The sea temperature at Maldives today is 30 °C (86 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 28.9 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 30 to 30.4 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea temperature has held at around 30 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 28 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.0°C / 82.5°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 28.8°C / 83.8°F |
| February | 28.3°C / 83.0°F | 28.7°C / 83.7°F | 29.0°C / 84.1°F |
| March | 28.7°C / 83.7°F | 29.3°C / 84.7°F | 29.7°C / 85.4°F |
| April | 29.9°C / 85.8°F | 30.2°C / 86.4°F | 30.7°C / 87.3°F |
| May | 29.5°C / 85.1°F | 30.0°C / 85.9°F | 30.3°C / 86.6°F |
| June | 28.8°C / 83.9°F | 29.2°C / 84.6°F | 29.5°C / 85.1°F |
| July | 28.7°C / 83.6°F | 29.0°C / 84.2°F | 29.5°C / 85.2°F |
| August | 28.2°C / 82.7°F | 28.7°C / 83.7°F | 29.3°C / 84.7°F |
| September | 28.2°C / 82.8°F | 28.8°C / 83.8°F | 29.1°C / 84.4°F |
| October | 28.2°C / 82.7°F | 28.9°C / 83.9°F | 29.4°C / 85.0°F |
| November | 28.3°C / 83.0°F | 29.0°C / 84.1°F | 29.7°C / 85.4°F |
| December | 28.3°C / 83.0°F | 28.8°C / 83.8°F | 29.4°C / 84.9°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.8°C / 80.2°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 27.1°C / 80.9°F |
| February | 27.2°C / 80.9°F | 27.6°C / 81.6°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| March | 27.6°C / 81.6°F | 28.0°C / 82.3°F | 28.1°C / 82.5°F |
| April | 28.0°C / 82.4°F | 28.3°C / 83.0°F | 28.5°C / 83.2°F |
| May | 28.0°C / 82.3°F | 28.2°C / 82.8°F | 28.2°C / 82.8°F |
| June | 27.8°C / 82.1°F | 28.0°C / 82.5°F | 28.1°C / 82.6°F |
| July | 27.4°C / 81.4°F | 27.7°C / 81.8°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| August | 27.1°C / 80.7°F | 27.4°C / 81.4°F | 27.6°C / 81.7°F |
| September | 27.0°C / 80.6°F | 27.3°C / 81.2°F | 27.5°C / 81.4°F |
| October | 26.9°C / 80.5°F | 27.2°C / 81.0°F | 27.3°C / 81.1°F |
| November | 26.8°C / 80.3°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F |
| December | 26.9°C / 80.5°F | 27.2°C / 80.9°F | 27.2°C / 81.0°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Maldives holidays
Scattered across the Indian Ocean south-west of Sri Lanka and India, the Maldives is an island nation of about 1,200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. Most of the land lies little more than a metre above the sea, and most resorts occupy an island of their own, with white sand beaches, a lagoon and overwater villas.
Beaches
Almost every resort island is ringed by white coral sand and a shallow lagoon, and many have a house reef close enough to the beach to snorkel from the shore. On inhabited local islands such as Maafushi, guesthouses offer a cheaper stay; swimwear is worn only on marked "bikini beaches", and alcohol is served only in resorts and on boats. Lagoons are calm on the sheltered side of an island, while beaches facing the open channels can shift with the seasons. The sea temperature on this page is measured in Noonu Atoll, in the north of the country.
Things to do
Snorkelling and diving are the main reason to visit the Maldives: reef sharks, turtles and manta rays are common sights, and whale sharks can be seen all year in South Ari Atoll. Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, draws gatherings of manta rays during the south-west monsoon, with swimming limited to guided visits. Resorts also run trips to sandbanks, dolphin cruises at sunset and fishing at night. In the capital, Malé, the coral-stone Old Friday Mosque and the fish market show everyday island life.
Weather and best time to visit
At Maldives the sea stays above 28 °C / 82 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
The drier north-east monsoon brings the high season from December to April, with calmer seas and the highest prices. The south-west monsoon, usually from mid-May to November, brings more rain, wind and choppier water, but also the manta season and the best surf.
Hotels and where to stay
The choice of atoll decides the transfer: resorts in North and South Malé atolls are reached by speedboat, and those further away by seaplane or a domestic flight followed by a boat. Guesthouses on local islands cost less but follow local customs.
Signature hotels: Sun Siyam Olhuveli (South Malé Atoll) · Meeru Maldives Resort Island (North Malé Atoll)
Airport and getting there
Velana International Airport (MLE) sits on Hulhulé island, next to the capital, Malé. Resorts arrange transfers: speedboats leave from the airport jetty, and seaplanes take off from a lagoon beside the runway and fly only in daylight, so late arrivals may need a night near the airport. Tourists who meet the entry requirements receive a visa on arrival.