The Maldives is a tropical archipelago, and therefore experiences a hot and humid climate pretty much all year round. However, the Indian Ocean does soften the high temperatures at times. The country generally has two distinct seasons, although there is still a slight variation between the northern and southern atolls. Both seasons are largely influenced by the monsoon patterns of the South Asia mainland.
Between the months of April and October, the Maldives is hit with the southwestern monsoon, which brings heavy rain and rough seas. May and October see the highest rainfall, averaging around 10 inches a month. The daily temperature rarely drops below 80°F, regardless of the time of year.
The second season is the shorter dry season, which lasts from January through March. Rainfall drops significantly, and an average of two hours of sunshine per day can be expected. This weather is larger influenced by the drier northeastern monsoon. High temperatures throughout the year generally do not exceed 91°F.
Cyclones are rarely an issue in the Maldives. However, the country does feel the edge of those formed over the Bay of Bengal. This tends to occur during or after August, and brings heavy rains to the island country.
Best Time to Visit Maldives
If tourists are looking for total sunshine, then the best time to visit the Maldives is during the months of January, February and March. This period is certainly the sunniest time of the year and has the best weather, but also is the most in demand and resorts jack up their prices. The Maldives is not cheap at any time, but especially during the high season, the budget will certainly be stretched.
The cost of rooms, food, and transportation tend to drop following the dry season, especially in May and October. Many tourists opt not to travel to the Maldives during the rainy season. However, rainfall doesn’t occur every day, and is certainly not a lengthy downpour when it hits. This makes it possible for visitors to still enjoy the beautiful beaches amidst the bouts of tropical storms.