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Best Time of Year to Visit the MaldivesExplore > Travel Planning Articles > Best Time of Year to Visit the MaldivesDate published: 2023-05-07
Photo courtesy Jon Haase.
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Where are the Maldives?The Maldives are a coveted vacation spot as the smallest country in Asia (regarding both size and population). This beautiful destination has historically been known under different names in the Sanskrit language, translated as "Necklace Islands," "Garland of Islands," and "Hundred Thousand Islands." JOALI Maldives 5 nights from 23,543 per person  Do you feel it? This awareness, a shimmering sense of awakening. Imagine the soft breeze making you feel more alive than you have ever felt. Here, seemingly ordinary moments transform you for good. Amid the abundant life between the palm trees, sand covered feet and sparkling water, all will make sense to you. The joy of this island comes from within, it is in its nature and spreads its wings each day. Here,your joy will take flight too.Where is Joali? Joali is located at Muravandhoo island in northern Maldives, in the Raa Atoll, one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world. The word atoll in dhivehi means ‘ring-shaped coral reef’ enclosing a lagoon. Our beautiful island resort lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean, fringed by pristine white-sand beaches and surrounded by brilliant blue waters that boast spectacular marine life. There are three ways you can join us on the island. You can be sure that spectacular views await you whichever way you decide to travel. Option I - Shared Seaplane A 40-minute seaplane flight takes you from Male directly to the Muravandhoo Island. You will be greeted by a private JOALI lounge at the Male Airport where you can relax before your flight – and even enjoy a special greeting, offered for pre-arranged transfers. Option II - Shared Domestic Flight A 35-minute flight takes you from Male to Ifuru Airport. Then, you hop on the speedboat for a 15-minute speedboat ride to Muravandhoo. Option III - Private Charter by Seaplane. Please contact our reservation team for more information. Please keep in mind that : - Seaplane transfers are available only during daylight hours. - Domestic flights are available for night arrivals, after 3pm local time. The Way to Joali: The Maldives is the collective name of 1190 tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Some are inhabited, while others are used largely for tourism and agriculture. Muravandhoo is home to white beaches, a lush land with plenty of tasty coconut palms and exquisite marine life that offer a whole new world to discover. The Nature: The Maldives is a unique place and as such has a very fragile ecosystem. From the tiniest creature to a single tree, each plays a role in the magical replenishing experience the islands create. The construction was designed to build around the trees to save as many as possible. 1000 trees were preserved, and they continue their lives with us. After the devastating coral bleaching event of 2016 that saw up to 85% of the corals in the Maldives die, we have a responsibility to help the coral reefs rehabilitate and recover. At JOALI we are doing this through the JOALI Reef Restoration Programme. By using the two-step gardening concept, we are growing corals of opportunity in a mid-water nursery for 9-12 months before out planting them back on the reef. We are focusing our efforts on corals that show some resilience to heat, the driver of coral bleaching, and ensuring that we maintain good genetic diversity. 
