For those who are too lazy to read the entire article, the weather in Maldives is suitable for vacationing all year round, with the high season lasting from the end of October to May. However, tourists also travel during the monsoon season (rainy season). The article covers all the specifics, water temperature, UV index, and many other interesting details that will help you better understand the weather in Maldives and choose the perfect time for your vacation.
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Maldives without these websites
Table of Contents
Weather in Maldives: general information
Looking at the world map, the Maldives are located on the equator in the center of the Indian Ocean. It is often assumed that because the country is on the equator, the climate is equatorial, but in this case, it is not.
Interesting fact:
The Indian Ocean’s waters and the monsoons blowing from India have created a tropical climate in the Maldives. In general, you can confidently tell everyone that you are traveling to the tropical islands.
Interesting article: which sea is in the Maldives. Technically, it is the Indian Ocean, but in reality, you will be vacationing on the sea :).
Below are some general points about the weather in Maldives that will help you form a better picture:
- As the country is on the equator, the average daily temperature does not vary much throughout the year. There is only a few degrees’ difference between the coldest and hottest months of the year.
- The same applies to the water temperature. The coldest month, February, is considered the best for vacationing and the most comfortable for swimming in the ocean.
- In fact, there are only three types of weather in Maldives:
- Hot and sunny
- Rain
- Wind, also known as the monsoon
- There is no other type of weather.
Air and water temperature in the Maldives by month
Below is a table of air and water temperature in the Maldives by month. One important thing to note is that since the country is stretched out for almost 1000km, the weather in different parts of the Maldives can vary. The table provides “average” data for the central atolls, where most tourists go.
- How to get cheap flights to the Maldives: what you need to know when buying tickets.
| Month | Air temp, C | Water temp, C |
| January | 28,9 | 28,3 |
| February | 29,1 | 28,4 |
| March | 30 | 28,8 |
| April | 30,9 | 30 |
| May | 30,8 | 29,8 |
| June | 30,4 | 29,6 |
| July | 30,2 | 29 |
| August | 29,9 | 28,9 |
| September | 29,8 | 29 |
| October | 29,7 | 29 |
| November | 29,6 | 28,8 |
| December | 29,4 | 28,7 |
Weather in Maldives, an important feature:
On the Maldives, no one looks at the weather forecast; nobody is interested in knowing the temperature of the air or water for tomorrow. All that a tourist needs is the UV index and whether it will rain. In the high season, the UV index is of interest, and during the monsoon season, it is the rain. Read on for more details.
The monsoon season, or the Hulhangu (rainy season).
A little bit of general theory to help you speak correctly and understand the whole process:
- A monsoon is a type of wind that blows from the tropics to the equator in the summer and vice versa in the winter.
- Specifically on the Maldives, monsoons blow all year round.
- The winter monsoon that blows from October to April is called Irubai in the Maldivian language.
- The summer monsoon from May to September is called Hulhangu.
- All a tourist needs to know about the Maldivian language – dhivehi and necessary vocabulary.
Interesting to know:
The weather in Maldives during the winter monsoon is dry and warm with a gentle breeze, making it the ideal time to relax. From November to April, no one mentions the word monsoon. On the other hand, the low season, when the summer monsoon arrives in the Maldives, is considered the rainy or monsoon season. At this time, there are strong winds and heavy rainfalls.
If the dry high season is clear, I will stop a little on the weather in Maldives during the rainy season. Many who have vacationed in Southeast Asian countries run to return their tickets upon hearing the words “rainy season.” They know that during this time, a tropical downpour can last for two to three weeks without ending. But that is not the case in the Maldives.
Rainy season in the Maldives, features:
- Tropical downpours are abundant but short-lived. Rarely does it rain for more than an hour, and the water immediately sinks into the sand. Within 15 minutes after the rain ends, everything is dry.
- Winds are sometimes strong and gusty, but they do not uproot palm trees. There are no hurricanes like in the Caribbean.
- The sun always shines after the rain.
- Usually, there is only one shower per day, and sometimes it may not rain every day.
