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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." Rangali Island 5 nights from 22,383 per person  The 5-star Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a combination of three distinct resort experiences on two islands surrounded by a coral reef and lagoon. It's also home to two spas, seven restaurants - including the world's only all-glass undersea restaurant - and three bars, as well as kilometers of white sand beaches, outstanding diving and snorkeling, and a wealth of other sports. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island combines exceptional services and amenities with world-class hospitality in one of the world's most beautiful locations. Food lovers and wine connoisseurs will love the seven outstanding restaurants and four bars set in spectacular Maldivian beach settings and the unique dining experience of the world's first all-glass undersea restaurant, the Ithaa, 16 feet below sea level. The Atoll Market restaurant serves world cuisine from eight international kitchens. Choose the Koko Grill Restaurant for a nine-course Japanese feast. Fine wines await discovery six feet underwater in The Wine Cellar serving degustation wine dinners. Book a private beach dinner with your own chef and waiter or a sensational beachside feast with fresh lobsters and champagne. Indulge in spa therapies at the two stunning spas on stilts over the Indian Ocean offering luxury treatments in glass-floored treatment rooms. Exercise in the fully equipped fitness center. Swim in the two infinite view swimming pools and play tennis by the ocean. Do business in the 24-hour business center. Spectacular scenery makes this resort the perfect location for weddings and honeymoons. Buy something special in the resort's three boutiques offering Italian designer wear, jewellery and gift items. This amazing resort has a Dive Center and Watersports Center and a "Nemo" style mini submarine to take two passengers on a 30-minute ride of a lifetime to see the resort's coral reef. 
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. One and Only Reethi Rah Maldives 5 nights from 14,687 per person  Surrounded by the crystal blue wonders of the Indian Ocean, this superb all-villa resort offers an unrivalled level of style, choice and personalised exploration. Sleek and spectacular, with unprecedented privacy, One&Only Reethi Rah inspires extraordinary journeys for the soul.Set on one of the largest islands in North Male' Atoll, adorned with endless white sand coves and turquoise bays, all villas enjoy beautiful ocean views and direct access to the lagoon. One&Only Reethi Rah offers the ultimate holiday experience to those seeking the pinnacle of tropical luxury. Nowhere else in the Maldives is there a resort with this much space and exclusivity. With an eye towards perfection, the resort features its own organic Chef's Garden, and speciality items such as Kobe beef and toro from Japan are shipped on a regular basis. At One&Only Reethi Rah, island chic is the keynote for evenings, and the innovative and fresh cuisine is prepared with passion and flair. One&Only, together with ESPA, has created a luxurious island spa retreat...a tranquil place where tension dissolves with the gentle ebb and flow of the ocean as the cares of the world outside quietly drift away. Here on idyllic sandy shores, succumb to the expert care of therapists trained in ancient healing philosophies and modern-day sciences. Luxurious treatment villas, nestled beneath thatched roofs each with spectacular ocean views, provide the perfect tranquil space for your individualised, holistic wellness journey. 
Maldivian beach villas. Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Typical airfares from New York (JFK) to Male, Republic of the MaldivesJOALI 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. 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. W Maldives 5 nights from 5,382 per person  Escape to W Maldives, a luxury 5-star private island resort setting the stage to fuel guests’ lust for life. Imagine waking up to the sound of the waves drumming against the infinity pool, a wonderland of white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and breathtaking reefs. From the moment you step onto this heart shaped island playground, welcoming infinite days amplified by the only music curator in the Maldives, playful guestrooms and innovative cocktails and cuisine creating a cutting edge lifestyle experience. Cast away yet connected. Natural yet designed. Secluded yet welcoming.Unwind at the pampering AWAY® Spa. Explore the world beneath the waves at DOWN UNDER and glide with reef sharks in the best house reef of the Maldives.W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. Whatever/Whenever ®.Seventy eight individual Retreats are available. 28 land based, Beach Oasis including three twin Beach Oasis; 25 spacious, overwater Ocean Oasis and 21 Ocean Oasis Lagoon View retreats; 3 Seascape Escapes, our junior suites and one ExtremeWOW villa, the 2-bedroom Ocean Haven. The Retreats are a perfect blend of W's innovative architectural design and contemporary living aesthetics with the island village simplicity. Each features an extensive state of the art BOSE sound system, 42" plasma screen TV, CD/DVD, spacious indoor and outdoor living areas, plunge pools, barbecues for private dining, outdoor tropical showers and day beds for lolling in the lap of luxury. Smooth, stylish interior design and all the modern gadgetry one could possibly need are an integral part of the appeal. There is an electric mix of 6 bars and restaurants at W Maldives. Kitchen, the all day dining bistro, and Fire, where you have a choice of 4 different barbeques, provide menus for everyone's palate. Swim up to the pool bar Wet and order a light lunch. For a chilled sunset, enjoy a cocktail and nibbles at Sip. Next door is Fish - the signature seafood restaurant set over the water and under the star; a beautiful great way to soak in the atmosphere and perhaps see a shooting star. There is even a dining option on your own secluded island, Gaathafushi. 