Short answer: the best time to visit the Maldives is December to April, during the dry northeast monsoon, when days are sunny, seas are calm and the water is clearest for snorkeling and diving. February and March are the driest months. The trade-off is price: this is peak season, and Christmas, New Year and February are the most expensive weeks of the year, while May to November is wetter and windier but cheaper, with the best surf and the manta ray season in Baa Atoll.
This guide explains how the two monsoons shape a trip to the Maldives, as of October 2026: what each month is like, which atoll to choose when, and the best months for diving, surfing, whale sharks and a beach holiday. For the visa, taxes, transfers and costs, see our Maldives travel guide, and plan your days with our AI trip planner.
Best time to visit the Maldives at a glance
| Goal | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best weather overall | December to April | The dry northeast monsoon: sunshine, light winds and calm seas |
| Driest month | February | About 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain on 3 days at Malé airport |
| Lowest prices | May to November, especially June and September | The southwest monsoon is the low season for resorts and guesthouses |
| Beaches and calm lagoons | January to April | Flat water for swimming, kayaking and sandbank trips |
| Diving visibility | December to April | Clear water on the eastern side of the atolls, often 25–40 m (80–130 ft) |
| Manta rays at Hanifaru Bay | About June to October | Plankton feeding in Baa Atoll during the southwest monsoon |
| Whale sharks | All year | South Ari Marine Protected Area |
| Surfing | March to May and September to November | Visit Maldives’ best surf windows in a mid-February to November season |
Maldives weather month by month
Weather month by month
The table above shows the monthly averages for Hulhulé, the Malé airport weather station, from the 1991–2020 climate normals of the Maldives Meteorological Service as submitted to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the same source as our country guide. Temperatures barely change through the year: highs stay around 30–32 °C (86–89 °F), nights around 26 °C (79 °F), and the sea is about 27–30 °C (81–86 °F). What changes is the rain, the wind and the state of the sea. The far south, around Addu City near the equator, is wetter and less seasonal than the north.
The Maldives month by month
January
Dry, sunny and settled, with light northeast winds and about 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain on 6 days at Malé. Seas are calm and visibility on the eastern reefs is excellent. It is peak season: rates are highest over New Year, and the first week of the month is still part of the holiday rush.
February
The driest month of the year, with only about 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain on 3 days at Malé airport, and the best month for pure beach weather. Mantas and whale sharks are found on the western side of the atolls, and the surf season begins around mid-month. Demand stays very high, so book resorts and seaplane transfers early. In 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin in early February (see below).
March
Hot, dry and calm, with highs around 32 °C (89 °F) and about 4 rainy days. A favorite month for divers and snorkelers, and the start of the best surf window on the North Malé breaks. Prices are high but a little below February’s.
April
The hottest month, with humidity building toward the end and about 127 mm (5.0 in) of rain on 8 days, as showers return. Seas are still mostly calm, and it is the last month of the dry season. Easter weeks are busy; the second half of April is often better value.
May
The monsoon changes, and May is one of the wettest months in the center of the country, with about 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain on 15 days at Malé, often in short, heavy showers with sun in between. Prices drop sharply, surf is good, and in Baa Atoll the Hanifaru manta season can begin.
June
Windier and rougher, with showers on about 13 days, but long sunny spells too. This is low season, with some of the year’s best resort deals. Surfers come for the swell, and the manta season in Baa is under way.
July
Mixed sun and showers. Mantas feed on the eastern side of the atolls and whale sharks cruise the reef in South Ari. European school holidays bring a moderate rise in visitors. Independence Day, July 26, is a public holiday.
August
Similar to July, with occasional stormy days and about 193 mm (7.6 in) of rain. In many years this is the peak of the manta feeding at Hanifaru Bay, so guesthouses on Dharavandhoo fill early. Speedboat crossings can be choppy.
September
Showery, with swell on the outer reefs, and one of the quietest months, so it is good for deals. The second surf window opens, and mantas continue in Baa.
October
One of the wettest months in Malé, with about 245 mm (9.7 in) of rain on 15 days, and the south is wetter still. Visitor numbers and prices are low. The manta season continues in Baa, and surfers find good conditions.
November
The transition back to the dry season: wet early in the month, drying out later, with diving visibility improving. Republic Day, November 11, is a public holiday. Prices start to rise toward the end of the month.
December
Drying out, with sunny spells and the northeast winds returning, though December still averages about 212 mm (8.4 in) of rain at Malé. From mid-December, Christmas and New Year make this the busiest, most expensive time of the year; book months ahead.
Best time to visit by atoll
Kaafu Atoll (Malé, North and South Malé)
December to April for sunshine and calm seas; March to May and September to November for surf on the North Malé breaks. Kaafu’s short speedboat transfers make it the easiest atoll in the wetter months, when longer crossings can be rough. See our Kaafu Atoll guide.
Ari Atoll
December to April for calm seas and the best visibility, especially on the western side. Whale sharks are seen year-round in the South Ari Marine Protected Area, so Ari works in every season; in the southwest monsoon, the Ariadhoo Channel crossing by speedboat can be rough. See our Ari Atoll guide.
Baa Atoll
Baa has two seasons for two kinds of trip. For the manta rays of Hanifaru Bay, come from about June to October, the peak of the southwest monsoon; Visit Maldives gives the aggregation period as about May or June to October or November. For dry, calm weather and clear water, come from December to April, when the mantas are absent from the bay. See our Baa Atoll guide.
