Knowing when to go to the Maldives is a must for anyone who wants to find the paradisiacal setting worthy of the photos posted on the internet.
Its tropical climate with warm, crystalline waters puts the Maldives at the top of beach lovers' wish lists. The important thing is to keep in mind that heat is guaranteed regardless of the season you choose.
The proximity of the equator makes the Maldives a sunny place all year round, with stable temperatures ranging from an average of 26°C to 31°C.
Therefore, even if you travel in high or low season, you will find a very warm climate. What changes from one period to the next is the probability of rain and how much you will spend to discover this paradise.
Check out in this article everything you need to know to decide when to visit the Maldives, especially regarding the weather and package prices.
In this article you will see:
- Best time to go to Maldives
- What is the climate of the Maldives?
- Surfing and diving in the Maldives
- Festivities and holidays in the Maldives
- What is the time zone of Maldives?
- Choose wisely when going to the Maldives
Best time to go to Maldives
When to go to the Maldives is an important question, after all, who doesn't want to see up close the most classic image of the Maldives which is a beach with a blue sea under the sun?
To ensure this scenario the best time to travel is from november to april, when the weather is dry and the probability of rain is very low.
Being even more precise, the perfect period is to travel in mid-April, when the transition from high to low season occurs, making it possible to take advantage of the good weather before the onset of rains and still get discounts on Maldives packages.
I traveled there in the second half of March this year and the weather was just wonderful! It only rained for 15 minutes on the first day, but after the passing rain the sun appeared and did not hide anymore.
The days were of a beautiful blue sky, almost without clouds, with a very nice breeze that refreshed a little from the heat. I was able to secure my tan and admire the various shades of turquoise in the water. Therefore, it is quite easy to understand why the tourism in maldives attracts the attention of travelers from all over the world.
However, this is also the high season period, when airfare prices and daily rates at resorts are more expensive.
Therefore, if the question when to go to the Maldives includes prices, know that The cheapest time to go to the Maldives is naturally the low season, which runs from May to October..
During this period, the flow of tourists on the islands is calmer and prices are more attractive, which is why many travelers prefer to visit the Maldives at this time and end up getting a lot of advantage when it comes to getting discounts at the resorts, which can reach up to 50% of the price. value of packages in high season.
The downside of going to the Maldives in the low season is that it is also the time when it rains more frequently and the chance of cloudy days is greater. It's a real pity that without the sun the sea doesn't reflect the potential of its beauty.
However, most travelers' reports say that the rains are fleeting and do not reach the point of spoiling the vacation.
What is the climate of the Maldives?
The climate of the Maldives is tropical monsoon, with two well-defined seasons: the dry season (associated with northwest monsoon winds) and the rainy season (associated with southwest monsoon winds).
The dry period with very low humidity begins in November and lasts until the end of April, while the rainy period occurs from May to October, and carries with it winds, heavy rains and cloudier days.
In order to understand the climate of the Maldives, it is also important to know its geography, a set of natural atolls, oceanic islands of coral reefs spread from north to south across the Indian Ocean, close to India and Sri Lanka.
The ideal when to go to the Maldives is to go to the capital Malé and the northern atolls from November to April, outside the rainy monsoon period.
Is important not be located maldives islands map to decide when to go, because if you choose the low season, the rainy season, and your resort is located in the southern atolls, you will get more rain than if you had chosen to stay in the northern part of the archipelago.
O Climate Data signals that the months with the lowest volume of precipitation are (in this sequence): February, March, January and April. The months with the highest rainfall are November, December and May.
When I talk about climate, everything is really a probability and it doesn't mean that you won't get rain in the dry season or very sunny days in the wet season.
Climate Data also points out that April is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 29,4°C. Regarding humidity, February is the driest month (38 mm of precipitation).
The sea temperature varies from 27°C to 29°C, very warm and pleasant.
A relief for travelers is that luckily the Maldives is outside the tsunami zone, and cyclones are very rare, only 11 have happened in 128 years!
Surfing and diving in the Maldives
Water sports are one of the main attractions of the Maldives. The northern atolls have the best spots for surfing.
Those who love this sport will catch bigger waves in the wettest season, especially in the period of peak rainfall. For them, the answer to when to go to the Maldives is: May and June.
Diving is also a very popular activity, as the marine biodiversity is one of the most beautiful in the world, being more varied from November to April. Visibility is very good during this period as it is a drier season.
When it rains, the temperature is milder and the region becomes a festival of marine icons, the darlings of divers: the hammerhead shark, whale shark and manta rays. From August to November the visibility is not so good because of the plankton.
Festivities and holidays in the Maldives
If you plan to go to the Maldives in June, you will witness at least three traditional festivals:
- Maldives National Day: between the 4th and 5th of June, the local population celebrates the expulsion of the Portuguese from the island conquered by the hero Mahomet Takurufaanu.
- Shark Festival: Celebrated on June 8 as a tribute to the ocean, natives adorn the coast and host various exhibits around the islands.
- Birth of the prophet: religious event commemorating the birth of the prophet on June 12.
There are also two important events in the Maldives in November:
- Republic Day: The monarchy was abolished on November 11, 1968 and the republic was established. A public holiday, the date is celebrated with a very colorful and lively party, with presentations by bands, parades and lots of typical food. If you're there in season, try a bodibaiy (sweet rice pudding).
- Victory Day: This day commemorates the failed attempt by a Sri Lankan terrorist group to overthrow the government on November 3, 1988. India played an important role in helping the islands quickly quell the coup.
Ramadan
The population of Maldives is 100% Muslim and in the holy month of Ramadan the natives have some customs, such as fasting from sunrise to sunset and avoiding some foods and drinks.
And those who do not respect traditions can be punished by law, even if they are not Muslims. In addition to fasting, during this period some services at resorts and airports may not take place during the times reserved for prayers.
Ramadan dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year. In 2019 it was between May 5th and June 4th, in 2020 it will be from April 23rd to May 23rd.
To avoid frustrations It is important to check what date Ramadan will take place when planning your trip. And when reflecting on when to go to the Maldives, analyze whether this is the ideal period for you.
What is the time zone of Maldives?
The Maldives time zone is GMT+5, which means that the capital Male is 8 hours ahead of Brasilia time. While in Brazil it is 0h, in the Maldives it will be 8h.
The sun rises around six in the morning and sets at approximately 18 pm. Some resorts on more isolated islands may be two hours more or less from the capital for strategic reasons.
In some seasons of the year they turn back the clock so that tourists can enjoy the days more, very smart ones.
Choose wisely when going to the Maldives
Knowing the climate will definitely help you choose when to go to the Maldives to have the perfect vacation in paradise. The year-round high temperatures are a true oasis for beach lovers.
It is also important to keep in mind that the differential of a place like the Maldives is that, as each island has only one resort, people do not form an agglomeration as in classic tourist cities.
I stayed at a luxury resort called Anantara Veli and believe me, it was pretty empty. There were times when my husband and I found ourselves alone on that paradisiacal beach, very exclusive.
If you don't have a chance and your vacation is scheduled for the low season, it's worth taking a risk. There are many reports of people who went at that time and got very hot even with quick rain showers.
Another unique benefit is finding fairer prices, imagine taking advantage of 50% off an all-inclusive package at your dream resort? It is very attractive to be able to make a cheapest trip to maldives.
