Maldives is one of the beautiful tourist paradise in the world. But what is the most beautiful season to go to the Maldives, when is the most reasonable time with the lowest cost? Obviously, the dry season from December to April every year, the sky is blue and sunny, but the cost is also the highest. This article will help you learn about the climate and weather in the Maldives, choose the right season to travel to Maldives with the “most pleasant” price. So, is it a good time to go to Maldives in December, when is the best time of year to travel to Maldives, when is the best time to go to Maldives, when is the best time to travel to Maldives, when is the best time to visit Maldives (when is best to visit Maldives, when to visit Maldives weather) as well as the worst time to visit the Maldives? Let’s find out the answer in the article below to help you planning a perfect trip to the paradise on earth!
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When is the best time to visit Maldives: Weather in Maldives
Two main seasons in Maldives
The weather in the Maldives is divided into two distinct seasons, the dry season and the rainy season, they are influenced by wind directions. These wind directions blow in 2 opposite directions creating 2 typical seasons in the Maldives.
- Dry northeast monsoon from December to April: It’s the “dry season” but it doesn’t mean there won’t be rain! In fact, the weather is more stable and there is less chance of rain. Light rain in the afternoon and evening usually occurs in the southern atolls. The least amount of rain if you go in February and March in atoll regions in the northern Maldives.
- Westerly moist monsoon from mid-May to November: This period is likely to appear short storms, lasting a few days but there will be bright sunshine soon after. The weather is really unpredictable and changing constantly, tending to rain more at night. The transition months from October to early December can be particularly volatile, with more erratic rain and shine.
Weather and temperature in regions of Maldives
However, due to the islands in the Maldives are located at quite a distance from each other stretching a long distance of more than 800 km from north to south. So the weather will vary across the country, even from island to island in the same region. The southern atolls receive more rainfall annually than the north atolls. However, rain tends to be less frequent in the southern atolls during the wet season, as they are less prone to the southwest monsoon, and wind less and more sunny.
The temperature in the Maldives is quite stable because it is located right on the equator. The weather is hot and warm all year round, with average temperatures rarely dropping below 25 degrees Celsius at night or rising above 31 degrees Celsius during the day. The humidity is also constant and high, at around 80%. The sea water is also very pleasant, with an average temperature of about 28 degrees Celsius.
Average monthly temperature, rainfall and time of day:
Month | Average temperature | Rainfall | Bright time of day (h) |
---|---|---|---|
January | 82 F | 3 inches | 12 |
February | 82 F | 2 inches | 12 |
March | 84 F | 2.9 inches | 12 |
April | 84 F | 5.2 inches | 12 |
May | 84 F | 8.5 inches | 12 |
June | 84 F | 6.8 inches | 12 |
July | 82 F | 5.8 inches | 12 |
August | 82 F | 7.4 inches | 12 |
September | 82 F | 9.6 inches | 12 |
October | 82 F | 8.7 inches | 12 |
November | 82 F | 7.9 inches | 12 |
December | 82 F | 9.1 inches | 12 |
When is the best time to travel to Maldives: Monthly weather and important events
Although there are two main seasons in the Maldives, when planning a trip to the Maldives, you will find resorts divided into many different seasons. Includes 4 seasons corresponding to different room rates arranged in order from low to high: low season (May-September), shoulder-season (October-December), high season (January-April) and special peak season (Christmas and New Year).
High Season – Dry season, the peak season from January to April
January
As the most popular tourist month in the Maldives, due to Westerners want to come here to escape the cold. Room rates are the highest of the year and especially on New Year’s Eve. You need to make a reservation in advance for this period. The weather is stable and sunny, with an average of 3 days of rain per month in the northern region and gradually increasing to 10 days in the south.
Holiday: Huravee Day honors Sultan Hussain Izzudin, featuring traditional music, food and dancing. This holiday varies according to the Muslim calendar.
February
This is the driest month of the year, according to statistics, the north only has a few rainy days in the month. The number of rainy days in the south is also reduced to about 5 days. Room rates are still high, and especially crowded on Valentine’s Day.
March
The number of rainy days remained stable in the north but started to increase in the south, mainly with very brief, sudden rains that stopped soon after. Surfing season takes place in the Maldives in March. March will have some incentives for guests who book in the summer, you can start your summer vacation this month.
April
Temperatures and humidity are slightly higher in April, when the transition from the dry northeast monsoon to the southwest moist monsoon begins. This causes more rain, including afternoon showers, increasing in frequency from mid-month. The number of rainy days per month in the North will be lower than in the South.
