Best time to visit
Best time to visit the Maldives
December to April is the dry season and the most expensive. May to October brings the south-west monsoon: more cloud, rain and wind, but also big discounts and, for divers, manta ray season.
- Best value
- Busy and pricier
- Quiet
Temperatures barely change all year, staying around 28 to 30°C. The difference is rain, sea conditions and price.
Where timing differs
- Resort islandsBusy and pricier
Christmas and Easter prices peak.
- Hanifaru BayBest value
Manta rays gather from June to November.
Month by month in Malé
- J27°
- F28°
- M28°
- A29°
- M29°
- J28°
- J28°
- A28°
- S28°
- O28°
- N27°
- D27°
Best valueBusy and pricierQuiet
Average temperature each month (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2025), coloured by season.
Two seasons
- December to April (dry season): calm seas, clear water and the most sunshine. Prices peak at Christmas and Easter.
- May to November (wet season): more rain and wind, with short heavy showers. Prices drop.
- Manta rays: from June to November in Baa Atoll.
- Whale sharks: seen year round in South Ari Atoll.
Wet season isn't a washout
Rain in the Maldives usually comes in short bursts, with sunshine between. The sea stays warm all year. If you want a bargain and don't mind the odd storm, May, June and September to November can be great value.
Before you go
- Shoulder months (April and November) mix good weather with lower prices.
Stay and do
Ready to book Maldives? Compare places to stay and things to do.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our ratings.