The Maldives is one of the hottest holiday destinations – figuratively and literally! Its idyllic islands are uncontested winners in the world’s most beautiful places category, and the tropical, equatorial climate spoils visitors throughout the year with rather constant air and water temperatures (30°C/86°F; 28°C/ 82.5°F respectively).

Weather patterns in the Maldives can generally be split into two seasons as outlined below; the locals sometime go even further and refer to the old Maldivian Nakaiy calendar that divides a year into 27 monsoons of 13 to 14 days periods.

There is plenty of variations within the country, even within the same atoll, so don’t worry too much if the forecast for your forthcoming holiday is not too favourable. It’s always a good time to visit the Maldives and come rain or shine, there are many memorable adventures to choose from at Hurawalhi.

Northeast monsoon (Iruvai)

The best time to visit is between November and April, when the weather is the most stable, with blue skies, plenty of sunshine and the ocean as flat as a pancake. These are the months when the islands receive the most visitors, but rest assured: even during high season, Hurawalhi doesn’t feel crowded – you will easily find a secluded spot on the beach, get a table at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant or hop on a jet ski to try your luck at finding a few dozen dolphins! While there are no guarantees in nature (plus we’re in the middle of the Indian Ocean, largely influenced by the happening elsewhere in Asia), your best bets for a truly roasting hot paradise island experience are the months February, March, April and May. This is when you want to be at the resort to snorkel and dive in excellent visibility, and for the calmest, most picturesque excursions. During these months the reefs explode with life as many species of fish lay eggs and juvenile fish (big and small) can be found schooling along the reefs and in the channels near Hurawalhi.

Southwest monsoon (Hulhangu)
The somewhat less settled weather can be expected between May and October. The temperature is still hot and there is plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed, but rainfall does occur. This time of the year is not a wet season entirely and cannot be compared to rainfall-heavy typhoons, it is however more unstable, slightly cooler and windier than the high season. Still worth going though – manta rays seem to start returning in greater numbers to our atoll in September or early October, larger shark species are more frequently seen on our dive trips, the sheltered reefs inside the atoll thrive in the cooler waters providing fantastic snorkelling opportunities and wind sports make a comeback too with sailors and kitesurfers taking advantage of the warm tropical waters.