When is the Best Time to Go to the Maldives?

The best time of the year to visit the Maldives for a diving and snorkelling holiday is generally over the Autumn and Winter months, from around September to March.

This period of the dry season will give you a good balance of dry, warm conditions and the best visibility while scuba diving. Daily weather conditions may mean visibility is slightly reduced.

However, September to March is a long window, so if you have your heart set on diving with a certain type of fish or marine life there may be a better month for you to travel. For example, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) says that an excellent time for diving with manta rays and whale sharks is between August and November.

We offer many excellent whale and shark diving liveaboard holidays in the Maldives, such as those we host aboard the Emperor Voyager. We would love to tell you more, so get in touch with us for more information and find your dream, value-for-money diving holiday in the Maldives.

Below, we have listed the months of the year that are considered the best times for travelling to the Maldives:

We will now explain some of the nuances of the different seasons and provide some more details on when it is best to travel to the Maldives, depending on what you plan to do:

When is the Dry Season in the Maldives?

The Maldives is in the dry season during its winter months, and it is a very popular destination for UK holidaymakers during this time. August to April are the main dry season months. However, at the perimeters of this period you will see changing weather, hot and humid conditions or sudden rain showers, and even thunder and the occasional storm.
The dry season will attract large creatures to the surrounding waters of the Maldives, so it is an excellent time for dives with the whale sharks that are drawn to the warm waters to feed on plankton. The dry season is the best time for diving, so check out all of our Maldives diving holidays.

When is the Rainy Season in the Maldives?

The wet season in the Maldives occurs from late April to early to mid-August, so you can expect strong swells, rain showers or thunderstorms and humid conditions day-to-day. As a result, the rainy season is not good for diving. However, there is still plenty to do and breaks of sunshine provide ample opportunity for other activities, such as Maldives Independence Day on the 26th of July.

One incredible, life-changing thing to do in the rainy season in the Maldives is to view beautiful bioluminescent plankton. This rare phenomenon occurs in a few select spots on Earth and the Maldives is one of them. Rain agitates the water, bringing the glowing plankton to the surface.

When is the High Season in the Maldives?

It does not matter whether you are going to the Maldives on holiday, for a honeymoon, or for a unique life-changing scuba diving experience – the high season is between December and April. People mostly head to the islands during January, February and March, but the peak usually starts in mid-December, when trips over the New Year period are in particular demand.

It is a popular time for travelling to the Maldives for a reason. Diving conditions are excellent, with temperatures of 26°C to 29°C and visibility of 15 metres to 40 metres – depending on the dive site. Air temperatures for beach and resort holidays are around  25°C to 31°C.

When is Surfing Season in the Maldives?

The dry season means that there are warm, tranquil waters around the various islands in the Maldives archipelago. This is great for diving and beach holidays, but not great for surfing. For surfing, the best time to go is on the cusp of the rainy season, where swells are easy to predict. April to June is an ideal time as from July onwards conditions can become very stormy.

Surfing is entirely possible in the early months of the year, January, February or March, but any earlier in the dry season will mean minimal swells and less fun surfing. Many tour operators also prioritise the scuba divers at this time, too, as the conditions are more suited to this type of sport.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Maldives for Good Weather?

The Maldives is an island paradise with many amazing hotels, resorts, and natural landscapes to enjoy, so lots of people go simply for a destination with warm, sunny weather, sandy beaches and comfortable, tranquil waters. If the nice tropical weather is your priority then it is best to go before the dry season ends and the wet season begins. November to February is a very safe bet.

Late August to April may be the dry season, but going close to the start or end of the wet season gives you a higher chance of humid, wet, and windy weather. As the seasons change there are lots of transitional days in August and April, so going toward the middle of the dry season is wise.

Which Month is Best to Visit the Maldives for a Honeymoon?

The typical honeymoon will often feature sunny, warm weather and calm, tranquil seas in a tropical island setting. As a result, it is usually best to go well into the dry season and well before the wet season. November to March is a very good option for honeymoons, especially close to the beginning and end of this window when much of the high season is over or yet to begin.

Honeymooners who want a diving holiday can also go during this time, or even slightly earlier in late summer and early Autumn, such as August to October. Of course, it does depend on your interests (surfer couples may want to go in May or June) but the dry season is usually best.

Travelling Late in the Season to the Maldives

If you choose to enjoy the late season, typically beginning around April and lasting until after the Summer, you may experience some of the celebrations and customs associated with the Holy Month of Ramadan. This can allow you to experience a vibrant time in the Maldives with a more cultural twist. Expect traditional teas, coffees, sweets and other foods in the Maldives hotels. 

Non-Muslims sometimes feel unsure about the restrictions on food and drink during Ramadan, but the celebrations will not affect any guests. Legal exceptions are made for tourists to act as normal during this month, but it is advised to be aware that staff you interact with may be fasting.

The Best Time of the Year to Go to the Maldives Explained

The Maldives’ weather is tropical and has several distinct seasons. There is something to do at almost any time of year in the Maldives, but going during the rainy season is not recommended for diving as the conditions are not good for visibility and the swells are more suitable for surfing.

For most types of holidays, the dry season of late August to late April is the best time to go. However, there are busy periods during the dry season, including the high season of December to April. High season holidays are often more expensive due to increased demand.
We offer safe, fun, and friendly diving experiences all over the world, with the Maldives being one of our most popular destinations. Our team is happy to discuss options for a life-changing dive trip to the Maldives. Get in touch with us to book a dream diving holiday.