The best time to travel to Maldives

The Republic of Maldives is an archipelagic state in the Indian subcontinent of Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres (470 miles; 400 nautical miles) from the Asian continent's mainland. It is a chain of 26 atolls spread from the Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south (across the Equator). This allows the island nation to have a varied climatic zone. It also makes it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. However, before we embark on an epic journey, a quick reminder to get your visa and passport in order since those are the most important travel documents you would require for entering the country. What could be better than getting all your information about the same thing on the "Services" section of the website? A one-stop shop for all travel-related information regarding whichever part of the planet you wish to travel.  The first question that tourists generally ask is what is the best month to go to Maldives. 

Best month to travel to Maldives

December is the best month to travel to Maldives. In Fact, December to March is the ideal period for tourists to make a beeline for the acclaimed group of islands. That is also the reason why this period is always the peak tourist season. It is also the best Time to Maldives for a honeymoon. A large number of newlyweds travel to the island nation during this period. However, for a working visit, one needs to begin planning from much ahead. There will be loads of tourists vying for accommodations and facilities, and last-minute rush may end up in heartache. Now that we have an answer to what is the best month to go to Maldives, let's move ahead.

Best time to visit Maldives for Honeymoon

As mentioned in the previous section, December to April is the best time to visit Maldives for honeymoon. It is dry with little or no rain. There will be plenty of sunbathers dipping into the warm waters surrounding the island nation. The Christmas and New Year's holidays are peak seasons for revellers, and plenty of offers are provided to tourists. However, to make the honeymoon even more memorable, it is advised to plan ahead of the visit so that accommodation can be availed. Towards the end of summer, the island hardly experiences any rainfall making it an ideal place for water sports enthusiasts. 

Travel to Maldives Advice

The Maldives has been taking all precautions to contain the rapid spread of the raging virus. There are a few protocols that have been out in place and can be regarded as travel to Maldives advice. One of the foremost documents that need to be carried in the RT-PCR test is done not more than 96 hours prior to the departure of the traveller. The negative report has to be attached to the Traveler Health Declaration Form, which has to be submitted within 24 hours prior to arrival. All visitors have to download and log into the tracking app, TraceEkee, and use it throughout the stay. All these rules were dropped for fully vaccinated visitors but have been since reintroduced. All non-tourist arrivals from the UK have to be quarantined for seven days if the individual is vaccinated and 14 days if the individual is unvaccinated. While these do not apply to tourists, international flights from the UK have been banned temporarily. The number of active cases has been kept under a tight leash though there have been spurts of active cases. Other than the COVID related documents, a visitor needs to have a passport that is valid for the next 6 months at least.  In addition to this, proof for sufficient funds needs to be provided too, along with an onward travel plan. A 30-day visa will be granted, which then can be extended to 90 days.  Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are advised prior to arrival.          

Maldives weather by month

A quick look at Maldives weather by month will tell you that this is a hot tropical country, much influenced by the monsoon. The south-west monsoon from late April to September is stronger on the Northern islands and arrives with the raging wind. This turns the sea around rough making it dangerous for any water sports. The northeast monsoon during the period October to December is quiet and is responsible for the showers and thunderstorms during the afternoons and evenings, especially in the Southern atolls. The temperatures remain stable more or less around the year, reaching a high of 30 degrees Celsius and a low of 25 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity also hovers around 80% around the year. The rainfalls come in short bursts and are accompanied by thunderstorms. Between February and May, there is a slight increase in the average temperature, which causes sultriness. As it is a tropical country, it is advisable for tourists to always be prepared for rainfall any time of the year. The rainy season in Maldives is generally intense in the periods April to September and October to December. However, the other months also have short bouts of rainfall too. The rainy season in Maldives is an on and off affair, reflecting the usual characteristics of a tropical country.

Cheapest time to go to Maldives

The wet seasons is the cheapest time to go to Maldives. This is the time when the crowd will be at the lowest level, and therefore the tariffs will be the same. However, the wettest months also bring in rough seas, and as a result, most of the outdoor activities would be restricted. However, there is also some good news. The rainy seasons also have consequent sunny days, and those are the ones that have to be taken advantage of. These days become common towards the end of the seasons, that's in May, November and December. Hence, if you wish to avoid the crowd and make the most of the island nation, then do not let the climate deter you. Simply do not forget to carry your umbrellas and raincoats and the trip will be just fine. 

Best time of year to travel to Maldives

As have been mentioned previously, the answer to when is the best time to travel to Maldives is between November and April. The climate is warm and sunny, and there are plenty of activities going around to participate in. January to April are the driest period with scant rainfall and low humidity. This is the season where tourism peaks, and finding accommodation, if not already booked, will become a challenge. There are discounts and attractive prices that are offered during this period making it the best time to visit. Even during the wet periods, there are offers available, and it may not be too bad a time to visit if avoiding crowds is a reason.  Now that we have answered when is the best time to travel to Maldives, let us delve a bit further. Maldives is an archipelago with numerous atolls and almost 600 islands to boast of. Not all the islands may have tourist facilities or even inhabitants, so a bit of research is required before travelling. The pandemic has also ensured that strict regulations and protocols are in place, and failing to observe them may lead to legal and financial complications, on top of health and medical ones, in a worst-case scenario. The island had lifted restrictions for those fully vaccinated but later re-implemented them when a number of infected began to rise. The country has been able to control the spread to a great extent and has gradually opened itself up to international tourists. Some of the areas may still be off-limits, and the information for that has to be acquired prior to the arrival. Another vital thing to remember whilst on a visit to the Maldives is that if a traveller stays at any place for more than 48 hours, then an RT-PCR test becomes mandatory before moving to the next destination within the island group. This has been done to prevent any further outbreak of new cases of Coronavirus.

What to do while in Maldives?

The island is a beehive of activities, and tourists are up for a large variety of things to do once they step foot on the island. Scuba Diving Maya Thila is the place where visitors go for the best scuba diving experience in the world. The stunning oceanic beauty is a lifetime opportunity to savor. Sunset Cruise The sunset cruise is one of the sought after activities for visitors when in Maldives. Island hopping The island group consists of around 1000 islands, and travelling from one to another is a fun activity. There are pristine beaches, exotic coral reefs, and many other places that the island boasts of. The island hopping can be done by boat, which elevates the entire experience. Glowing beach at Vaadhoo Island The seawater here glows under the stars and is rightly called the Sea of Stars. Surfing If you haven't surfed in Maldives, then what have you. The giant waves and the turquoise water are tailors made for adventurous surfers. Make the best of the sunny weather and the soft wind.