Surviving the Raining Season in Maldives: Tips and Best Times to Visit
The island country of Maldives is a beauty to behold. One of nature’s paintings on an aquamarine canvas. Many people tend to visit the archipelago when it’s cold for them, as Maldives is a generally sunny country that lies on the Equator.
While people love to visit Maldives during the sunny season, it should be noted that in the rainy season, Maldives isn’t that bad. In fact, it might even be better.
Understanding The Rainy Season In Maldives
Maldives has two seasons which are the Northeast Monsoon (the dry / sunny season) and the Southwest Monsoon (the wet / rainy season). The sunny season runs from January to March, while the rainy season runs from mid-May to November. April and December are transitional months for the monsoons.
During the rainy season, Maldives still has loads of sunny days. It’s not like the country experiences heavy rainfall during the whole season. Maldives experiences rain showers that come and go somewhat abruptly. It can be bright and sunny one minute, then cloudy and windy the next.
Let’s go over what the weather conditions would usually be like during the rainy season.
Maldives During The Monsoon: May
May is the beginning of the rainy season and tends to start strong with precipitation. Temperatures start to come down a tiny bit as it gets cloudier and windier.
Average Temperatures (High & Low): 30℃ / 86℉ & 26.1℃ / 79℉
Average Precipitation (Millimetres / Inches): 216mm / 8.50in
Maldives During The Monsoon: June
Temperatures go down a bit more compared to May and so does the rainfall.
Average Temperatures (High & Low): 28.9℃ / 84℉ & 26.1℃ / 79℉
Average Precipitation (Millimetres / Inches): 172mm / 6.77in
Maldives During The Monsoon: July
Temperatures stay pretty much the same as June but with the lowest precipitation during the rainy season.
Average Temperatures (High & Low): 28.9℃ / 84℉ & 26.1℃ / 79℉
Average Precipitation (Millimetres / Inches): 147mm / 5.79in
Maldives During The Monsoon: August
August sees the same temperature ranges as June and July. Rainfall picks back up from July, with more precipitation compared to June.
Average Temperatures (High & Low): 28.9℃ / 84℉ & 26.1℃ / 79℉
Average Precipitation (Millimetres / Inches): 188mm / 7.40in
Maldives During The Monsoon: September
September sees the low temperatures dropping by a degree, making it slightly colder than before. Precipitation increases to its highest during this month.
Average Temperatures (High & Low): 28.9℃ / 84℉ & 25℃ / 77℉
Average Precipitation (Millimetres / Inches): 243mm / 9.57in
Maldives During The Monsoon: October
For the weather in October, the temperature remains the same as September, with a slight decrease in rainfall.
Average Temperatures (High & Low): 28.9℃ / 84℉ & 25℃ / 77℉
Average Precipitation (Millimetres / Inches): 222mm / 8.74in
Maldives During The Monsoon: November
The final month of the rainy season sees the coldest time of year for Maldives, with another slight decrease in rainfall.
Average Temperatures (High & Low): 28.9℃ / 84℉ & 23.9℃ / 75℉
Average Precipitation (Millimetres / Inches): 201mm / 7.91in
Even though the rain might not last that long, it still has a few drawbacks. Depending on the intensity of rainfall, the strength of the wind and the ocean currents, certain activities can be rescheduled or cancelled.
Activities such as diving, snorkelling, fishing and catamaran sailing, to name a few, would have to be put on hold until the rain and wind stops. Sometimes it just isn’t safe to go out to sea when it’s raining.
Pros & Cons Of Visiting During The Rainy Season In Maldives
People come to Maldives to experience the ocean & beach life and that experience is somewhat dulled due to the rain. But this doesn’t mean your time spent has to be gloomy.
Advantages Of Visiting Maldives During The Rainy Season
Anyone who loves the rain can only see the upside in visiting a rainy season in Maldives. One of those upsides are the cheaper accommodation options and travel costs.
This period is the off-season for Maldives due to the rain. The hotels and resorts try to attract tourists with lower prices during this time. Those who have no issue with the rain see this as an absolute win. They get to fly to and vacation in Maldives for a lower price while the resort experience pretty much stays the same.
Another upside is the lack of large tourist crowds. Fewer people tend to come to Maldives during the rainy season. This means that wherever you go to the resort, you will have a much easier time planning activities around your own schedule.
Even when you go to other islands such as the capital Male’, you will see much fewer tourists than usual. Tour guides will happily take the time to slowly show you everything the capital has to offer as there wouldn’t be as many people around.
While the sun brings out the natural beauty of Maldives, the rain shows an unexpected beauty to the landscape as well. The weather cools off just enough for there to be a comfortable mix of heat and cold. The horizon beyond the island showcases rain showers that look like a curtain over the ocean. The jungles on certain islands become easier to explore with less heat so you can go on an adventure into the woods without being too uncomfortable.
