The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. It ranks first in the list of the most luxurious tropical resorts in the world. There are 1,190 islands that form the archipelago of the Maldives. There are 3 main categories of islands: residential, uninhabited and resort. There is a fourth, less well-known category of islands called the “disappeared islands”.
Many people, even those who have never been here, know where this is and which country. The Maldives, or the Republic of Maldives , is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, and as soon as a tourist sets foot on an island, he will immediately understand why. It is a calm country with stunning views, excellent food and all the opportunities for relaxation.
Currently, about 200 islands are inhabited by local Maldivians, and another 105 islands are covered by beaches with turquoise clear water. It’s easy to understand why so many people choose to spend their holidays, honeymoons or vacations in one of these idyllic Maldives.
More than 900 uninhabited islands are used by locals in agriculture or for day trips and picnics for tourists.
When to visit?
The decision about when to visit and where it is better to relax in the Maldives depends on the budget, free time and weather preferences. Some people believe that if you are going on a long trip where you don’t travel too often, it’s best to choose a time to visit when the weather is most favorable. Others rejoice that they have found a profitable offer and turn a blind eye to possible rains at this time. It is necessary to take into account all the factors and make the right choice.
So when to go: in low season or high? No matter what time the tourists choose, they will still be greeted by emerald green palm trees and white sand. In all weather conditions, you can enjoy the beach, try incredible dishes and dine under the starry sky.
Planning a vacation in the Maldives requires a little study, as you need not only to choose a convenient flight and find the most amazing resort, but you should also plan a vacation at the right time of the year. For example, dreaming of celebrating New Year here, you should find out where it is better to relax in the Maldives in January. The Maldives has high and low seasons. Each of them has its own advantages. In this article, you can find tips and tricks to help you choose the best season to visit the Maldives for a monthly vacation.
Climate
The islands have warm weather all year round, and temperatures rarely drop below +26 degrees. Humidity reaches 80%, but a light ocean breeze helps maintain a comfortable cool night. Here you never have to worry about cold waters, as the sea temperature fluctuates between 26 and 29 ° C all year round.
You need to understand when planning to visit the Maldives, which country you are going to. It is a tropical country with an equatorial climate, mostly humid and warm, having 2 seasons called monsoons.
At a distance of 800 km from north to south from the equator crossing the country, weather conditions will vary depending on the location on the archipelago.
As a result, the standard weather forecast for the city of Male (the capital of the Maldives, located in the north) will not be valid for the entire archipelago, and for the southernmost part located under the equator, weather forecasts for the island of Gan will be required.
Holidays in the Maldives can be divided into two seasons - peak (high) and off-season (low). Each season has its pros and cons, and it is best to choose one of them depending on the purpose of the trip. Therefore, regardless of whether the tourist is looking for a place for a honeymoon or for scuba diving, the Maldives can satisfy both options.
High season in the Maldives: December to April
The peak or high season in the Maldives is a time when there is no rain or very little rainfall, making it the best time to visit the Maldives. This dry season is known for its lower humidity and lasts from December to April. Maldives offers the best weather for tourists during this period, since it is at this time that it is best to enjoy beach activities. The average temperature in high season is within 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 25 degrees at night. This is the best time for tourists to visit the Maldives to enjoy the beach, bars and spas.
Since this period is a popular time to visit the Maldives, the influx of tourists will be appropriate and you can expect to see a lot of people from all over the world.
If you want to go diving or take scuba diving lessons, this is the best season to visit the Maldives, as it provides incredible visibility and optimal water temperature. In the streams flowing from the north-east direction, you can see the majestic underwater world in all its glory.
These months are especially suitable for sun lovers to visit when the air temperature is high and the number of rainy days is negligible. The graphs show that in February and March the daylight hours are the longest. Rainfall is limited, but afternoon rains and thunderstorms are not ruled out, especially on the southern atolls. Fortunately, they pass just as fast as they begin, so very soon you can return to the beach again.
The high season in the Maldives will allow you to spend the New Year splendidly and avoid Christmas cold weather, having fun on the beach under palm trees. Resorts will include major holidays in their offerings. Many arrange a special festive New Year's buffet or dinner, serving European and Maldivian dishes. On New Year's Eve, the resorts host gala dinners, acrobatic shows, and even famous performers perform at some major resorts, such as The One and Only Reethi Rah.
Low season in the Maldives: May to November
Another season is low, which is also an off-season in the Maldives. May brings with it the start of the rainy season, when it rains for about 15 days a month. The air temperature remains warm during May, as does the sea temperature - an average of 30 ° C. In July and August you can expect a cooler climate, more rain and cloudy days. November marks the end of the off-season, and it is in this month that you can expect an average temperature of 27 ° C and about 6 hours of sunshine per day.
However, if there is a desire to retire on the islands, this season may offer a favorable atmosphere for this. This is the perfect time to read a book while enjoying Pina Colada and views of the Indian Ocean at sunset without leaving your hotel room balcony.
Where to stay in the Maldives
When staying on an inhabited island, it is not necessary to choose a vacation at the hotel. A trip to the Maldives for two may not be affordable for every tourist. In this case, you can rent a room in the guest house or rent the whole house. But there is one warning for tourists: you should first familiarize yourself with the reviews where it is better for independent tourists to relax in the Maldives.
Guest houses are designed for independent and budget travelers.
What makes a guest house special? They provide an opportunity to live within the Maldivian island communities, interact with local people and study their culture. Engaged in everything from local crafts and music to everyday life on the islands, such as fishing and boat building, you can feel that you are in some special place, and not in yet another ordinary resort place. Instead of being isolated on private resort islands with an artificial environment and limited contact with people in authentic situations, you can stay in a real local guest house on the island.