Wedding pavilion at Angsana Resort & Spa Ihuru. Photo courtesy the resort. As a cluster of small islands in the Indian ocean, the Maldives are made up mostly of the water in between its 1,190 islands, about 90 of which are developed as tourist resorts. Their unique layout into a double chain of 26 atolls spread out over roughly 35,000 square miles. Each atoll adds to a variety of vibrant coral reefs teeming with lush underwater life including fish, sea turtles, whales, and dolphins. Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives 5 nights from 1,475 per person  Dive into absolute serenity. Less than 20 minutes away from Velana International Airport by speedboat, set on a pristine island blessed with tropical beauty in North Malé Atoll, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives is an adults-only retreat that is ideal for couples and honeymooners. Light and airy villas with wooden flooring and natural fabrics provide sensational views of the Indian Ocean and offer the choice of beachside or overwater accommodation. Pure white sand and a sparkling blue lagoon make this a perfect playground for beach games, snorkeling and water sports, while the magical underwater world of some of the top dive sites in the Maldives are reached within less than half an hour by dhoni. Immerse yourself in absolute serenity and enjoy the stunning ocean vistas. Retreat in comfort, whether in a tastefully designed ocean-side villa, perfect for barefoot living with the beach at your doorstep, or in an overwater villa with steps down to the tranquil lagoon. Our 140 villas harmoniously blend in with the island’s green interior and the white powdery beach, using flowing and natural architectural forms and a minimalist décor, and are designed as adults-only accommodation. All our villas accommodate 2 adults only. Discover an enchanting and pristine island with endless opportunities to relax and enjoy the beautiful Maldives setting. Laze the day away beachside or by the ocean-side pool with its own pool bar, or indulge in absolute pampering at SPA Cenvaree. Sensational treatments inspired by Thailand’s well-being heritage and modern rejuvenation practices are performed in single and double treatment rooms, with romantic couple spa journeys and multi-day authentic Ayurvedic programs a speciality. You will love our beachside yoga sessions. For fun and active holidays, our PADI dive and water sports centre offers an abundance of exciting activities including night snorkeling and snorkel safari, sunset fishing and big game fishing, fun tubes and banana rides, excursions such as visit to a local island and a Malé sightseeing tour, and water sports with kite surfing, windsurfing, water skiing and catamaran sailing. Explore some of the Maldives’ most sought-after snorkeling and dive sites with our PADI dive centre offering programs for avid divers and beginners alike. The warm waters of the North Malé Atoll offer great visibility allowing you to immerse in a mesmerizing world. Exhilarating dive sites to be found between a five to 20 minutes’ dhoni ride from the resort include Giraavaru Cave, Kuda Haa, Shark Point, Lion’s Head, Kuda Faru and Kikki Reef. Farther out at sea, Black Coral Reef, Bandos Rock, Banana Reef, and Maldives Victory Wreck are less than one hour away. <ul><li>Free-form swimming pool complete with dedicated pool bar <li>A new lap pool at the Silent beach area which is located behind the Reception, Gym & Spa <li>Oceanfront SPA Cenvaree <li>Fitness centre <li>PADI dive centre <li>Motorized and non-motorized water sports <li>Half-day and full-day North Male' Atoll surfing. Available on request between May and November <li>Daily excursions <li>E-Zone entertainment area <li>Complimentary wireless internet access <li>Airport transfers operated by speedboat <li>Island boutique <li>Medical services and resident doctor <li>Laundry services <li>Foreign currency exchange As an adults-only resort, guests must be aged 12 years and above. </ul> Learn more about Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives Price includes hotel stay and all taxes and fees. 
Maldivian beach villas. Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Typical airfares from New York (JFK) to Male, Republic of the MaldivesConstance Halaveli 5 nights from 6,209 per person  Stroll down white sand beaches and swim in turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life. Children travelling can unleash their spirit of adventure at the Constance Kids' Club. Lie back and relax on your own private sun terrace, dip in your own plunge pool, or take time to nurture your body and soul with a treatment specially tailored for you at the Spa de Constance.Spa facilities Facilities include: Steam bath Sauna Bath Chill and Hot Plunge pool Relaxing area 7 single treatment rooms 3 double treatment rooms Yoga pavilion Ocean Salon – beauty salon including hairdresser, stylist, bridal consultation, manicure and pedicure Open daily from 9am to 9pm. Fitness Technogym kinesis wall Life fitness cardio equipment TV Screens & USB Port Tennis court See & compare all resorts in the Maldives atollsIf you're trying to decide where to stay on Ari Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll, Male, North Male Atoll, North Baa Atoll, or South Male Atolls, we can help! For the 28 resorts there, we've got nearly 500 high-resolution photos, 7 videos, and 13 virtual tours to help you find your Maldivian dream resort. Click here to use our Visual Explorer to check out all of them. 
Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa 5 nights from 1,679 per person  The Maldives welcomes you to a tropical paradise of palm trees, white sandy beaches, sparkling clear, warm water in turquoise lagoons and colourful coral reefs teeming with abundant marine life.Vilamendhoo Island Resort, surrounded by a beautiful lagoon, an excellent house reef and long stretches of white, sandy beach, is the only Resort of Vilamendhoo, South Ari Atoll. It is 900 meters long by 250 meters wide, about 55 acres. Your seaplane transfer from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport is a scenic, 25 minute flight. Best time of year to go to the MaldivesAs a tropical monsoon climate, the Maldives have two dominating seasons: a dry season (associated with dry northeast winter monsoons) and a wet season (associated with moist southwest monsoons and strong winds and storms). The dry season has little rain and lower humidity; it lasts from December-April. The wet season is (you guessed it) wetter, characterized by stronger winds and rain; it lasts from May-November. For divers, both the dry and wet seasons have their advantages: during the dry season, visibility is superb, due to currents beginning to flow in November from the northeast; the currents start to weaken in February. During the wet season, the water temperatures are a couple of degrees lower, and this seems to inspire larger numbers of hammerhead sharks and reef sharks to congregate, and to do so in shallower waters than in the dry season. Visibility isn't as good, however, as the currents are less. 
Aerial view of Sheraton Full Moon Maldives. Photo courtesy the resort. Average temperatures in the MaldivesThe temperature remains fairly consistent year-round, ranging only from the low- to mid-80's (Fahrenheit). September-January tend to hover around the 80 degree mark, and February-August tend to reach a little higher around the mid-80's. Chances are any time you decide to visit, the Maldives will be pleasantly warm. Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa Maldives 5 nights from 4,728 per person  Taj-Coral Reef Resort & Spa , Maldives has all the exotic ocean views and dramatic sunsets you need for the perfect tropical holiday. But we’ve added a twist! When you step into your villa, find a streamlined, sophisticated take on resort accommodations instead of the usual beach décor. As one of the best luxury resorts in the Maldives, we’ve revamped your resort experience completely. Divers, beach lovers and honeymooners – we welcome you all. After you arrive at Male airport, a luxury speedboat whisks you away to Hembadhu Island, to Taj – Coral Reef, Maldives. Our 5 star island resort in Maldives is a diver's dream, with diving sites and our own reef and shipwreck to explore. For those who prefer to stay on land, the view of the lagoon dotted with water villas is mesmerising. Engulf your world with white sand and coconut palms. Let Taj introduce you to bliss.Learn more about Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives Price includes hotel stay and all taxes and fees. Storms in the MaldivesDuring the winter rainy season, afternoon showers occur with frequency. In the case of a tropical storm or cyclone, residents and travelers are relocated to safe areas. Fortunately, the Maldives are not as prone to cyclones as other islands; only 11 cyclones have affected the Maldives in over 128 years. 
Overwater villas in the Maldives. Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Baglioni Resort Maldives 5 nights from 4,858 per person  Paradise with Italian grace.Lose yourself in the vastness of the Indian Ocean and find yourself again, luxuriating blissfully under a palm tree. This is just one of the unique experiences that await you at the Baglioni Resort Maldives. Dreamily resplendent on the island of Maagau in Dhaalu atoll, a 40-minute hop by seaplane from the capital, Malé, this remarkable resort is awash with tropical natural beauty. Come visit one of the Maldives’ top luxury resorts for a one-of-a-kind blend of easygoing beach vibes and Italian style. Our elegantly furnished villas are surrounded by stunningly beautiful beaches, coconut palm trees, crystal clear waters and breathtaking sunset views. The Baglioni Resort’s comprehensive comforts offer an unforgettable stay with a blend of sports, relaxation and prestigious gourmet dining to suit its exclusive international clientele. It is a piece of paradise in true Baglioni Hotels style. Luxury villas with suites surrounded by tropical nature,turquoise waters and velvet-smooth white sands: The Baglioni Resort Maldives welcomes you to paradise. This beautiful accommodation was created with the renowned Italian attention to detail – using materials and design techniques for optimum sustainability while making the most of the natural setting and its all-embracing beauty. Choosing a resort in the Maldives with a private pool for ultimate relaxation has never been easier. Our Maldives villas leave nothing to be desired. Take a dip in the private pool and enjoy unparalleled views of the white sand and the crystal clear ocean. The Presidential Water Villa is the Resort’s crowning glory, with 360 square meters of interior space + 310 square meters outdoor area. It can also vaunt a waterside veranda and terraces looking on to the ocean: for unforgettable private dinners serenaded by the sunset. But no matter which villa you choose, we promise you will not want to leave. What's special about the Maldives?Tourism is relatively recent here--really, it all started for the Maldives in 1972 with just 2 resorts. It's grown to over 80 resorts today. It's the lowest country in the world (yes, it's in the record books) with an average altitude of only about 5 feet above sea level. You're going to get fabulous lagoons protected by coral reefs and other atolls, and gorgeous beaches. But you won't get the knife-edge mountain backdrops you'd see somewhere like Bora Bora, or jungle hikes to waterfalls like you'd get in Hawaii, Fiji, or the Seychelles. 
