Maldives Weather Guide
Seasons & Climate
The Maldives has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons — the dry northeast monsoon (November to April) and the wet southwest monsoon (May to October). Understanding the seasons helps you choose the right time to visit for your priorities — whether that is perfect weather, manta rays, or the best value.
The Maldives has warm tropical weather year-round at 26-31°C. The dry season runs November to April with calm seas and clear skies — the best time for most visitors. The wet season runs May to October with more rainfall and lower prices — still excellent for diving, and the best time for manta ray season at Hanifaru Bay. The Maldives never experiences cold weather.
The two Maldives seasons
Frequently asked questions
The Maldives has a tropical climate with two monsoon seasons. The dry northeast monsoon runs from November to April, bringing calm seas, clear skies, and temperatures of 28-30°C. The wet southwest monsoon runs from May to October, bringing more rainfall and stronger winds, though temperatures remain similar at 27-29°C. The Maldives never experiences cold weather — the temperature varies very little year-round.
The Maldives has a wet season from May to October during the southwest monsoon, but rainfall typically comes in short, heavy bursts rather than sustained grey days. Even during the wet season, most days have several hours of sunshine. The dry season from November to April has minimal rainfall. The annual rainfall is approximately 1,800mm, most of which falls during the southwest monsoon months.
The Maldives has a consistent tropical temperature year-round. Air temperature ranges from 26-31°C. Water temperature ranges from 27-30°C — warm enough for comfortable swimming without a wetsuit year-round. The equatorial location means very little seasonal temperature variation — the Maldives never experiences cold weather at any time of year.
December is one of the finest months to visit the Maldives. The dry northeast monsoon brings calm seas, clear blue skies, and minimal rainfall. Temperatures are around 28-29°C with excellent diving visibility. December is peak season and the most expensive time to visit — book resorts early as the best properties sell out months in advance for Christmas and New Year.
Yes — the Maldives wet season from May to October is worth visiting for several reasons. Prices are significantly lower, resorts are less crowded, manta ray season peaks at Hanifaru Bay from June to November, and even during the wet season most days have good weather. The rain typically comes in short bursts and does not prevent swimming, snorkelling, or resort activities. Many travellers consider the shoulder months of May and October to offer the best combination of good weather and value.
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