Time your visit with The Maldives' seasons
While the Maldives are hot and sunny all year round, the best time to visit is between November and April, outside of the annual southwest monsoon wet season (hulghangu). The drier northeast monsoon (iruvai) which is most prevalent in the northern atolls runs from December to April, making this the official 'high season', however, as it occurs during the dry season it rarely amounts to anything more than a quick downpour a couple of times a week
Typically for a tropical climate, rain showers are short and heavy. Even during dry season it's not uncommon to have a brief downpour before the skies clear again just as quickly.
The water temperature remains beautifully warm throughout the year, and ranges between 25°C and 29°C - perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving and water sports.
The best time to travel for crystal clear waters is between January and April each year. Visibility is slightly reduced between April and November due to an increase of plankton in the water. This same period coincides with the best time to dive with manta rays and whale sharks that come to feed in the lagoons.
The peak surfing season is between March and August, with best waves around July/August - caused by storms in the Roaring Forties bringing big swells to the archipelago.
Lodges typically have higher rates between November and April, and over festive holidays.