Infinity pool at the Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa. Photo courtesy the resort. Certainly it's famous for fantastic snorkeling, scuba diving, and above-water sports too. Like the Seychelles, you're going to be a long ways from a major land mass, which means dense schools of fish, less pollution, and more privacy. The roughly 1200 islands are all quite small, with none of them larger than 5 miles across. Each atoll has on average about a half dozen inhabited islands, plus 20 to 60 that are uninhabited. JOALI Maldives 5 nights from 23,543 per person Do you feel it? This awareness, a shimmering sense of awakening. Imagine the soft breeze making you feel more alive than you have ever felt. Here, seemingly ordinary moments transform you for good. Amid the abundant life between the palm trees, sand covered feet and sparkling water, all will make sense to you. The joy of this island comes from within, it is in its nature and spreads its wings each day. Here,your joy will take flight too.Where is Joali? Joali is located at Muravandhoo island in northern Maldives, in the Raa Atoll, one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world. The word atoll in dhivehi means ‘ring-shaped coral reef’ enclosing a lagoon. Our beautiful island resort lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean, fringed by pristine white-sand beaches and surrounded by brilliant blue waters that boast spectacular marine life. There are three ways you can join us on the island. You can be sure that spectacular views await you whichever way you decide to travel. Option I - Shared Seaplane A 40-minute seaplane flight takes you from Male directly to the Muravandhoo Island. You will be greeted by a private JOALI lounge at the Male Airport where you can relax before your flight – and even enjoy a special greeting, offered for pre-arranged transfers. Option II - Shared Domestic Flight A 35-minute flight takes you from Male to Ifuru Airport. Then, you hop on the speedboat for a 15-minute speedboat ride to Muravandhoo. Option III - Private Charter by Seaplane. Please contact our reservation team for more information. Please keep in mind that : - Seaplane transfers are available only during daylight hours. - Domestic flights are available for night arrivals, after 3pm local time. The Way to Joali: The Maldives is the collective name of 1190 tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Some are inhabited, while others are used largely for tourism and agriculture. Muravandhoo is home to white beaches, a lush land with plenty of tasty coconut palms and exquisite marine life that offer a whole new world to discover. The Nature: The Maldives is a unique place and as such has a very fragile ecosystem. From the tiniest creature to a single tree, each plays a role in the magical replenishing experience the islands create. The construction was designed to build around the trees to save as many as possible. 1000 trees were preserved, and they continue their lives with us. After the devastating coral bleaching event of 2016 that saw up to 85% of the corals in the Maldives die, we have a responsibility to help the coral reefs rehabilitate and recover. At JOALI we are doing this through the JOALI Reef Restoration Programme. By using the two-step gardening concept, we are growing corals of opportunity in a mid-water nursery for 9-12 months before out planting them back on the reef. We are focusing our efforts on corals that show some resilience to heat, the driver of coral bleaching, and ensuring that we maintain good genetic diversity. 
Underground wine cellar and chocolate cave at Gili Lankanfushi, North Male Atoll, Maldives. Photo courtesy the resort. Traditional Maldivian cuisine is based on coconuts, fish, and starches. Skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, frigate tuna and wahoo are common in Maldivian cuisine. As well, a thick brown paste made from tuna, called Rihaakuru, is an essential part of many dishes. Maldivians don't eat raw fish, however (but that doesn't mean you won't ever find sushi in resort restaurants). Their starches are typically rice, taro (the root ingredient of Hawaii's poi), sweet potato, and cassava. You'll find a strong Indian influence--not surprising, given the proximity--and a plethora of different curries. As a tourist in the resorts, expect to find Indian and Maldivian options, but also food styles from around the world. The resorts are well aware that many guests will want to what what's familiar to them. Check this video overview of the Maldives, courtesy Maldives Tourist Promotion Board (MTPB): 
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