Best Time to Dive in the Maldives
The Maldives is wonderful for diving year-round, although given its unpredictable seasonal weather patterns, the best time to dive in the Maldives is generally between December and April. This time of year is the dry season and offers the best overall visibility underwater, along with calmer seas and clear blue skies. Between May and November, you can expect stronger winds and slightly rougher seas, but usually plenty of sunny spells too. Temperatures in the water and on the land are still lovely, although there's a higher chance of rain and most likely, lower visibility. In short, if reliable weather is a must-have on your diving holiday, plan to visit during the dry season.
Among the Maldives' rich marine life, whale shark and manta ray sightings are often the highlight of a diving trip. So, how can you see these gentle giants? The good news is that you can spot them here all year round - the trick is knowing where to go, and when.
The high season (December to April) is also the northeast monsoon season, when winds blow from the northeast, so manta rays and whale sharks can be found on the western side of the atolls.
During the wet season (May to November), manta rays and whale sharks are instead found on the eastern side of the atolls. These majestic creatures congregate 'downwind' of the southwest monsoons, following plankton across the atolls. The top spot for manta sightings? Hanifaru Bay, on the eastern side of Baa Atoll. Thanks to the monsoon current sweeping plankton into the narrow bay, manta rays flock here for a feeding frenzy, making it an unforgettable snorkelling spot.
On the South Ari Atoll, whale sharks are mostly spotted around the eastern island of Dhigurah during the wet season and move west during the dry season. Within the central atolls, nearly all whale shark encounters and manta sightings occur 'downwind' of the monsoon.
See below for more information about the best time to dive in the Maldives' different atolls.
When to go
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Atolls | ||||||||||||
| Southern Atolls | ||||||||||||
| Central Atolls |
Where to go when
Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month
Best Scuba Diving in October
Best scuba diving in November
Best Scuba Diving in December
Where to Dive in January
Best Scuba Diving in February
Best scuba diving in March
Best Scuba Diving in April
Best Scuba Diving in May
Best Scuba Diving in June
Best Scuba Diving in July
Best Scuba Diving in August
