Maldives weather, month by month
Hot and humid all year — air 29–31°C, sea 27–30°C— with no cold season. Two monsoons drive the only real difference: a drier one (Dec–Apr) and a wetter one (May–Nov). Here's the climate in numbers.
Temperature, sea & rainfall
Indicative monthly norms averaged across the central atolls; the far south is marginally wetter and less seasonal. Rain falls mostly as short, heavy showers.
Frequently asked
Maldives weather — your questions.
What is the weather like in the Maldives?
The Maldives has a hot, humid tropical climate that barely changes through the year. Daytime highs sit around 29–31°C, nights rarely fall below 25°C, and the sea stays a warm 27–30°C. There is no cold season — instead, two monsoons set the rhythm: a drier, calmer one from December to April and a wetter, breezier one from May to November. Even in the wet season the country averages 7–9 hours of sunshine a day, because rain tends to fall as short, heavy showers rather than all-day cloud.
What are the two monsoon seasons?
The dry season, locally called Iruvai (the northeast monsoon), runs roughly December to April: less rain, calm seas, low humidity and the best underwater visibility. The wet season, Hulhangu (the southwest monsoon), runs about May to November: more rain and wind, livelier seas, and the manta and surf seasons. The transitions in April and November can go either way. Temperatures stay almost identical across both.
Which month has the most and least rain?
February and March are the driest months, often under 70 mm of rain. The wettest stretch is the southwest monsoon, peaking around May and again in September–October at roughly 200–215 mm a month. Annual rainfall is about 2,000 mm. Crucially, this falls as brief tropical downpours, so a "rainy" Maldives day still typically delivers plenty of sunshine.
How warm is the sea in the Maldives?
Very warm and remarkably stable — sea-surface temperatures range from about 27°C to 30°C all year, warmest around April. That means comfortable swimming, snorkelling and diving in every month, with no wetsuit needed for most people. Water visibility is best in the dry season (December–April), when the sea is calmest.
Does the weather decide when I should go?
It is the biggest factor, but not the only one — prices and crowds matter too. The dry season offers the most reliable sun at the highest prices; the wet season trades short showers for much better value, surf and mantas. Our best-time-to-visit guide weighs weather against price and activities month by month to help you choose.