Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Maldives
Dry and sunny from December to April, wetter and quieter from May to November, and warm all year.
Two seasons
The northeast monsoon, Iruvai, is the dry season: from December to April, with the least rain from January to March.
The southwest monsoon, Hulhangu, is the wet season. It usually starts in mid-May and lasts until November. Rain usually comes as showers, with sunny spells in between.
The south of the country gets more rain over a year than the north: about 2,218 mm against 1,779 mm.
The sea is warm all year, around 28°C on average.
Month by month*
- JanuaryDry season · 87 mm of rain · 258 hours of sun
- FebruaryDry season · 38 mm of rain · 264 hours of sun
- MarchDry season · 49 mm of rain · 288 hours of sun
- AprilChangeover · 127 mm of rain · 260 hours of sun
- MayWet season · 238 mm of rain · 223 hours of sun
- JuneWet season · 146 mm of rain · 211 hours of sun
- JulyWet season · 198 mm of rain · 212 hours of sun
- AugustWet season · 193 mm of rain · 229 hours of sun
- SeptemberWet season · 214 mm of rain · 208 hours of sun
- OctoberWet season · 245 mm of rain · 230 hours of sun
- NovemberChangeover · 236 mm of rain · 204 hours of sun
- DecemberChangeover · 212 mm of rain · 215 hours of sun
Rain and sun at Hulhulé, by Malé, in a normal year: WMO climate normals 1991–2020
High and low season
By visitor spending in 2025, the busiest months were February, December and March; the quietest were May, June and July.
Places to stay fill up first in the dry season, so book early for December to April.
What to see when
- Manta raysAll year: on the west side of the atolls from December to April, on the east side from May to November.
- Hanifaru BayBaa Atoll's protected bay, at its best in the southwest monsoon, from May to November.
- Whale sharksAll year, in South Ari Atoll's marine protected area.
- SurfingMid-February to November; best from March to May and September to November. North Malé Atoll is the easiest to reach.
Questions
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
For sun and calm seas, December to April, the dry northeast monsoon. February is the driest month and March the sunniest. May to November is wetter and quieter, and the best time for mantas in Baa Atoll.
When is the rainy season in the Maldives?
The southwest monsoon, from about mid-May to November. Rain usually comes as showers, with sunny spells in between.
When can I see manta rays in the Maldives?
All year. They feed on the west side of the atolls from December to April, and on the east side from May to November, when Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll fills with feeding mantas.
When can I see whale sharks in the Maldives?
All year, in South Ari Atoll's marine protected area. Researchers found no season in how many whale sharks visit.
When is surf season in the Maldives?
From mid-February to November. The best months are March to May and September to November.
Plan your trip
Tell Aurora when you can travel and what you love. She suggests the month and the places that fit.
* Sources: Maldives Meteorological Service (seasons and climate), WMO climate normals 1991–2020 (rain, sun and temperature at Hulhulé), Visit Maldives (surf season, sea temperature), Visit Maldives (manta sites), Manta Trust (Hanifaru Bay), Manta Trust (manta seasons), Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (whale sharks), MMA (visitor spending).