Disadvantages Of Visiting Maldives During The Rainy Season
Let’s talk about some of the cons of the rainy season in Maldives.
The most prevalent disadvantage would be the potential disruptions the weather would cause. Any sort of activity you have planned, whether it be on land or on water has a chance to get cancelled, due to strong winds and ocean currents. The increase in rainfall can also dampen spirits but this tends to differ from person to person.
The option of activities you’d get to enjoy are also fewer during rainfall. For safety concerns, activities such as tennis, excursions, surfing, etc would suffer.
With rain comes the possibility of mosquitos coming out of nowhere. No one likes to get bitten by these insects, especially since there’s a chance you might fall ill with the common cold. A vacation spent sick isn’t a vacation at all so make sure to bring some sort of mosquito repellant.
Tips For Enjoying Your Trip During The Rainy Season In Maldives
It’s always good to be properly prepared for your trip so that you can have the best time possible. Here are some things you can do to maximise enjoyment during your rainy vacation.
Pack Appropriate Clothing & Gear
No one likes getting their nice holiday clothes wet in the rain, especially when they’re about to go for an activity. If you don’t feel like carrying a big umbrella around, pack yourself a raincoat to protect yourself from the weather. There are plenty of decent ones for purchase in Maldives as well if you forgot to bring your own.
Wear pants that aren’t super long. Walking around in the rain will surely get the bottom of your pants soaked which can be inconvenient. Something shorter is more than enough to do the trick.
Wearing boots and socks might not be the best when visiting the rainy season in Maldives. Get yourself some open slippers for breathability. A wet foot is better than a soggy & cold foot.
Plan Indoor Activities & Excursions
While the highlight of visiting Maldives would be the ocean and beach activities, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t other activities for you to enjoy.
A lot of resorts have indoor activities that will take care of your boredom in no time. Many resorts have an arts & crafts program, where you get to create a piece of art using traditional Maldivian methods. Lacquer work is one of them and while it may seem complex, that doesn’t mean you can’t try.
Another thing you can do is sign up for a cooking class. In-house chefs will take you through the methods and ingredients used to make Maldivian food the way the locals do. Take this newfound knowledge back home and cook some Maldivian treats for your family and friends.
Indulging in a spa day is another great idea. Maldives is all about relaxation and every resort comes with a spa built into it. Relax and recuperate in peace as the raindrops lull you into a state of tranquillity.
Stay Updated On Weather Forecasts & Plan Accordingly
Weather changes can be unpredictable so it’s best to keep yourself informed about the weather. This will help you plan out your trip as best as possible so that you don’t miss out on opportunities.
We recommend checking out the Maldives Meteorological Service website for the latest and most accurate weather developments.
Take Advantage Of Indoor Facilities & Amenities At The Resorts
A lot of resorts come with a variety of amenities that can keep boredom away such as satellite television, in-house movies, consoles & videogames and more. Some resorts even have in-villa massage options for you to relax in the comfort of your own villa.
Indoor facilities are also available at a lot of resorts for you to use. Some places have indoor tennis, football or basketball courts for those who are more on the active side. For those looking for a more laid-back experience, there are entertainment hubs filled with pool tables, foosball tables and more for use.
What Are The Best Times To Visit During The Raining Season In Maldives?
If you’re someone who doesn’t like rain but still wants to go to Maldives for cheap, your best choices would be to go during June or July.
June may be at the beginning of the rainy season but it’s the month with the second lowest precipitation levels out of the season. Temperatures are also slightly lower so that it’s not a sweltering heat, making it more enjoyable.
There is also a high volume of plankton in the sea at this time. While it may reduce visibility in the ocean due to this, this is the perfect time for you to jump in and swim with some whale sharks and manta rays. These sea creatures feed on plankton and with the increase in plankton in the water, your chances of meeting these sea beasts are that much higher.
July might be the better month out of the two to visit Maldives. It has the lowest precipitation during the rainy season, with the temperature staying the same as June. There is still a lot of plankton in the water so manta rays and whale sharks would be easy to find.
This is also the best time for surfers in Maldives as this month brings about some of the largest waves at certain beaches. Large swells in this beautiful backdrop make for a fun time surfing and aesthetically pleasing pictures for memories.
Safety Precautions & Travel Insurance When Visiting A Rainy Season Maldives
While it may not be mandatory to get travel insurance to visit during the rainy season, Maldives recommends getting one just for safety’s sake. It is better to come prepared to an unknown land so that you wouldn’t have to worry as much.
While the crime rate in Maldives is somewhat low, petty theft does occur. Make sure you don’t leave any valuables lying around in your hotel room and lock it in the safety deposit box / safe in your room. When you go to the beach, keep an eye on your things and don’t leave them unattended.
While this blog may have ended on a bit of a heavy note, we are glad that you made it to the end! Make sure you choose the right month to travel that fits your plans and budget so that you have a great time.
