The Maldives' dry season is the northeast monsoon, which the Maldives Meteorological Service dates from January to March, with December and April as transition months; the wet season runs from mid-May to November. Visitors need no visa in advance (it is issued on arrival), but they must complete a free IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival, and have a return ticket, a confirmed prepaid booking and sufficient funds (Maldives Immigration). Every trip starts at Velana International Airport.
Photo: Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels (Pexels)
Key facts for planning
| What | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season (northeast monsoon) | ✅ Official (Maldives Meteorological Service) | January–March; December and April are transition months |
| Wet season (southwest monsoon) | ✅ Official (Maldives Meteorological Service) | Mid-May to November |
| Visa | ✅ Official (Maldives Immigration) | Visa on arrival, no pre-approval needed |
| IMUGA Traveller Declaration | ✅ Official (Maldives Immigration) | Free, within 96 hours before arrival, one per traveller including children |
| Length of stay granted on arrival | ✅ Official (High Commission of the Maldives in Singapore) | Up to 30 days, issued free on arrival at the discretion of immigration |
| Seasons as described by Visit Maldives | ✅ Official (Visit Maldives) | Northeast monsoon November–April is generally sunny; southwest monsoon May–October brings rain |
The two official sources draw the season line slightly differently, so treat December and April as the months where it pays to check the forecast.
When to go
- January to March: the driest months, with 10 to 11 hours of sunshine a day on average (Maldives Meteorological Service).
- December and April: transition months; April and March are the warmest, and average temperatures stay between 25°C and 32°C all year.
- Mid-May to November: the wet season brings more rain, usually in showers with sunny spells in between. It is also when whale sharks and manta rays gather at Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, a protected UNESCO biosphere reserve area (Maldives Protected Areas).
Resort or guesthouse
Resort islands
- The Maldives works on a "one island, one resort" model; resorts reach the airport by speedboat for nearby atolls, and by seaplane or domestic flight for farther ones (Visit Maldives).
- Alcohol is available at all resorts (Visit Maldives).
Guesthouses on local islands
- Guesthouses sit on inhabited islands, so you share space with local communities; dress modestly there (Visit Maldives). Alcohol is sold at resorts, but individuals cannot import it, and on inhabited islands drinking is usually frowned upon (Visit Maldives).
- Scheduled ferries run from Malé to many atolls (Visit Maldives).
7-day itinerary (example: Sat Jan 16 – Fri Jan 22, 2027)
Sat: Arrival
- Land at Velana, have your IMUGA confirmation and passport ready at immigration, and take the transfer arranged by your lodging.
Days 2–3 — Sun–Mon: Guesthouse island
- Snorkel from the beach, walk the village in modest dress and eat locally.
Days 4–6 — Tue–Thu: Resort or second island
- Move by ferry, speedboat or seaplane, depending on what your lodging offers.
- Spend the days snorkelling or diving; do not stand on, touch or remove coral (Visit Maldives).
Fri: Return to Malé
- Allow buffer time for the transfer back to Velana, especially if you fly out the same day; seaplane and domestic flight schedules vary.
Entry requirements (Maldives Immigration)
- Passport with machine-readable zone and at least one month of validity.
- A complete itinerary: return ticket, a confirmed prepaid booking at a registered facility, and sufficient funds.
- IMUGA Traveller Declaration, within 96 hours before arrival; free, and required for each traveller including children.
- A yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country at risk.
Money, taxes and connectivity
- The local currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa; major credit cards are accepted (Visit Maldives).
- A Green Tax per person per day applies to guests at tourist establishments; the amount depends on the type of lodging (Visit Maldives).
- Prepaid SIM cards are sold at the airport (Visit Maldives).
Combine it with other warm trips
For other places that are warm in December, see our warm places to visit in December 2026, pair the islands with a stop in Bali or browse winter vacation ideas for 2026–27.
Plan it with Lets2Go
Tell Lets2Go's AI trip planner your dates and whether you prefer a resort, a guesthouse or both, and get a day-by-day plan you can adjust. Also on the App Store and Google Play. Opening hours and dates can change, so confirm them on official sites before you go.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The dry northeast monsoon runs January to March, with December and April as transition months, according to the Maldives Meteorological Service; it reports 10 to 11 hours of sunshine a day on average in January to March. Visit Maldives describes November to April as generally sunny.
Do I need a visa for the Maldives?
A tourist visa is issued on arrival, with no pre-approval, according to Maldives Immigration. You need a passport valid for at least one month, a return ticket, a confirmed prepaid booking, sufficient funds and the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival.
Should I stay at a resort or a guesthouse?
Resorts offer one island per property and reach farther atolls by seaplane or domestic flight; guesthouses are on inhabited islands, with modest dress expected and local ferries as an option, according to Visit Maldives. Pick by how much local life you want and how far you are willing to travel.
How do I get from the airport to my island?
Speedboat transfers are the norm for resorts near Velana International Airport, while farther resorts use a seaplane or a domestic flight; scheduled ferries run from Malé to many atolls (Visit Maldives). Ask your lodging which transfer it arranges.
