Are you nervous to visit the Maldives during ‘rainy season’? So were we. We visited the Maldives in July and we highly recommend it! Read below to learn why:
Busy and Slow Seasons
If you are like many couples in the US and Europe getting married during the summer months, it means you’re likely planning a honeymoon in the June through August time frame. We were married in late June and as we were searching for honeymoon destinations, we were nervous about booking our trip to the Maldives during their rainy season! It was especially daunting booking the Maldives when other honeymoon destinations, like Bora Bora, are in their prime weather seasons.
In the Maldives, the busy season is typically December through March, aligning with the least rainy months the island nation experiences. May through November is typically referred to as the slow season which has both positives and negatives. We found that July was a perfect time for us to visit the Maldives and we would highly recommend going during the slow season!
A rainy day at Hurawalhi
One of many beautiful sunsets
Stay for longer with lower Prices in The Summer
During our research, we read that one traveler was deciding between the options of one week in the Maldives in the dry season or two weeks in the rainy season. He suggested two weeks because A) you get more time on your vacation and B) you spread out your chance of rain. This was some of the best advice we read!
One of the biggest benefits of traveling to the Maldives during the summer months of June through August, is the nightly prices at the resorts are half of what they are during the busy season! For us, this meant that we could stay for twice as long, and spread out our chance of rain. We highly recommend going for a longer period of time during the summer months so if you do get a few rainy days, you’re much more likely to have several days of beautiful sunshine! All likely for a similar total cost to a shorter trip during the dry season.
Being the off-season in the Maldives, and the high-season for other honeymoon destinations like Bora Bora meant that we were able to stay longer in the Maldives than we would have been able to in Bora Bora. The prices were so much cheaper!
Kanuhura’s beautiful evening
Rachel exploring the Kanuhura beaches
The Weather
A rainy day at Hurawalhi
Did it rain on us in the Maldives? Absolutely! But the rain typically only lasted for an hour, and we only had a couple of days that were cloudy and drizzly for most of the day. Looking at the image below of average rainfall in the Maldives by month, you can see that there are really only three months of the year that have “less rainfall”than July - January, February and March.
Of the remaining “rainy months,” July is actually the fifth driest month out of the entire year! If you’re planning a trip to the Maldives, we highly recommend staying in July. Even if you experience a little rain, the peaceful island is so relaxing (and warm) during any weather.
Overall, yes, you take additional weather risk to travel to the Maldives during their rainy season. But, all things considered, even being concerned about the same thing - we felt it was very worth it. July is the driest month of the (US) summer - stay for longer and give it a try!