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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." The Nautilus Maldives 5 nights from 10,248 per person  A tantalising slice of freedom in the Maldives’ stunning Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Nautilus Maldives 5 star resort offers life unbound. Every visitor to our shores discovers life’s rarest treasures. Gifts that money cannot buy – time, freedom, refuge.This collection of 26 immensely private beach and ocean houses exists beyond the bounds of time. Our private Villas in the Maldives is a place where nothing is fixed, and anything is possible. Where you are free to set your own beat. Free to do – and to be – as you please. A celebration of the individual spirit, The Nautilus offers liberation. Freedom unconditional. Space to share, to meet, to be yourself and shape your own personal journey. And, most of all, to celebrate the people you’re with, in any way you choose. Because in the end, it’s these simple, elemental pleasures – that ability to simply be – that form the greatest luxury of all. 
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. 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. 
Maldivian beach villas. Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Typical airfares from New York (JFK) to Male, Republic of the MaldivesPark Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa 5 nights from 6,964 per person  Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is a barefoot luxury resort, evoking a remote, untouched paradise. Its unique location, away from the teeming atolls of the north, blesses its guests with a pure Maldivian experience. The careful and seamless integration of environment, culture and modern design provides the perfect place to rest, relax, and recharge. Our resort is located on a private island tucked away within North Huvadhoo, the deepest atoll in the Maldives, and just 55km north of the equator.The conscious approach to the environment at our Maldives resort allows guests to enjoy a pristinely perfect beach, blanketed by the softest powdery shoreline. The white sandy beach encircling Hadahaa and the crystal azure waters enchants guests to spend the day soaking up the glorious Maldivian sun. Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is framed by one of the most unspoilt house reefs in the archipelago, providing easy access for exploration of the underwater marvels of the Indian Ocean. Featuring only 50 villas, the contemporary interiors of our guests accommodations are designed with the utmost comfort and privacy in mind, reflecting the Hadahaa landscape. Whether nestled within the island’s lush tropical greenery or elevated above the water, guests are only steps away from the clear ocean waters and idyllic beach. All villas feature floor-to-ceiling windows and door that lead out to a private deck, some fitted with a personal plunge pool, and direct access to the beach. As one of the top hotels in Maldives, we invite guests to delight in a variety of dining experiences available at the resort's two restaurants – The Dining Room and The Island Grill. Both restaurants present guests with international and regionally inspired dishes in well-designed yet casual settings. The contemporary poolside bar and the unique Dhoni are great places to sit back and unwind while enjoying refreshing drinks. Discover personalized private dining experiences that include Sunset, Starlight, Shoreline and Maldivian, each showcasing a unique aspect of the island. In-villa dining is available for guests at any time. Our luxury beach resort provides a range of aqua-centric activities allowing guests to make the most of the natural surroundings. Blue Journeys, our 5 star PADI Dive and Activity Centre, creates tailor-made journeys for guests. Diving and snorkeling around the island’s magnificent private reef is a must while local island visits, dolphin spotting, sunset cruises and the one of a kind Cross the Equator excursion will offer ever lasting memories. Retreat into the serenity of one of The Vidhun Spa’s five private villas for a rejuvenating treatment or opt to relax in the spa’s 80-foot tranquility pool. The Vidhun Spa provides inspiring treatments that heat, cool or hydrate the body reflecting Maldivian healing philosophies and traditions. Completing the wellness concept of The Vidhun Spa, private or shared yoga sessions are available with the resort instructor. Recent accolades include: 2016 Gold EarthCheck Certification 2016, 2015, 2014 World Travel Awards: Maldives' Leading Green Resort 2016 Blue Journeys PADI Green Star Award 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 Silver EarthCheck Certification 2015 World Travel Awards: Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort 2015 TripAdvisor Hall of Fame Award 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award 2014 International Considerate Hotel of the Year 2013 MATATO: Leading Dive Resort in the Maldives 2013 International Hotel Award: Best Sustainable Hotel in Asia Pacific 2012 Green Good Design Award 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. JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa 5 nights from 5,088 per person  Discover the warm and inviting hospitality that awaits you at the luxury JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, situated on a private island in Shaviyani Atoll. Stylish overwater villas and beach villas offer guests their own private pools and decks with stunning views across the Indian Ocean, plush bedding and free Wi-Fi. Guests wishing to leave their own private haven will discover a wide variety of activities available including snorkeling, scuba diving, jet-skiing and sailing, while children can enjoy their own adventures in the Maldives at our Little Griffins kid's club. Further relaxation can be found at our resort's rejuvenating spa where a variety of treatments are on offer, while those wishing to stay fit on vacation can take advantage of our state-of-the-art gym and fitness classes. Sample the flavors of the world at our international restaurants, including treetop dining, buffet breakfasts and authentic Italian and Japanese restaurants. Enrich your Maldives experience with a stay at our luxury resort.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. 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. 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. Velaa Private Island 5 nights from 14,849 per person  Velaa Private Island is the realisation of a dream to create a ‘beyond luxury’ exclusive boutique hideaway. This unique destination was developed to embody the very best of this unique archipelago, bathed by azure skies in the aquamarinewaters of the Indian Ocean. Located in the gorgeous Noonu Atoll, 187 kilometres north of Male, Velaa. Private Island is an exceptional luxury retreat where our guests are treated like royalty. Velaa Private Island has been designed and curated with privacy and comfort as the guiding principles while allowing the Indian Ocean to take centre stage. At one with nature, each of the private retreats is built using local materials, combining contemporary flourishes with interiors designed for sensory exploration. 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. Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort 5 nights from 6,355 per person  Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is a rare haven. In its remote location on the southern tip of the Maldives archipelago, it is as far away from the rhythm of everyday life as can be. Here, guests find their own rhythm. In harmony with nature, they relax, reconnect and realign. Surrounded by crystalline Indian Ocean waters home to unspoiled house reefs and their incredible inhabitants, it is easy to forget the world outside.Set on 2 private islands in the Indian Ocean, this high-end resort is accessible by seaplane from Male. Thinadhoo is the nearest island. On the beach or over water, the luxurious villas feature private pools, terraces, living areas, marble bathrooms and 4-poster beds. All provide free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars and Nespresso machines. Upgraded villas add gardens; some sleep up to 8 guests. Butler service is offered 24/7. Amenities include 3 upscale restaurants with terraces, and 2 chic bars, as well as a premium spa and a gym. Water sports facilities are available. The place is tranquil, beautiful and pure. The service is discreet, intuitive and gracious. The life is true Raffles luxury. This is elegance at its most natural. 
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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