When To Go · Destination Guide
Channel drifts, soft-coral walls, and an iconic night dive in a quieter Maldives atoll
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 27 sources
When to go
The Maldives is shaped by two monsoon patterns.
Best overall window
Drier weather, lighter winds often around 18 km/h, and more reliable sea conditions for transfers.
Outside that window
Southwest monsoon brings higher wind and chop, often around 25 km/h, and short rain squalls.
Start with the overall answer, then switch only when scuba, freedive, snorkel, or topside timing changes the trip in a meaningful way.
The overall row stays visible so you can compare it against the currently selected scope.
| Scope | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall - Jan: Best | Overall - Feb: Best | Overall - Mar: Best | Overall - Apr: Good | Overall - May: Tradeoffs | Overall - Jun: Tradeoffs | Overall - Jul: Tradeoffs | Overall - Aug: Tradeoffs | Overall - Sep: Tradeoffs | Overall - Oct: Tradeoffs | Overall - Nov: Tradeoffs | Overall - Dec: Good |
These do not replace the overall planner. Use them only if a specific animal or event is driving your trip dates.
Nurse sharks and rays at Alimatha (night dive conditions)
Best for Scuba
Year-round
Alimatha Jetty is famous for closerange nurse shark and ray encounters in shallow water, especially on night dives around 10 m to 15 m.
Kandu shark action (grey reef and whitetips)
Best for Scuba
Year-round
Channel dives like Miyaru Kandu and Fotteyo Kandu are known for shark sightings, especially when tidal flow is strong.
Eagle rays on deeper channel edges
Best for Scuba
Year-round
Sites such as Devana Kandu commonly report eagle rays cruising the deeper edges during drift dives.
Manta ray chances in plankton-rich months
Best for Scuba, Snorkel
May to Nov
During the southwest monsoon, increased plankton can improve chances of seeing mantas on appropriate reef and channel sites, though visibility may be lower.
Built from climate references, access rules, and destination operators. Wildlife timing and route flexibility can shift year to year.