel tariffs and costs towards various activities can be extremely high given this is peak season. For more budget-oriented tourists, a preferred time to visit would be in April which is towards the end of the peak season and entering the lean months. 

Being a tourist hotspot aside from Indian and Maldivian options, one can enjoy food styles from across the globe. Traditional Maldivian cuisine is based on coconuts, fish, and starches. Some of the common seafood forming part of the local cuisine includes Skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, frigate tuna and wahoo. Given the proximity, one does find a strong Indian influence and hence an abundance of curries and other flavours and spices. 

Refrain from carrying pork, alcohol, tobacco products and religious books. The law is very strict in this regard. 

Lastly, always compare and check prices for water activities before booking. Season time can see a lot of price spikes.

Maldives In Wet Season (May To November)

Temperature – ~31 degrees celsius by day and ~ 25 degrees Celsius by night 

Weather – The annual rainfall averages 254 centimetres (100 inches) in the north and 381 centimetres (150 inches) in the south. September tends to be the wettest month.

The intermittent and heavy rains make the destination less attractive for most vacationers. However there are some carefree ones who are more than happy to visit during this time. Venturing into the water however is not often advisable in this season and should be done at one’s own risk.

Significance – This time of year is popular with surfers, because the area sees bigger waves and better swells for surfing during these months. While the waters can be dangerous, the truly adventurous traveller with the right gear can look forward to a whale of a time.  

Why you should visit now –  The Holy month of Ramadan which tends to be in May is one of the best times to visit Maldives as you get to savour a lot of traditional delicacies. Experience the restaurants which also offer special iftar meals and rose, apricot and kamardine flavoured juices.

Fairly reasonable prices, less crowded resorts and optimal surf and scuba conditions make some of the more adventurous tourists actually prefer this time to travel. In the wet season, the water temperatures are also a couple of degrees lower, which appear to inspire larger numbers of hammerhead sharks and reef sharks to come together, and to do so in shallower waters than in the dry season. Visibility however isn’t as good what is experienced in the dry season as the currents are less.

Things to know before the visit – Eid –ul-Alhaa or Eid al Adha, the festival that commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to Allah is celebrated during this period. On this day, islanders gather and fishermen catch a big fish made by weaving palm leaves.

The National Day of Maldives officially known as Qaumee Dhuvas falls sometime in November. This is the day when a local revolt forced the colonial Portuguese to leave the land. 

During the wet  season, Fihalhohi Island which is rich with shady coconut palm trees, pristine beaches and clear waters is an attractive getaway particularly if you are a honeymooner or looking for a romantic getaway. 

Huvahendhoo island with its calm water and lustrous greenery is another location recommended for a relaxed and rejuvenating stay. It is known to be a location ideal for families with both kids and adults having a lot to do and enjoy.

Tips – While Ramadaan offers you a great opportunity to savour the best of foods, during this period many services and shops will be shut during the time of prayer. There is also a need to cover yourself appropriately and avoid public display of affection when visiting the local islands. During Ramadan, the government offices work only from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and private offices shut by 3.00 PM.  Resorts and hotels are however not affected by the holy month.

Located on the equator, Maldives receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Temperatures range from 24 degrees at the lowest in December to an average of 31 degrees at the peak in April.  For a majority of vacationers the best time to visit is from mid-November to early April when the weather is dry and more welcoming. In other months the country experiences sporadic and sometimes heavy rains when the crystal clear water also disappears making it unattractive for most water activity aside from surfing.  For those interested in imbibing the culture and witnessing the major festivals though, the wet season mainly from May to November may be the best time to visit.

The country has got 1,190 islands attracting tourists from every part of the world. It is the smallest in the continent by both land and population spanning around 298 square kilometers that house a little over 450,000 inhabitants.  The islands are uniquely laid out into a double chain of 26 coral atolls (200 inhabited islands plus 80 islands with tourist resorts) spread out over roughly 35,000 square miles. Each atoll adds to a variety of vibrant coral reefs teeming with lush underwater life including fish, sea turtles, whales, and dolphins.