The rainiest month in the Maldives:
It’s May. In May, the rains can last for almost the entire month, making it not the best time to vacation in the Maldives. In June, the amount of rainfall drops by 2-3 times compared to May. You can comfortably vacation in the Maldives at any time of the year, even during the rainy season, except in May, when there may be difficulties 🙂
I would like to note that every year is different. Sometimes it can rain heavily even in October, to the point where you can’t leave your bungalow. But the weather is unpredictable, and even meteorologists cannot predict it for more than two days in advance. So, if you happen to come to the Maldives in, say, August and experience rain more than once a day, please don’t blame me!
About UV index
Now, let’s talk about the weather-related dangers in the Maldives.
Let’s start with the high-season ultraviolet index (UV index). You need to pay attention to this index during any winter month when there are no clouds in the sky.
The UV index is
a measure of how much ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth’s surface.
- The atmosphere and clouds easily absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
- Because the Earth is slightly flattened at the poles, the atmosphere at the equator is thinner, meaning that more ultraviolet radiation reaches the surface.
- Additionally, the sun’s rays enter the atmosphere at the equator at a right angle. As a result, the distance that sunlight travels on the equator is shorter.
In summary, the World Health Organization has developed a UV index scale. Anything above 8 is considered an extreme level, and you can get sunburned in 20-30 minutes literally to blisters.
In our latitudes (Europe), on a sunny and cloudless summer day at noon when the sun is most active, the UV index is usually around 6-7, or maybe 8. However, in the Maldives, the UV index is 11 or higher every day, sometimes even reaching 14.
It’s important to know that:
in the Maldives, from 12 PM to 3 PM daily, it’s best to avoid being in direct sunlight. Keep an eye on children and bring all possible sunscreens with you. I’ve seen cases where tourists had to be rushed to the hospital in Malé. It’s crucial to have comprehensive insurance coverage in case of such emergencies.
However, if there are clouds in the sky, the UV Index drops instantly to 4-6, which is much less dangerous. The key is to avoid direct sunlight during the day or to actively apply sunscreen.
Weather in Maldives and transportation
During the rainy season in the Maldives, there is another danger to consider: transportation cancellations to and from your hotel or the airport. Here’s what you need to know:
- Hydroplanes, ferries, and speedboats do not operate in bad weather, strong winds, and during dark hours.
- Cancellations and delays are much more common during the rainy season.
- If you’ve just arrived in the Maldives, your transfer to your island may be canceled until morning, leaving you to spend the night in Male and wait out the bad weather.
- On the way back to the airport, tourists are usually taken in any case so they don’t miss their flight. However, this means riding high waves, strong winds, and spending two hours on a speedboat in the open ocean. Be sure to take motion sickness pills, avoid eating for two hours before departure, and keep a bag handy. This transfer will be memorable for a long time.
Read more about transfers on speedboats in the Maldives: what they are, how much they cost, and where to book.
Tips for tourists: when is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The best season to visit the Maldives is
from December to March, when there is almost no wind or rain and the sun is always shining. However, the high season is considered to be from October to April. The best time to visit the Maldives is during New Year’s. Check out the link in the article for everything you need to know about spending Christmas and New Year’s here.
Tourists visit the Maldives for vacation year-round, even in May. In my opinion, May can still be a great time for a vacation, but the risks of rain and wind are higher. However, every year is different.
Even during the rainy season, there are some advantages to vacationing in the Maldives:
- During the rainy season, the water is murky, and snorkeling and diving are not as good. However, the chances of encountering whale sharks and manta rays are higher, as they prefer murky water.
- Learn more about diving in the Maldives.
In conclusion, the weather in Maldives is perfect for vacationing all year round. It’s ideal to come here in winter for Christmas and New Year’s and in February. However, you can still have a great time in July and June. There’s no need to fear the rain, it’s warm and tropical here. And there are no destructive hurricanes.
If you enjoyed the article and the content in this guide, you can buy me a coffee ^_^
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to the Maldives
- Flight tickets and the best deals
- Tour packages (from budget to luxury): Expedia
- Hotels and guesthouses on any island:
- 12go is the largest Asian transfer service. It gathers all Maldivian carriers, even the small ones that operate between local islands.
- Tours and excursions: Viator – a limited selection of excursions, but convenient and reliable.
- Comprehensive insurance: EKTA
- eSIM at the same price as in telecom office in Male.