The essentials
When to go to Maldives, in brief
November to April: the dry season
Dry, 29-31°C, flat sea, 8 to 9 hours of sun a day. The best window, and the priciest at the resorts.
December to May: diving
Warm water, calm sea and excellent visibility. The best time to dive and snorkel on the reefs.
April-May and November: good value
Transition months: fine weather, fewer crowds and rates 30 to 50% below the December-March peak.
May to October: wet season
Southwest monsoon, short showers broken by sun and more wind. The southern atolls are the wettest.
May to November: manta and whale shark
Plankton draws manta rays and whale sharks, notably to Hanifaru Bay. Sighting peak August-November.
May to October: surfing
The southwest monsoon raises steady waves and offshore wind. The archipelago's best surf season.
The verdict
The best periods
Nov - April
Dry, calm sea, clear diving. The prime window for resorts and snorkeling. Book 3 months ahead for the holidays.
May & Oct-Nov
Pivot months: frequent fine weather, soft prices, manta and surf as a bonus. The year's best value for money.
June - August
Monsoon peak: more frequent showers, choppy sea and wind. Diving sometimes disrupted on exposed atolls.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
29-31°C
Dry, peak season
29-31°C
Dry, flat sea
29-32°C
Dry, clear diving
29-32°C
Dry, hottest
28-31°C
Transition, first rains
28-30°C
Monsoon, wind
28-30°C
Rainy, surf
28-30°C
Monsoon peak, manta
28-30°C
Rain, manta
28-31°C
Rain easing
28-31°C
Dry returns
28-31°C
Dry, high season
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| North & Central atolls (Malé) | Nov-Apr: 29-31°C, dry | May-Oct: moderate monsoon | Ideal Nov-April |
| Southern atolls (Addu, Laamu) | Nov-Apr: dry, calm sea | May-Oct: the wettest | Ideal Nov-April |
| Baa (Hanifaru, manta) | May-Nov: plankton, manta | Sighting peak Aug-Nov | Ideal May-Nov (wildlife) |
| Surf spots (Southeast) | May-Oct: steady swell | Offshore wind, waves | Ideal May-Oct (surf) |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Manta ray and whale shark season
Plankton draws the ocean giants, especially to Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll). Sighting peak from August to November.
🇲🇻 Baa Atoll
Surf season
The southwest monsoon raises steady waves and offshore wind on the southeastern spots, like Yin Yang at Laamu.
🇲🇻 Southern atolls
Eid al-Adha & fishing festival
Sport fishing and traditional celebrations in Addu. Islanders weave a big fish from palm leaves.
🇲🇻 Addu City
New Year's Eve at the resorts
Gala dinners, fireworks and parties on the private islands, in the heart of the dry season. Rates at their peak.
🇲🇻 Archipelago-wide
Our analysis
The Maldives is one of the rare destinations where the temperature barely moves: 29 to 31°C all year. What changes is the rain, the wind and the sea. The rule is simple: aim for the dry season, November to April.
The dry season, November to April
This is the prime window. The northeast monsoon brings dry air, a flat sea and clear skies, with 8 to 9 hours of sun a day. Diving and snorkeling are at their best, the water clear. December to March make up the peak of crowds and rates climb sharply, especially around the holidays: book your resort three months ahead.
My advice to save without sacrificing the sun: aim for April-May or November, pivot months when fine weather still dominates, with 30 to 50% off the bill.
The wet season and its upsides
From May to October, the southwest monsoon sets in. Showers are more frequent but often short, broken by sun, with stronger wind. The southern atolls are the wettest. June to August mark the peak and can hamper diving on exposed sites.
Yet this low season has two strong arguments. Surfing first: the southwest swell raises steady waves on the southeastern spots. Wildlife second: from May to November, plankton draws manta rays and whale sharks to Hanifaru Bay, peaking from August to November. For a diving-and-beach trip, stick to November-April; for wildlife and your wallet, try the off-season.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Maldives? +
From November to April: dry season, 29-31°C, calm sea, clear skies and 8 to 9 hours of sun a day. It is also the priciest period at the resorts.
When to go for diving and snorkeling? +
From December to May: warm water, calm sea and excellent visibility. Underwater conditions are at their best on the reefs and the atoll points.
Which months offer the best value for money? +
April-May and November, the transition months: frequent fine weather, fewer crowds and rates 30 to 50% below the December-March peak.
When to see manta rays and whale sharks? +
From May to November, plankton draws these giants, especially to Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll). The sighting peak falls from August to November.
Can you visit the Maldives during the wet season? +
Yes. From May to October, showers are often short and broken by sun. Prices drop and it is the season for surf and marine wildlife. Avoid June-August if you care about diving on exposed atolls.
Do you need to book far ahead? +
For high season (December to March) and especially the year-end holidays, yes: book your resort three months ahead, as the best islands fill up fast.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026