Best time to visit the Maldives
The Maldives has its best weather in January and February. Peak season is December to February. For good weather with fewer crowds, aim for March.
The Maldives weather by month
Average daily high and low, rainy days (1 mm or more) and hours of sunshine per day, 2015 to 2024.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rain days | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 82°F | 80°F | 3 in | 10 | 10.9 h |
| February | 83°F | 80°F | 1.8 in | 8 | 11.1 h |
| March | 84°F | 81°F | 2.8 in | 11 | 11.2 h |
| April | 85°F | 81°F | 4.7 in | 17 | 11.2 h |
| May | 84°F | 81°F | 10.7 in | 25 | 9.6 h |
| June | 84°F | 81°F | 3.7 in | 15 | 10.7 h |
| July | 84°F | 80°F | 6.4 in | 18 | 10 h |
| August | 83°F | 80°F | 7.2 in | 17 | 10.1 h |
| September | 83°F | 80°F | 8.1 in | 20 | 10.1 h |
| October | 83°F | 80°F | 8.6 in | 21 | 10.1 h |
| November | 83°F | 79°F | 10.3 in | 22 | 9.7 h |
| December | 83°F | 80°F | 8.6 in | 19 | 10.2 h |
The Maldives month by month
The Maldives in January
Highs around 82°F, lows near 80°F. About 10 rainy days and 10.9 h of sunshine a day.
Dry season
Best weatherPeak seasonThe Maldives in February
Highs around 83°F, lows near 80°F. About 8 rainy days and 11.1 h of sunshine a day.
Dry season
Best weatherPeak seasonThe Maldives in March
Highs around 84°F, lows near 81°F. About 11 rainy days and 11.2 h of sunshine a day.
Dry season
Good weatherThe Maldives in April
Highs around 85°F, lows near 81°F. About 17 rainy days and 11.2 h of sunshine a day.
Mixed weatherThe Maldives in May
Highs around 84°F, lows near 81°F. About 25 rainy days and 9.6 h of sunshine a day.
Southwest monsoon · Manta season
Hardest monthThe Maldives in June
Highs around 84°F, lows near 81°F. About 15 rainy days and 10.7 h of sunshine a day.
Southwest monsoon · Manta season
Mixed weatherThe Maldives in July
Highs around 84°F, lows near 80°F. About 18 rainy days and 10 h of sunshine a day.
Southwest monsoon · Manta season
Mixed weatherThe Maldives in August
Highs around 83°F, lows near 80°F. About 17 rainy days and 10.1 h of sunshine a day.
Southwest monsoon · Manta season · Whale sharks
Hardest monthThe Maldives in September
Highs around 83°F, lows near 80°F. About 20 rainy days and 10.1 h of sunshine a day.
Southwest monsoon · Manta season · Whale sharks
Hardest monthThe Maldives in October
Highs around 83°F, lows near 80°F. About 21 rainy days and 10.1 h of sunshine a day.
Southwest monsoon · Manta season · Whale sharks
Hardest monthThe Maldives in November
Highs around 83°F, lows near 79°F. About 22 rainy days and 9.7 h of sunshine a day.
Southwest monsoon · Manta season · Whale sharks
Hardest monthThe Maldives in December
Highs around 83°F, lows near 80°F. About 19 rainy days and 10.2 h of sunshine a day.
Mixed weatherPeak season
Seasons and events
- Jan–Mar
Dry season
The northeast monsoon dry season runs from January to March. December and April are transition months.
Source: Maldives Meteorological Service - May–Nov
Southwest monsoonWeather risk
The wet season normally runs from mid-May to November, with more rainfall than the rest of the year.
Source: Maldives Meteorological Service - May–Nov
Manta season
Plankton gathers in Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, from May to November, drawing manta rays and whale sharks.
Source: Visit Maldives - Aug–Nov
Whale sharks
Whale sharks live in South Ari Atoll all year. The largest numbers gather from August to November.
Source: Visit Maldives
Plan the Maldives for March
Lay the trip out day by day in Waiz, on a timeline and a map, and plan it with friends in real time. Pro adds AI itineraries and the forecast for every day.
Questions about visiting the Maldives
February scores highest for weather in Malé, with highs around 83°F and about 8 rainy days. The best stretch of the year is January and February.
May is the wettest month in Malé, with about 10.7 in of rain over 25 days. February is the driest, with about 1.8 in.
Peak season is December to February, according to Visit Maldives. For good weather with fewer crowds, aim for March.
April is the warmest month in Malé, with average highs of 85°F. January is the coolest, at 82°F.
Climate figures are monthly averages of daily ERA5 reanalysis data for 2015 to 2024, retrieved from Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). The verdict scores each month on temperature, humidity, rain and daylight, and marks months with typhoons, hurricanes or monsoon rain down.
