Best time to visit

The Maldives in April

The hottest month: the end of the dry season, with calm seas before the monsoon turns.

April at a glance^*

127 mmof rain this month, in a normal year

9days with rain

260hours of sunshine, about 9 a day

27–32°Cfrom night low to day high

Hulhulé, by Malé: WMO climate normals 1991–2020

A changeover month: the northeast winds fade before the southwest monsoon arrives.

Warm and humid. Rain starts to pick up as the monsoon nears.

April is the hottest month of the year.

The sea is warm all year, around 28°C on average.

The last month of the northeast monsoon. The Maldives Meteorological Service counts April as a changeover month.

High season: by visitor spending, one of the six busiest months of the year.

$493 millionvisitors spent in April 2025Rank 5 of 12 months by spending

Manta raysIn the northeast monsoon they feed on the west side of the atolls, for example Rangali Madivaru in South Ari Atoll and the west of Raa Atoll.
Whale sharksSouth Ari Atoll's marine protected area has whale sharks all year, mostly young males. Researchers found no season in how many visit.
SurfingOne of the best stretches of the surf season, from March to May.
Snorkelling and divingCalmer seas and sunny days make boat trips easy.

Busy months: book early, especially local-island guesthouses, which may not have rooms on arrival.
The hottest month: find shade at midday and drink plenty of water.
Seaplanes fly in daylight only, so a late arrival can mean a night near the airport.
With mantas and whale sharks, keep at least 3 m away, don't touch and don't chase.

Is April a good time to visit the Maldives?

Yes, if you like heat. April is the hottest month and the last of the dry season; rain picks up towards May.

Does it rain in the Maldives in April?

In a normal year Hulhulé, near Malé, gets about 127 mm of rain on 9 days this month. Rain usually comes as showers, with sunny spells in between.

Can I see manta rays in April?

In the northeast monsoon they feed on the west side of the atolls, for example Rangali Madivaru in South Ari Atoll and the west of Raa Atoll.

How warm is the sea in April?

Warm all year: around 28°C on average, according to Visit Maldives.

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* 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).