Spring
March and April are hot, sunny and calm, with excellent visibility for diving. Easter weeks are busy.
The Maldives
Overwater villas, water so clear you can watch fish from your deck, and a kind of quiet that’s hard to find anywhere else.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
- Best time to go
- December to April, the dry season
- Trip length
- 7 to 10 nights, often with a stopover
- From Atlanta
- About 22 to 26 hours, with one connection
- Time difference
- 9 hours ahead of Atlanta (10 in winter)
- Entry
- Free 30-day visa on arrival with a U.S. passport
- Currency
- U.S. dollars accepted at resorts. UK-style plugs
Why the Maldives feels like a dream
The Maldives is 26 coral atolls and more than a thousand islands, and most resorts have an island all to themselves.
That makes choosing the right resort everything: how you’ll get there, the house reef, the dining and the overall feel. It’s where we spend the most time with our travelers, and where it matters most.
Resorts near Malé are a quick speedboat ride from the airport. Farther atolls like Baa and Ari mean a scenic seaplane flight, with some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world as the reward.
Getting to your resort
- Malé to North or South Malé Atoll15 to 60 minutes by speedboat
- Malé to Baa AtollAbout 35 to 45 minutes by seaplane
- Malé to Ari AtollAbout 25 to 40 minutes by seaplane
- Malé to Addu AtollAbout 1 hour 15 minutes by domestic flight
- Seaplane hoursDaylight only, so late arrivals stay near Malé
When to go
The best months, the busy weeks and the quieter windows, so you can choose the trip that fits.
- JanDry, calm and sunny
- FebDriest month
- MarClear water, great diving
- AprHot, calm, last dry weeks
- MayMonsoon arrives
- JunShowers, manta season
- JulMantas in Baa Atoll
- AugBest value
- SepSurf season, quiet
- OctCalmer, still showery
- NovDry season returns
- DecHoliday peak
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall in Malé
Jan4.5″
Feb1.5″
Mar2.9″
Apr4.9″
May8.6″
Jun6.8″
Jul5.9″
Aug7.0″
Sep8.2″
Oct9.5″
Nov8.5″
Dec8.6″
Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Summer
The southwest monsoon brings showers and stronger winds from May to October, usually in short bursts. It’s also manta season in Baa Atoll, and rates are at their lowest.
Fall
October and November are a transition, with more sunshine each week and great value before the holidays.
Winter
December through April is the dry season, with calm seas and blue skies. Christmas and New Year’s are the busiest, priciest weeks of the year.
Where to go
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
North Malé Atoll
Close to the airport by speedboat, with many of the Maldives’ best-known luxury resorts.
Best for Short trips, easy arrivals
South Malé Atoll
Also a quick boat ride away, with lively reefs and good surf breaks.
Best for Families, surfers
Baa Atoll
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays gather in huge numbers in the wet season.
Best for Snorkeling, mantas
Ari Atoll
Known for year-round whale shark sightings in the south and beautiful house reefs.
Best for Divers, wildlife lovers
Raa & Lhaviyani
Newer resorts and quieter waters farther north, reached by seaplane.
Best for Privacy, honeymoons
Addu Atoll
The southernmost atoll, just below the equator, with mangroves, history and a more local feel.
Best for Divers, something different
Overwater or beach villa
Overwater villas for stepping straight into the lagoon, beach villas for more space and shade. Many couples split their stay.
Best for Choosing your room
Local islands
Guesthouse islands offer a glimpse of everyday Maldivian life. They’re dry islands, so alcohol isn’t served.
Best for Culture, day trips
From the travel blog
The Maldives
Overwater villas, calm lagoons and reefs right off the deck, plus how to pick the right atoll.
Read the guideGood to know
The small things that make a big difference once you arrive.
Mind the seaplane schedule
Seaplanes only fly in daylight, so we time international flights around them or plan a night near Malé.
Choose the house reef
A great house reef means world-class snorkeling from your villa. We match resorts to how much time you want in the water.
Meal plans matter
Every meal is at your resort. Half board, full board or all-inclusive can save a lot over ordering à la carte.
Add a stopover
Break up the long flights with a few nights in Dubai, Doha or Sri Lanka.
Pack light
Resort casual all week, reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard for long snorkels. That’s most of it.
Respect local custom
The Maldives is a Muslim country. Resorts are relaxed, but on local islands cover shoulders and knees.
Questions we hear a lot
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
December through April is the dry season, with calm seas and the most sunshine. May through November brings more showers but lower rates and manta season in Baa Atoll.
How do we get to our resort?
By speedboat if you’re near Malé, by seaplane to farther atolls, or by domestic flight and boat to the far north and south. Your resort meets you at the airport.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa?
No advance visa. You’ll receive a free 30-day visa on arrival with a passport valid for six months, a confirmed resort booking and a return ticket. There’s also a short online traveler declaration to complete before you fly.
Is the Maldives good for families?
Yes. Many resorts have kids’ clubs, family villas and shallow lagoons, and children love the snorkeling.
How long should we stay?
At least seven nights, given the travel time. Ten nights with a stopover on the way is even better.
Let’s plan your Maldives escape
Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.