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Best time to visit Maldives: month by month
Short answer
December to April is the dry north-east monsoon season, with calm seas and sunshine (as few as 5 rainy days in February in the data); it is also the most expensive. May to November brings more rain and wind but lower prices and manta season in Baa Atoll. Temperatures stay about 28–29°C all year.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 26°C | 11 | very high |
| Feb | 28°C | 27°C | 5 | very high |
| Mar | 28°C | 27°C | 16 | high |
| Apr | 29°C | 27°C | 16 | high |
| May | 29°C | 27°C | 23 | medium |
| Jun | 29°C | 27°C | 11 | low |
| Jul | 29°C | 27°C | 21 | medium |
| Aug | 28°C | 27°C | 16 | medium |
| Sep | 28°C | 26°C | 17 | low |
| Oct | 28°C | 26°C | 19 | medium |
| Nov | 28°C | 26°C | 21 | medium |
| Dec | 28°C | 26°C | 21 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Hot and mostly calm in March–April, about 28–29°C; May marks the start of the wetter south-west monsoon.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Wetter and windier, about 28–29°C, with 11–21 rainy days a month; lower prices and manta rays in Baa Atoll.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Changeable, with showers on many days; good value and fewer visitors.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dry, sunny and calm, about 28°C; peak season, highest prices around Christmas and New Year.
Events worth planning around
- Manta ray season at Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll (roughly June to November)
- Independence Day (26 July)
- Ramadan and Eid, following the Islamic calendar
When to avoid
Avoid Christmas and New Year if you want lower prices. Avoid the wettest weeks of the south-west monsoon (often May–June) if you want guaranteed calm seas.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit the Maldives?
December to April, for dry weather and calm seas.
Is the rainy season bad?
Showers are often short, prices are lower and manta season is excellent; some days are windy.
When can I see manta rays?
In Baa Atoll roughly June to November, especially at Hanifaru Bay.