It will be a slightly different vacation away from ordinary tourist places, while not missing the extraordinary tropical features and magical beauties of the island - lagoons, palm beaches, diverse marine life and coral reefs.
Thinking about where to relax in the Maldives, you can make a choice in favor of guest houses and see the distinctive and charming features of the real Maldives.
If there is no time and desire for an independent search for housing and booking flights, then you can take advantage of the offers of travel companies offering tours in this direction. The cost of a trip to the Maldives for two starts from 100 thousand rubles for a 3 * BB hotel.
Not all resorts are the same. You need to consider all the details and compare several offers in order to find the right one for a particular family.
Budget Holidays in the Maldives
The price of a tour to the Maldives is far from affordable for every tourist. And for many travelers, these wonderful islands remain an unrealizable and unattainable dream. But there are budget vacation options for those wishing to visit this place. In order to find out where it is better to relax in the Maldives inexpensively, you can find the following list of the most attractive islands where you can rent a house or rent a room:
- Thoddoo is one of the many favorite islands in the Maldives. Toddu is not so far from Male. Only 67 km. And there are some incredibly beautiful beaches and great places to relax. It is also one of the few agricultural islands where food is grown for other islands.
- Dhigurah The island is located almost 100 km from Male and is part of the Alif Daal Atoll with a local population of about 500 people. You can get there by speed boat. This is where whale sharks live year-round.
- Thulusdhoo is located north of Male and is considered one of the best surfing islands in the Maldives. About 1400 local residents live here. You can stay here to surf in places like Canopus Retreat, Kahanbu Oceanview or Season Paradise.
- Maafushi - The first guest house in the Maldives opened here in 2010. This is a popular local island with dozens of guesthouses and even dive centers to choose from.
- Guraidhoo The island is close to Male. You can get there by speed boat or local ferry.
Vacation with children
The Maldives, a place that has become synonymous with honeymoon paradise in the tourism world, is gradually being updated to meet the needs of families visiting this tropical island. Special children’s centers in upscale resorts, expert snorkeling lessons and recreational activities such as crab races are some of the many activities introduced over time to ensure that children enjoy the beauty of this archipelago as young couples do. Traveling with the whole family, you need to know in advance where it is better to relax with children in the Maldives and what places to visit.
How to spend time on the islands?
- Walk with the dolphins. Dolphin watching is one of the activities in the Maldives that is offered on all islands. Here you can see 4 different species of dolphins. Unlike other incredible sea creatures that you can also see here, such as whale sharks or blue whales, dolphins are common and are present year round. Around Kaashidha you can count about 100 dolphins, but in other places their number can reach thousands.
- Moving by boat. Just like most people, city dwellers, take a train or bus, the Maldivians catch a boat. There is a lot of water, so boating is one of the things that must be done in the Maldives. Along the way, you can see many fascinating moments: jumping tuna, flying fish, dolphins and birds.
- Fishing is an art that is in the blood of the Maldivians. In the vicinity there are many lagoons and fishing grounds, so fishing is the main occupation for many settlements. Tourists can also be involved in this process and even try their hand at local fishing. This is a very interesting experience with children in the Maldives.
- Family time at the beach. You can just spend time on the beach with your children playing in the white sand.
The best beaches
The Maldives offers many interesting and varied options for tourists looking for the perfect beach holiday. Thousands of years ago, the islands shook from volcanic eruptions. Volcanic activity has led to the formation of beautiful coral atolls that can rise thousands of meters above sea level.
Next, consider where the best beaches in the Maldives.
Beaches of the Northern Islands
Where is the best place to relax in the Maldives in the northern part of the islands? The northern beaches include Haa Alif (the northernmost atoll in the Maldives), the northern atoll of Kaafu, the northern Ari Atoll and the Soneva Gili.
Maldivian beaches are known for their impeccable reputation, but the super-expensive resort of Soneva Gili reigns supremely in its surface villa, which is equipped with a small number of luxuries that travelers are not even aware of. The resort offers room service by speedboat and private butler service, which will take tourists to deserted private beaches and enjoy picnics.
Beaches of the South Islands
Where better to relax in the Maldives in the southern part of the archipelago? The southern beaches include Seenu (the southernmost atoll in the Maldives), the southern atoll of Kaafu, the southern Ari Atoll, Nalaguraidu beach, known as the most stunning beach in the Maldives. As well as the islands of Banyan, Nika and Cocoa.
Cocoa Island is another of those islands in the sun where nothing special happens and the beauty of the surrounding seas is magnificent. Tourists come here for romance or to relax.
Beaches of the Western Islands
Where is the best place to relax in the Maldives in the western part of the islands? Baa Atoll is located in the west of the chain of atolls in the Maldives. It consists of 75 islands. 13 of them are inhabited, and the total population of the Baa Atoll is just over 11,000. To date, 5 other islands are turning into resorts, while the rest remain uninhabited.
The most popular beach on Baa Atoll is on a tiny island called Fonimagudu Island. Only 15% of the land is built on this island, and it has a stunning eco-friendly beach resort that serves customers mainly from the UK and continental Europe. The rest of the island offers lush vegetation, beautiful palm trees and a white sand beach, known as Riti Beach. The lagoon of crystal clear waters of Riti Beach is home to a beautiful home reef, which is located only 30-100 m from the coast.
When planning to go to these paradise islands, first of all, you need to determine the season for a vacation by month. The Maldives is what dreams are made of - both about a vacation inspired by incredibly idyllic pictures or fantasies, and about giving up your daily work and leaving to live on an exotic island for the rest of your life (or at least for a week or two).