The Maldives sits almost on the equator, so it is warm all year: around 30°C by day, with sea temperatures in the high twenties. What changes is the monsoon, and with it the sunshine, the sea and the price of your villa.
December to April: the dry season
The northeast monsoon brings the most reliable sunshine, calm seas and clear water. This is high season, and Christmas, New Year and Easter are the most expensive weeks of the year. Book early if you want a particular villa.
May to November: the wet season
The southwest monsoon brings more wind, more cloud and short, heavy showers, often followed by sunshine. It is far from a washout, and resorts cost noticeably less. It is also the season for manta rays in Baa Atoll and the best months for surfing.
Month by month
| Months | Weather | Good for | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec – Apr | Dry, sunny, calm | Beach, snorkelling, honeymoons | Highest; peaks at festive weeks |
| May – Jun | Changeable, first rains | Value, surf starts | Lower |
| Jul – Oct | Wetter and windier | Mantas in Baa, surf, value | Lowest |
| Nov | Drying out | Good shoulder month | Rising |
Our estimated prices are low-season "from" rates. For December to April, expect the same villa to cost noticeably more; when we quote, we use your real dates.
Our advice
- For the surest sunshine, go between January and March, avoiding the festive weeks.
- For value, go in May, June or September to November; you will usually still get plenty of sun.
- For mantas, go between roughly May and November and stay in or near Baa Atoll.
- For surfing, go between roughly March and October.
