Is It Monsoon in Hanimaadhoo, Maldives? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Hanimaadhoo, Maldives JANUARY
28°
Peak season
24° to 31°
Dry & Sunny
The driest, sunniest stretch of the year, with the lowest rain of any month.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
Peak season
24° to 31°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, still part of the best window.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
29°
Peak season
26° to 32°
Dry Season Ends
Still dry, rounding out the best window, with the heat building.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Shoulder season
27° to 33°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, and the month of the Maldives' all-time heat record.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
27° to 32°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the southwest monsoon sets in, with windier conditions too.
☔ Umbrella essential💨 Windy conditions
28°
Off-peak season
26° to 31°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, with rain on more days than any other month.
☔ Heavy rain gear💨 Windy conditions
28°
Off-peak season
26° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, part of the windier southwest monsoon stretch.
☔ Heavy rain gear💨 Windy conditions
28°
Off-peak season
26° to 31°
Still Very Wet
Still deep in the wet season, similar to July.
☔ Heavy rain gear💨 Windy conditions
28°
Shoulder season
26° to 31°
Rain Eases
Rain eases a little from the peak of the monsoon.
☔ Umbrella essential💨 Windy conditions
28°
Shoulder season
25° to 31°
Northeast Monsoon Begins
Rain remains fairly steady as the calmer northeast monsoon takes over.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
25° to 31°
Rain Eases Further
Rain eases further as the calmer, quieter monsoon settles in.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 31°
Dry Season Returns
Rain eases further still as the dry season approaches.
☔ Umbrella handy☀️ Sunscreen
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
41 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
30 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
10 hrs/day
77% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
36 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
66 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
236 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
20 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
231 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
22 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
259 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
22 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
221 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
22 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
175 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
20 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
201 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
170 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
109 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Mar
Hanimaadhoo's dry season and the best time for a visit. January through March is historically the driest, sunniest stretch in the northern atolls.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
This tier spans April, May, September, October, November, and December, the edges of the wet season as rain builds and eases.
Off-peak season: Jun, Jul, Aug
The heart of the southwest monsoon here. June through August sees the heaviest rain of the year, with the wind also picking up noticeably.
Good to know
🌡️
Holds the Maldives' national heat record
In April 2016, Hanimaadhoo recorded 35°C, the highest temperature ever measured anywhere in the Maldives.
🧭
One of the northernmost inhabited islands
Hanimaadhoo sits at almost 7 degrees north latitude, in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, among the northernmost parts of the Maldives.
🌬️
More exposed to the southwest monsoon wind
The northern atolls feel the southwest monsoon's wind more strongly than the south, which can make the sea rougher and less ideal for diving from around April to September.
🐠
A gateway to lesser-visited northern atolls
Hanimaadhoo's airport serves as an entry point for reefs and resorts across the northern Maldives, less developed than the busier central atolls.
🌀
Cyclones are rare but not impossible
The Maldives can occasionally be brushed by tropical cyclones, most often forming or passing between April and December, with low-lying islands vulnerable to wind, rain, and unusual waves.
Top attractions
1
Haa Dhaalu Atoll Reefs
Less-visited reef systems around Hanimaadhoo, known for healthy coral and fewer crowds than the central atolls.
2
Local Island Visits
Nearby inhabited islands offer a look at everyday Maldivian life outside the resort circuit.
3
Sandbanks & Uninhabited Islets
Boat trips to nearby uninhabited sandbanks are a popular day-trip activity from Hanimaadhoo.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Hanimaadhoo?
Hanimaadhoo's wettest stretch historically runs from May through October, driven by the southwest monsoon, with July typically the wettest month.
What is the best time of year to visit Hanimaadhoo?
January through March is historically Hanimaadhoo's driest, sunniest window and the best time for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Hanimaadhoo?
June through August is historically the wettest, windiest stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Hanimaadhoo?
July is historically the wettest month, averaging around 259mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Hanimaadhoo?
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 30mm of rain.
How hot does Hanimaadhoo get?
April is historically the hottest month on average, and holds the all-time Maldives heat record of 35°C, set in April 2016.
What should I pack for Hanimaadhoo during the rainy season?
A light raincoat or umbrella is worth packing from May through October, along with lightweight, tropics-friendly clothing year-round.
Is the sea rougher in Hanimaadhoo than in southern Maldives?
Yes, at times. The northern atolls feel the southwest monsoon's wind more strongly, which can make the sea rougher, especially from around April to September.
Do cyclones affect Hanimaadhoo?
Occasionally. The Maldives can be brushed by tropical cyclones, most often between April and December, and as low-lying islands, they can be affected by wind, rain, and unusual waves.
Is Hanimaadhoo good for diving?
Diving conditions are generally best during the calmer northeast monsoon, roughly October to March, when the sea is less likely to be rough.