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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." Constance 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 
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. Park 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 
Maldivian beach villas. Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Typical airfares from New York (JFK) to Male, Republic of the MaldivesBaros Maldives 5 nights from 3,651 per person  At Baros you will find service dedicated to the desires of each guest, architecture that celebrates and preserves the beauty of nature, and luxurious, intimate villas created with natural materials such as wood, stone and coconut thatch. Baros was chosen to be a special resort because it was small, unspoilt and idyllically located in the centre of the atoll, with its own reef encircling a pristine lagoon and untouched sandy shores. To conserve the island's intrinsic beauty, the Maldivian family who leased it from the government and still operate it today, resolved to keep Baros pure. Accommodation at first consisted of 56 beds in round cabanas with conical-shaped palm thatched roofs and rough coral walls. There was no air-conditioning. By 1983 the resort had expanded to 100 beds but even then only some of the rooms were air-conditioned. Ten years later 12 wooden, thatched octagonal cottages built on columns over the lagoon were added. Because of the inherent hospitality of Maldivians, from its opening the resort gained a reputation for its friendly informality and caring, personalised service. Over four decades this has been enhanced with attention to detail, leading to Baros Maldives becoming the hallmark of top quality Maldivian holiday hospitality. 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. Hideaway Beach Resort and Spa 5 nights from 3,670 per person  LocationThis Papagayo resort is on the beach, 0.6 mi (1 km) from Reserva Biologica Lomas Barbudal, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Hermosa Bay Beach and Coco Beach. Haras del Mar Equestrian Center and Hidden Garden Art Gallery are also within 9 mi (15 km). Resort Features Catch some rays at the beach or spend the day relaxing at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica - Adults only - All Inclusive's full-service spa. Then enjoy a meal at one of the resort's 4 restaurants. Room Amenities All 202 rooms offer WiFi, furnished balconies or patios, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Other amenities available to guests include 24-hour room service, minibars, and premium bedding. 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. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru 5 nights from 12,646 per person  Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Landaa Giraavaru is a 44 acre, 103 villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – a 30-minute seaplane flight from Malé. Its sister property, Kuda Huraa, lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. The luxury catamaran, Four Seasons Explorer, connects the two via 3, 4 and 7-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters. The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll, opens late 2016 as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to you.Learn more about Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru 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. 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. 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. Adaaran Prestige Vadoo 5 nights from 5,273 per person  Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Welcome to Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, the prestigious Maldives Luxury Resorts, where time ceases to exist and the voice of the Indian Ocean beckons you to her shores. As the gateway to the South Atolls, Vadoo possesses its own exotic reef teeming with vibrant aquatic flora and fauna. Awarded as the World’s Leading Water Villa retreat at the World Travel Awards in 2010, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo is a luxurious Maldives Island resort that stands out amongst the best. The list of indulgences that awaits you at our Maldives Island resort can only be matched by the captivating lushness of the surroundings.
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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