The best time to visit the Maldives

January is the Maldives at its finest – sunny, dry and dependable across all regions. With little to no rainfall and low humidity, it’s prime time for classic resort stays in South Malé Atoll and idyllic sailing holidays through central atolls. Water clarity peaks, making it one of the best months for diving and snorkelling, especially in Ari Atoll. Resort occupancy is high, so booking in advance is key, particularly for premium water villas.

Excellent visibility reveals the famed reefs of Maaya Thila and Broken Rock. Whale sharks can be spotted year-round here, but calm seas make boat-based encounters more reliable. South Ari’s marine protected areas provide consistent sightings of turtles, reef sharks and rays. Liveaboard safaris glide through calm waters between North and South Malé, Vaavu and Meemu atolls. Daily snorkel stops, beach BBQs and uninhabited island visits round out the experience.

February mirrors January’s favourable conditions with uninterrupted sunshine, flat seas and warm temperatures. It’s a favourite for couples and honeymooners, with many resorts in Baa and Noonu Atolls offering romantic packages and overwater spa treatments. Snorkelling and kayaking are particularly rewarding due to exceptional visibility and calm lagoons. Prices remain high, but quieter beaches can still be found in northern and southern atolls.

Secluded resorts like those in Noonu offer private sandbank dinners, overwater hammocks and bespoke experiences such as dolphin cruises at sunset. Water clarity enhances lagoon snorkelling and coral garden paddles. With some of the Maldives’ clearest reefs, Lhaviyani offers easy access to marine life just metres from the shore. Expect to see parrotfish, moray eels and reef sharks in tranquil, sunlit waters.

The final month of the dry season retains good weather but sees rising humidity and a hint of seasonal transition. This is a sweet spot for divers and photographers, with outstanding light conditions and colourful reef life. It’s also a time when cultural life emerges. Southern atolls like Addu and Gaafu Alif are excellent for diving, offering less-crowded sites and shipwrecks.

March is perfect for diving the WWII wreck of the British Loyalty and coral-encrusted reefs of Addu’s southern fringe. Visibility remains high and dive boats are less crowded than in the central atolls. A local island in Kaafu Atoll, Maafushi offers a glimpse into real Dhivehi life. Visit mosques, chat with craftspeople and enjoy fresh seafood without the high-end resort price tag.

April straddles the line between seasons, still mostly dry but with occasional showers, especially later in the month. Sea temperatures are at their warmest and underwater visibility remains strong. Divers can still enjoy excellent conditions in Ari Atoll, while those seeking fewer crowds may prefer southern reaches like Laamu or Huvadhoo. With Easter holidays, family travel increases, but shoulder-season pricing begins to emerge after mid-month.

Laamu’s remote reefs are thriving in April, with playful spinner dolphins and reef sharks making regular appearances. Surf season is just starting, attracting early riders to Ying Yang surf break. Many resorts offer Easter-themed kids’ activities, dolphin cruises and marine biology sessions. Calm lagoons and short transfers make this region ideal for multi-generational travel.

May marks the start of the southwest monsoon (Hulhangu), bringing windier weather and more frequent showers, particularly in the afternoons. Despite this, it’s a rewarding time for those seeking value and adventure. Surfing conditions improve, especially in the southern atolls and marine encounters increase as plankton-rich currents attract manta rays and whale sharks. Surfers begin to head south as swells build. Thaa Atoll’s uncrowded breaks like Malik’s and Finnimas offer ideal conditions for intermediate and advanced surfers in a laid-back setting. Plankton blooms begin to gather in Hanifaru Bay. While official snorkelling season peaks later, early sightings of mantas around the atoll’s outer reefs and cleaning stations are possible.

June is one of the Maldives’ wettest months, but rain tends to come in bursts. It’s also the start of one of the most exciting wildlife periods, especially in Baa Atoll. This is prime time for value-seeking travellers and divers chasing epic marine life. Expect dramatic skies, fewer tourists and rich underwater life.

