When is the best time to visit the Maldives?

The Maldives lie somewhat near the equator, making it part of the tropics and giving it a warm, monsoon climate. Year-round, the temperatures don’t vary too much but there are two main seasons: the wet and the dry. The wet season tends to last from May to November and the dry from December to April, which is the high season for tourists looking to get some winter sun and escape the cold. 

Whilst prices can be much lower during the monsoon season, you’ll most likely be met with a lot of rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, especially when the season peaks around the wettest month of September. If you’re looking for lower hotel and flight prices and better chances of good weather, it may be a good idea to choose a transitional month such as April or May. This is also a great time for surfers to visit and take advantage of the waves before it gets too stormy.

During the high season, prices tend to be much higher but this period does give you beautiful weather and plenty of sunshine. Any showers that do happen generally pass quite quickly making it a brilliant time for beach-goers and sunbathers.

The water visibility is much better during the dry season, allowing any divers or snorkelers to enjoy the underwater views and come face-to-face with some incredible sea creatures.

What is there to do in the Maldives?

The Maldives are completely surrounded by the magnificent Indian Ocean, so a lot of the fun activities you can do revolve around the sea and the beach. During the dry season, snorkelling is absolutely mind-blowing and fun for all the family.

Avid sea explorers can head to islands around the North Malé Atoll and choose from a variety of different reefs full of colourful corals and incredible marine life. Or you could go to Lankanfinolhu Island and snorkel at Manta Point, where you can meet some giant manta rays. On top of this, surfers can enjoy some of the best waves in the world during Spring.

If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of opportunities to try paddleboarding on the more still parts of the water, where you can relax into the activity and enjoy seeing coral and lots of fish below.  

There are also some incredible sights to take in. One bucket list activity has to be seeing the Sea of Stars on Vaadhoo Island in Raa Atoll. This is a magical display of bioluminescence from the phytoplankton along the shore that begin to glow, making the coastline shimmer like the stars in the night sky. Although it can often be seen during the day, the night is almost always the best time to see the vivid colours.

If you’ve decided to go for your honeymoon or as a couple, there is nothing more romantic than walking along the beach and watching the waves sparkle with your loved one. It’s also great for those who have booked outside the high season as it’s most commonly seen between June and October.

Another essential part of visiting the Maldives is trying the regional cuisine. Most visitors come for the beaches and weather but the food is a delicious fusion of its neighbouring countries mixed with tropical flavours. Lots of dishes contain coconut, seafood and spices. It’s simply too tasty to pass up.

For example, you could try Garudhiya which is a fish soup with a comforting broth, often cooked with fresh produce. It can be served with chillis and lime. For snacks, fried yams are a crunchy, moreish dish that can easily be found on the islands or you could try the dish of Masroshi, which are chapatis stuffed with tuna, spices and coconut. If you’ve got a sweet tooth Saagu Bondibai is a must-try. It’s a flavoursome pudding made from sago, coconut milk, condensed milk and rosewater.

Things to know before going to the Maldives

The official religion is Islam

Alcohol and pork are banned on the local islands and alcohol is only served on resort islands. Try to dress conservatively while visiting local areas to show respect for the culture and religion of the residents. You might find that revealing swimwear like bikinis are banned on many local beaches. Depending on the time of year, a lot of people will be fasting during Ramadan so some shops and restaurants will likely be closed during that time.  

You can use the Rufiyaa currency or US Dollars

The main currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa (MVR) but the US dollar is also accepted. If you’re going to be going to shops and buying services locally, then it’s best to have Maldivian rufiyaa with you.

It's best to get your souvenirs from shops

It's actually illegal to take shells, sand and coral from the beaches, so to help preserve the ecosystem of the islands it’s best to buy any souvenirs or memory makers from the approved shop(s) on your island.