The northern and southern atolls
The northern atolls, such as Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal, are slightly drier from January to April. The southern atolls, from Laamu to Addu City, are near the equator and get rain more evenly through the year, with about 2,240–2,280 mm (88–90 in) a year against about 1,770 mm (70 in) in the far north.
Best time for beaches, snorkeling, manta rays and surfing
Beaches and honeymoons
January to April, for the sunniest days and glassy lagoons. If your budget matters more than guaranteed sunshine, late April, May and November give good-value resort stays with plenty of sun between showers. See our beaches guide.
Snorkeling and diving
December to April, when currents generally bring clear water to the eastern side of the atolls and visibility is often 25–40 m (80–130 ft). From May to November, plankton reduces visibility on the eastern side but draws mantas there to feed. Dive guides plan each day around tides and currents. See our snorkeling and diving guides.
Manta rays and whale sharks
For the famous manta feeding at Hanifaru Bay, come from about June to October, and allow several days, since numbers depend on the tide, moon and wind. Whale sharks are seen all year in South Ari; mantas visit cleaning stations in every season, on the western side of the atolls from about December to April and on the eastern side from about May to November.
Surfing
According to Visit Maldives, the surf season runs from about mid-February to November, with the best conditions from March to May and from September to the end of November. North Malé Atoll has the most accessible breaks, and Huvadhoo Atoll in the south has quieter, often more powerful waves. See our surfing guide.
Boat trips and sandbanks
December to April, when seas are calm for sandbank picnics, dolphin cruises and seaplane flights with clear views. See our boat trips guide.
Seasons to plan around
The southwest monsoon (May to November)
The wet season does not mean constant rain. Most days bring a mix of sun and short, heavy showers, with occasional days of storms, stronger winds and bigger swell. Speedboat crossings can be rough, and seaplanes do not fly after dark or in storms, so transfers may be delayed. Flash flooding can affect streets on low-lying islands in heavy rain. Choose a resort with a sheltered house reef and an indoor plan for wet afternoons, and keep a spare night near the airport before a long-haul flight.
Ramadan and the Eid holidays
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. On local islands, cafés close in the daytime and visitors are expected not to eat, drink or smoke in public during the day; resort life continues as normal. In 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin in early February and end with Eid al-Fitr about a month later, with the exact dates set by the moon sighting. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are public holidays, when local ferries and offices may not run.
Peak holiday weeks
Christmas and New Year, February and Easter are the busiest times, when resorts can require minimum stays and seaplane seats fill. Book four to six months ahead for these weeks.
Fridays
The Maldivian weekend is Friday and Saturday. Public ferries and shared speedboats between local islands rarely run on Fridays, so plan island-hopping for other days.
How long to stay
Four or five nights is enough for one resort or a guesthouse island near Malé; a week lets you combine a local island in Ari Atoll for whale sharks with a few nights at a resort; and 10 to 14 nights let you add a liveaboard or Baa Atoll in the manta season. See the sample itineraries in our Maldives travel guide.
Best time to visit the Maldives: FAQ
What is the best month to visit the Maldives?
February, for the driest weather, calm seas and clear water. January, March and April are close behind. If you are going for the mantas of Hanifaru Bay, July and August are usually the peak.
What is the rainiest month in the Maldives?
At Malé airport, October and May are the wettest months, with about 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each on around 15 days. The far south is wettest from September to December.
What is the cheapest time to go to the Maldives?
The southwest monsoon, from May to November, is the low season, with the best resort deals usually in June, September and October. Avoid Christmas, New Year and February if you want low prices.
Is the Maldives worth visiting in the rainy season?
Yes, for many travelers. It is still about 30 °C (86 °F), showers are often short, prices are lower, and it is the season for surf, Hanifaru mantas and quieter islands. Expect some cloudy days, rougher boat rides and slightly reduced visibility on eastern reefs.
Is July a good time to visit the Maldives?
July is a reasonable month: mixed sun and showers, moderate prices outside European school holidays, mantas on the eastern side of the atolls and whale sharks in South Ari. Baa Atoll is at its best for mantas in July and August in many years.
Does the Maldives have a hurricane or cyclone season?
The Maldives sits close to the equator and is rarely hit directly by tropical cyclones. Storms and strong winds are most likely during the southwest monsoon, from May to November.
When is the sea calmest in the Maldives?
From about January to April, during the northeast monsoon, when winds are light and the lagoons are often glassy.
Sources · last reviewed 8 Oct 2026
Researched and last reviewed by TravelerCenter on 8 October 2026. Temperatures, rainfall and rainy days come from the 1991–2020 climate normals of the Maldives Meteorological Service, as submitted to the World Meteorological Organization and archived by NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, for Hulhulé (Malé airport), Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan. The surf season, the year-round whale sharks of South Ari and the Hanifaru manta season come from Visit Maldives, the national tourism promotion agency. Public holidays, Ramadan timing, the Friday weekend, transfer and ferry patterns and price seasons are general references, flagged for checking; Ramadan and Eid dates depend on the moon sighting. Weather varies from year to year, so check the forecast and your resort before you travel.
Also: Maldives Meteorological Service normals 1991–2020, Hulhulé (Malé airport) (climate)
Data: Wikidata (CC0)