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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." COMO Cocoa Island 5 nights from 5,721 per person  Cocoa Island is the Indian Ocean outpost from COMO Hotels and Resorts. With bristling reef life and long stretches of white sand beach, Cocoa Island is an indulgence not to be missed.Kick back and relax on your sundeck, toes dipped into the island's peaceful lagoon. For those who want to do more, Cocoa Island offers an active island life. From first-time divers to Yoga devotees, from keen sailors to idle snorkellers – we've got the equipment, knowledge and expertise for a memorable stay. The diving is exceptional, with our own team ready to instruct and guide. Explore our online Travel Planner to discover the full range of activities we have on offer, including deep-sea fishing, watersports, beach drop-offs and private full-day fishing charters. The Maldives are made up of tiny dots strung out like turquoise ink spots. Many summits sit just below the surface of the water. The coral reefs are exceptional, creating a world-class diving destination. Like Cocoa Island, most resorts occupy their own private island. The government has sensibly controlled tourism development. Outside the capital, Malé, where the international airport is located, there's no traffic. The only thing you might hear is the sound of fishermen calling to each other on the sea. Cocoa Island, known locally as Makunufushi, is located among South Malé's coral atolls. Our island is long and thin with sand snaking out into a perfect spit that disappears with the evening tide. The first thing to strike you on arrival is the welcome of palms, hibiscus and Kadjan/Coconut Thatching while the house reef, which encircles Cocoa, delineates a gin-clear lagoon. 
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. 
Maldivian beach villas. Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Typical airfares from New York (JFK) to Male, Republic of the MaldivesCentara 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. 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. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa 5 nights from 6,895 per person  Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa where an unforgettable Maldives adventure on a private coral island, fringed with white sand and crystal water awaits. Palm-thatched bungalows dip their feet into a turquoise sea. An island spa offers soothing Asian secrets. Sunrise, sunshine and sunset paint the endless sky. Sail, dive, surf, or just take in views of the endless sky and sea from your traditional beachfront bungalow. On this lush garden island, everything you need is close at hand. Choose from a wide variety of short, half-day and full-day guided activities, from island-hopping by seaplane to a traditional Baraabaru cooking class. Our infinity-edge freshwater swimming pool and half-metre children's pool ensure that the whole family can easily cool off. Learn to appreciate to majesty of the coral reefs and, if you like, participate in some of the Resort's many conservation projects. Choose from a wide variety of short, half-day and full-day guided activities, from island-hopping by seaplane to a traditional Baraabaru cooking class. Take advantage of our natural surroundings on parasail, jet ski and underwater scooter, or try one of our many snorkeling and fishing options. Malé is the capital of the Republic of Maldives, an island 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) long and 1 kilometre (0.6 mile) wide. Though built to the edge, Malé is clean and quaint, with markets, mosques and a maze of small streets that approximately 103,000 people call home. A pleasant 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, visitors are welcomed to the enchanting island of Kuda Huraa, where Four Seasons awaits. Learn more about Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa Price includes hotel stay and all taxes and fees. 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. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas 5 nights from 7,893 per person  Surrounded by nothing but turquoise lagoon which melts into sapphire blue, the Maldives luxury resort island of Anantara Kihavah and its pure white sands rise up out of the ocean like a mirage. For centuries, this was where Arab traders sailing to the Far East took shelter; a lush paradise blessed by coconut, papaya and mango trees. Navigating archipelago to archipelago by the stars, the seafarers were also drawn by the riches of the ocean surrounding the island – where a prehistoric volcano sank back into the depths, leaving blooming corals within a house reef and a wealth of lagoon fish. Wishing to keep the pristine nature of the island intact, not one tree has been moved – as evidenced by the villas growing up around them. The design pays homage to the seafarers of old, fusing Indian Ocean, Arab and Portuguese motifs with indigenous materials. Located on the Baa Atoll in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas invites you to imagine your own barefoot luxury paradise. Savour the luxury of space in your private pool beach villa or over water villa. Snorkel with mantas and Hawksbill sea turtles. Stargaze into the night. Dine on a deserted sandbank or beneath the ocean’s surface at this enchanting sanctuary. 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. 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.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. COMO Cocoa Island 5 nights from 5,721 per person Cocoa Island is the Indian Ocean outpost from COMO Hotels and Resorts. With bristling reef life and long stretches of white sand beach, Cocoa Island is an indulgence not to be missed.Kick back and relax on your sundeck, toes dipped into the island's peaceful lagoon. For those who want to do more, Cocoa Island offers an active island life. From first-time divers to Yoga devotees, from keen sailors to idle snorkellers – we've got the equipment, knowledge and expertise for a memorable stay. The diving is exceptional, with our own team ready to instruct and guide. Explore our online Travel Planner to discover the full range of activities we have on offer, including deep-sea fishing, watersports, beach drop-offs and private full-day fishing charters. The Maldives are made up of tiny dots strung out like turquoise ink spots. Many summits sit just below the surface of the water. The coral reefs are exceptional, creating a world-class diving destination. Like Cocoa Island, most resorts occupy their own private island. The government has sensibly controlled tourism development. Outside the capital, Malé, where the international airport is located, there's no traffic. The only thing you might hear is the sound of fishermen calling to each other on the sea. Cocoa Island, known locally as Makunufushi, is located among South Malé's coral atolls. Our island is long and thin with sand snaking out into a perfect spit that disappears with the evening tide. The first thing to strike you on arrival is the welcome of palms, hibiscus and Kadjan/Coconut Thatching while the house reef, which encircles Cocoa, delineates a gin-clear lagoon. 
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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