15Below, the place to see and be seen, is the only true nightclub in the Maldives, with its own resident DJ and set underground. Flirt with the adventure over the water with our adrenaline filled water sports or go underneath with Down Under, our PADI certified team of dive masters, and discover some of the best dive spots in the Maldives all within close proximity. Alternatively, decelerate. Research escapism and discover true pampering at the AWAY® Spa.Reminiscent of a dhow, a traditional Maldivian boat sporting elegant forms and vibrant sails, the spa embarks you on a journey of transformation. A massage, body wrap, sunburn soother, perhaps immersions in tropical therapies or individual cleansing steam baths, the world is your oyster as you indulge. 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 Exotica Resort and Spa 5 nights from 6,898 per person  Part of the renowned Taj Hotels brand, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives is an exclusive, private and romantic island resort. Incredible rooms and a choice of gourmet cuisine, water sports, and recreation make for a complete and exclusive destination. The resort is a Member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa spreads idyllically along a pristine beach and serene lagoon. The award-winning resort seamlessly extends the magic of the island's blessed natural beauty in its design even as it offers the finest in contemporary luxuries and services. Jiva Grande Spa, an authentic Indian spa, offers a range of signature wellness experiences. A choice of gourmet cuisine, water sports, and recreation make for a complete and exclusive destination. The resort is only 15 minutes by a private luxury speedboat, available 24 hours, from Malé International Airport. Most of the resort's luxuriously designed villas are perched over the lagoon with nothing but blue ocean waters and glorious sunsets to block the view. Only a wooden ladder separates you from a refreshing dip in the lagoon. Then you can climb back up and begin a tropical makeover as the sun warms your skin. All the villas are palm-thatched, built of finest natural wood finishes on the exteriors and the interiors are delightfully appointed in classic Maldivian style. The villas offer sundecks, and some offer private plunge pools, outdoor showers, verandahs with day beds and private spa rooms. Dark woods, rich textures and vibrant accessories make the time you spend indoors just as beautiful as the time you spend swimming with dolphins or gazing into the infinite horizon. Our spa experiences are offered by trained experts using exclusive natural products in a fresh and harmonious setting. Signature Jiva Grande Spa experiences bring guests the essence of traditional royal wellness and therapeutic experiences. Jiva Grande Spa also offers Alepa, a signature treatment that evokes the aura of the fabled and privileged lifestyle of Indian royalty. Alepa - literally the act of anointing the body - is a wellness experience drawn from sacred and ceremonial time-honoured Indian bathing rituals. Savour this exquisite experience in a stylish and contemporary spa suite. 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. Ayada Maldives 5 nights from 3,174 per person  Located on a beautiful private island with pristine beaches and lush tropical greenery, Ayada Maldives offers a truly luxurious retreat with a genuine Maldivian style. A wide range of restaurants, large villas with private infinity pools and our multiple award winning AySpa make Ayada Maldives an excellent choice. A large variety of water-sports, excursions and further activities are available for our guests.Ayada Maldives is #1 on TripAdvisor, listed among the top 25 resorts worldwide on TripAdvisor & winner of Traveler's Choice 2020. We have 8 outlets at Ayada Maldives, each offering a different cuisine and unique dining experiences, including Teppanyaki, Mediterranean fine dining and Asian flavors. In each restaurant, we use fresh organic ingredients from our garden and local farms, that makes our food authentic and luxuriously delicious. Ile de Joie, our over-water wine cellar offers a unique wine & cheese experience. Our chefs are ready to cater for all dietary requirements. Make memories that last for a lifetime. Ayada Maldives offers an extensive list of excursions that will showcase the finest and authentic Maldivian experiences. Ranging from sunset cruises, fishing trips and excursions to inhabited islands, all excursions are undertaken under the care of experienced and personable team members. 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. Rangali Island 5 nights from 22,383 per person The 5-star Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a combination of three distinct resort experiences on two islands surrounded by a coral reef and lagoon. It's also home to two spas, seven restaurants - including the world's only all-glass undersea restaurant - and three bars, as well as kilometers of white sand beaches, outstanding diving and snorkeling, and a wealth of other sports. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island combines exceptional services and amenities with world-class hospitality in one of the world's most beautiful locations. Food lovers and wine connoisseurs will love the seven outstanding restaurants and four bars set in spectacular Maldivian beach settings and the unique dining experience of the world's first all-glass undersea restaurant, the Ithaa, 16 feet below sea level. The Atoll Market restaurant serves world cuisine from eight international kitchens. Choose the Koko Grill Restaurant for a nine-course Japanese feast. Fine wines await discovery six feet underwater in The Wine Cellar serving degustation wine dinners. Book a private beach dinner with your own chef and waiter or a sensational beachside feast with fresh lobsters and champagne. Indulge in spa therapies at the two stunning spas on stilts over the Indian Ocean offering luxury treatments in glass-floored treatment rooms. Exercise in the fully equipped fitness center. Swim in the two infinite view swimming pools and play tennis by the ocean. Do business in the 24-hour business center. Spectacular scenery makes this resort the perfect location for weddings and honeymoons. Buy something special in the resort's three boutiques offering Italian designer wear, jewellery and gift items. This amazing resort has a Dive Center and Watersports Center and a "Nemo" style mini submarine to take two passengers on a 30-minute ride of a lifetime to see the resort's coral reef. 
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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