This is a peak time with very crowded tourists flock from Europe because it coincides with Easter, prices will be a bit higher than other seasons. The Maldives is a Muslim country and the holy month of Ramadan often begins in mid-April ever year. Resort islands will not be affected but restaurants will be closed on local islands as Muslims fast all day.
Low Season – Rainy season, the low season from May to September
May
The resorts will have better rates starting in May. In the second half of May, the weather can be more humid, there is a high chance of storms and rain all day, visibility when diving will be reduced. The month of Ramadan ends on Eid holiday in mid-May, families in the Maldives often gather to organize parties and meals. Rainstorms will also interfere with sailing at sea, and Seaplane flights in the Maldives will also be affected.
June, July
The southwest monsoon covers the country in early June and eases slightly in July. The forecast is quite cloudy, with drizzle in the morning and evening and some downpours. At this time, the resorts will have promotions and strong discounts to attract guests to stay. The atolls in the south seem to be a slightly more suitable choice than other ones in the north.
Holiday: Maldives Independence Day (July 26 and 27), marking the day the Maldives gained independence from the British in 1965.
August
The number of rainy days continues to decrease slightly in the North, especially towards the end of August. Sometimes is still rainy, but this is the holiday time of Westerners and Europeans, so prices will be higher than in May, June, June and September.
September
In this month the weather in the Maldives is quite unpredictable. It may rain heavily, or there may be only brief rains on some days. This is one of the least touristy periods in the Maldives, with good room rates and more deals. The number of rainy days in the North and the South is the same, an average of about 13 days in a month.
Shoulder-season from October to December
October
The moist southwest monsoon begins to recede in October, creating rather unsettled weather. The number of rainy days in the South increased to an average of 15 days, far exceeding the number of rainy days in the North. Surfing season ends in October. This is also the last month for you to see baby sharks and rays in the south. Room rates started to rise again.
Holiday: National day commemorating the end of 15 years of Portuguese occupation of the Maldives, in 1573. The date is set according to the Islamic calendar and changes every year, with marches in the capital Male.
November
The change in wind direction, combined with the transition from the southwest monsoon to the northeast monsoon in November, reduced the number of rainy days in the North but still remains high. There are torrential downpours that tend to clear up quickly in the afternoons. This is the last month to find a great resort deal before the peak season really kicks in.
Holiday
- Victory Day (November 3) commemorates the failure of a coup plotted by a terrorist group from Sri Lanka in 1988, featuring military parades.
- Republic Day (November 11) marks the day the Sultanate’s rule was replaced by a republican government in 1968. There will be parades and music performances in the capital Male.
December
December is the beginning of the peak season, the dry season in the Maldives. You’ll still get some rain early in the month, before the weather changes completely. Preparing for year-end holidays such as Christmas and welcoming the new year, the resorts will offer more activities.
Holiday: Fisherman’s Day (December 10) honors the country’s fishermen who make great contributions to the economy. Educational events and traditional fishing festivals are also held.
Special peak season
The peak time of the year takes place from the Christmas holiday on December 24, the peak to welcome the new year on December 31, and ends before January 10 every year. At this time, room rates are always the highest of the year, especially resorts always collect surcharges for entertainment and dining activities at the resort on two special days, December 24 and December 31. The surcharge rate depends on the luxury level of the resort.
When is the best time to visit Maldives? In which season should you travel to the Maldives?
To summarize, which is the cheapest season to go to the Maldives? And to save the most traveling cost? For tourists from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries to the Maldives, the general trend is still to go a lot in the summer from May to August. This is the season with the most “comfortable” prices, and it’s the right summer vacation, so everyone goes more. Although it often rains, the rain in the Maldives do not last long and the sun returns quite quickly. It’s bad luck to go on the right rainy day for many days in a row.
If you have a good budget and good finances, you must definitely go in the peak season from January to April every year. At this time, the weather is at its best, the Maldives is truly a paradise on earth, the sky is blue with sparkling water, ensuring a perfect trip. You can also choose to go on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the price is not surcharged, but they have a long vacation.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Maldives you can refer to
- Maldives Day Tour from Hulhumale
- Discover Scuba Dive in Maldives
- Male Island Hopping Tour
- 4G SIM Card for Maldives (MY Delivery) by Mewfi
Are you looking for more Maldives travel guide and top things to do in Maldives: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Maldives travel blog — The fullest Maldives travel guide for a great trip on a budget for the first-timers.