June also kicks off the feeding frenzy as plankton-rich currents funnel into the bay. Dozens of manta rays and occasional whale sharks circle in tight spirals, offering an extraordinary snorkelling experience. Despite surface showers, diving remains excellent below. Liveaboard routes through North Ari, Vaavu and Meemu Atolls allow divers to encounter pelagics, reef sharks and coral drifts with minimal crowds.

Rainfall continues, but marine life remains abundant and surf conditions peak. July’s mix of marine spectacle and cultural celebration (Independence Day on the 26th) makes it a compelling off-peak month. Resorts in Lhaviyani and Raa offer stormy-sky sunsets and rates remain low. It’s a good time to enjoy spa and wellness stays interspersed with dive or surf sessions. Combine reef breaks with rejuvenating spa retreats at resorts like Ayada. The surf is strong, but protected lagoons nearby offer calm spaces for paddleboarding and marine biologist-led reef walks. Join Independence Day celebrations in inhabited islands like Hithadhoo or Mahibadhoo. Expect parades, traditional music and communal meals, a rare chance to see community spirit in action.

Weather in August remains unpredictable, but temperatures are warm and marine conditions ideal for snorkellers and divers. Eid al-Adha, when it falls this month, offers insight into Maldivian customs. Whale shark sightings are increasingly common in South Ari, while manta ray activity intensifies in Baa. Expect better rates, though some resorts host family holiday specials during school breaks.

Maamigili Marine Area offers near-daily encounters. August’s overcast skies don’t hinder underwater visibility much and sightings from both boat and snorkel are possible. This friendly local island welcomes travellers to partake in Eid festivities with traditional meals, music and cultural shows, offering a more immersive experience beyond luxury resorts.

Often the wettest month of the year, September is also one of the richest for marine experiences. Crowds are minimal, resorts run special offers and snorkelling in Baa Atoll reaches its peak. Rainstorms are common but rarely last all day. With the right timing, it’s possible to enjoy extraordinary encounters in solitude.

Hanifaru Bay experiences its most concentrated manta aggregations. Rangers enforce group sizes, ensuring a sustainable but thrilling experience as mantas perform feeding loops mere metres away. Photographers love September’s dramatic cloud formations, especially in Noonu and Raa Atolls. Long exposures of turquoise seas under brooding skies capture the Maldives in a more moody, evocative light.

October marks the transition back to the dry season, with showers beginning to ease. It’s one of the best months for a balanced visit; wildlife is still active and weather improves steadily. Crowds remain low, but resorts begin preparing for the high season. October is also a time of local celebration, with resorts hosting cultural performances.

Vaavu’s famous Fotteyo Kandu and Golden Wall dive sites offer incredible coral coverage and schooling fish. October brings strong currents, drawing in pelagics like grey reef sharks. Many resorts invite local drummers and dancers to perform traditional Bodu Beru music. Under open skies, guests enjoy a rhythmic celebration of Maldivian culture, often alongside Maldivian cuisine nights.

November welcomes the return of the dry season with clearer skies and calm seas, especially mid to late month. It’s a perfect time for snorkelling and first-time visitors, particularly in Ari and Malé Atolls. Fewer tourists mean more personalised service and resorts begin ramping up for the festive season. Rasdhoo’s lagoon hosts docile nurse sharks and abundant reef life. Conditions are excellent in November and the island’s guesthouses offer more affordable ways to explore. Flat seas make late-November ideal for sunset cruises aboard traditional dhonis. Keep an eye out for dolphins while sipping fresh coconut on deck.

December begins quietly but crescendos with festive season travel from mid-month. Early December still offers decent rates and good weather; by Christmas, top resorts, especially in Baa and Ari, are booked out. Diving remains superb and seasonal winds drop off. High-end resorts such as Soneva Fushi or Amilla Fushi go all out with curated holiday programming: private chefs, floating breakfasts, kids’ treasure hunts and reef snorkels with Santa. Finish the year exploring thilas and channels teeming with life. Expect eagle rays, reef sharks and the occasional manta ray—all in exceptional visibility.