Best Time to Visit the Maldives: Weather, Events

The beautiful island of the Maldives is considered a year-round destination because the weather remains warm and sunny throughout the year. While you can go anytime you want, there are some specific windows that are suitable for certain experiences.

If you are a picky traveler and want your Maldives holidays to be a tailored experience, this guide is for you. Before you make your plans by either booking Maldives holiday packages or making arrangements yourself, this guide has got you covered.

Let’s explore what the Maldives looks like throughout the year in this month-by-month guide.

January, February, and March

It won’t be an exaggeration if we say that these three months are the golden time for the Maldives tourism industry. There are scores of people wherever you go, and most of them are foreigners. These three months are the peak season, as the weather is hot and sunny. The water visibility is at its peak, so you can enjoy a good dive in the sea. If you have an interest in diving or snorkeling, you can have an excellent time there.

As the sun shines at its peak during these three months, you can plan a perfect beach holiday or go for a cruise with your family or friends. As soon as March kicks in, the surfing season begins in the Maldives and continues till July. Also, the mercury takes an upward hike during March, and the weather is quite hot. 

If you are going in one of these three months, don't forget to pack cotton trousers, tees, hats, sunglasses, and sunblock.

April and May

As March in the Maldives is about to end, April gives the intimation of wet times ahead. You will witness some showers, but they will likely pass without causing much disturbance to your Maldives holidays. The weather is still very much warm and dry for amazing outdoor experiences. As the underwater visibility is still good, there is nothing stopping you from planning snorkeling and diving.

Things change slightly when it comes to May, as the rain and thunderstorms get more frequent, but they are nothing like what the Maldives receives in the wet months. May is also known as the nesting time for sea turtles. Almost every beach in the Maldives is filled with sea turtles who come out to lay their eggs.

If you are planning your journey during April/May or other wet months, make sure you keep an umbrella with you all the time while you are out. The rain in the Maldives is quite unpredictable and won't give you a chance to get under a shelter.

June, July, and August

June is officially the start of the low season and the rainy season in the Maldives. For someone who is not aware of the Maldives weather, the rainfall numbers are enough to keep them away from the island. But it is not like that; the maximum wet times are still to arrive in the town.

These three months are also among the low season. Most of the people don't make plans to visit the Maldives during this month. However, if you are a backpacker looking for a budget trip, these months are the best.

In June, you can get a chance to dive with the manta rays and whale sharks. The experience is fully safe, and there is nothing to worry about. However, snorkelers might not find these three months too friendly, as the sea visibility reduces greatly.

July is also termed as a great time to plan a surfing trip. You can also witness the sea turtles egg hatching. The entire sea turtle nesting and hatching process is carefully overlooked by the volunteers, and you can only witness it from a safe distance.

The rainfall in the Maldives intensifies as August comes. The outdoor activities are quite limited, but you can still have some indoor fun at your resort.

September and October

This is the time when the monsoon season reaches its peak in the Maldives. Although the maximum temperature doesn't cross 30°C, the situation is very hot and humid almost everywhere in the country.

Considering the weather, these two months are not the best time to travel to the Maldives for people who like to stay outdoors. If you want to experience the pure Maldivian resort luxury at affordable prices, there is no stopping you from planning your trip during these months.

November and December

There is a complete turnaround of tourism in the Maldives. The weather starts to settle down, and rains start to reduce. As the time progresses, the prices and crowds go up.

November is rated as the perfect time to travel to the Maldives if you want to avoid the crazy December crowds and get a pocket-friendly deal. December is officially the beginning of the peak season in the Maldives. As this month witnesses Christmas and New Year, tourists from all over the world flock here. The deals are quite expensive, so don't forget to book one for you at least 3-4 months before the departure.

Festivals in the Maldives

The Maldives is a relatively simple country and doesn't have too many festivals or events like Thailand. As Islam is the official religion here, two of the most celebrated events include Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Azha.

The Maldives also celebrate their Independence Day in full swing on the 26th of July each year. The best celebrations happen at Malé in the form of parades, cultural shows, and dance and music performances.

If you are traveling in December, you can also attend Fisherman's Day, which is held to celebrate the contributions of fishermen towards the Maldivian economy. Another event that the Maldivian people celebrate the most is the Republic Day on 11th November.

If you are looking for a tour operator to plan your trip, reach out to Virikson Holidays. They offer amazing Maldives holiday packages at highly affordable prices.