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

Malé, Maldives JANUARY
28°
Peak season
26° to 31°
Dry & Sunny
Comparatively dry, part of the best window for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
29°
Peak season
27° to 31°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, sunny and calm.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
29°
Peak season
27° to 32°
Dry Season Ends
Still very dry, rounding out the best window.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Shoulder season
27° to 32°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, with rain building noticeably.
🥵 Heat protection☔ Light rain jacket
29°
Off-peak season
27° to 32°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the southwest monsoon sets in.
☔ Heavy rain gear💨 Windy conditions
29°
Shoulder season
27° to 31°
Steady Rain
Rain remains frequent, with breezier conditions typical of the season.
☔ Umbrella essential💨 Windy conditions
29°
Shoulder season
26° to 31°
Steady Rain
Similar to June, part of the windier southwest monsoon stretch.
☔ Umbrella essential💨 Windy conditions
29°
Shoulder season
26° to 31°
Steady Rain
Rain ticks up slightly from July, still within the wetter half of the year.
☔ Umbrella essential💨 Windy conditions
28°
Off-peak season
26° to 31°
Very Wet
Among the wettest, most frequently rainy months of the year.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
26° to 31°
Very Wet
Still among the wettest months, as the northeast monsoon approaches.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
26° to 31°
Wettest Month
The month with the most total rainfall of the year, as the northeast monsoon sets in.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
26° to 31°
Still Wet
Still part of the wetter half of the year, closing out the rainy period.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
114 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
41 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
12 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
76 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
12 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
124 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
221 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
18 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
165 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
19 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
150 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
19 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
175 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
19 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
201 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
18 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
196 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
15 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
231 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
216 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 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
Malé's driest stretch and the best time for a visit. January through March is historically the calmest window for rain, with February and March the least rainy months of the year.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Nov, Dec
This tier spans April, June, July, August, November, and December, the edges of the wet season as rain builds ahead of its peak and eases again afterward.
Off-peak season: May, Sep, Oct
Malé's wettest stretch. May, September, and October see the heaviest, most frequent rain of the year, part of a longer rainy period that runs from May through December.
Good to know
🏙️
One of the world's most densely populated cities
Malé packs a large population onto a very small island, making it among the most densely populated cities anywhere in the world.
✈️
Home to the main international gateway
Velana International Airport sits on a neighboring island, Hulhulé, connected to Malé by a bridge across the lagoon.
🌊
A low-lying island nation
Malé, like the rest of the Maldives, sits only slightly above sea level, a defining feature of the entire country's geography.
🌬️
The southwest monsoon brings wind as well as rain
From roughly April through September, the southwest monsoon can make the sea around Malé rougher, a consideration for boat transfers and water activities.
🌀
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
Malé's Old Town & Fish Market
A dense, walkable core with a busy local fish market, mosques, and narrow streets reflecting everyday Maldivian life.
2
Hulhumalé
A large reclaimed-land island near the airport, developed with beaches, parks, and a more spacious layout than central Malé.
3
Nearby Resort Islands
Malé serves as the gateway to the resort islands of the surrounding atolls, most reached by speedboat or seaplane.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Malé?
Malé's rainy period historically runs from May through December, with November typically bringing the most total rainfall of any month.
What is the best time of year to visit Malé?
January through March is historically Malé's driest window, with February and March the least rainy months of the year.
What is the least favorable time to visit Malé?
May, September, and October are historically among the wettest, most frequently rainy months of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Malé?
November is historically the wettest month, averaging around 231mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Malé?
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 41mm of rain.
How hot does Malé get?
April is historically the hottest month of the year on average.
What should I pack for Malé during the rainy season?
A light raincoat or umbrella is worth packing from May through December, along with lightweight, tropics-friendly clothing year-round.
Is Malé the capital of the Maldives?
Yes. Malé is the capital and by far the most densely populated city in the country, connected by bridge to Velana International Airport.
Do cyclones affect Malé?
Occasionally. The Maldives can be brushed by tropical cyclones, most often between April and December, and as a low-lying island, Malé can be affected by wind, rain, and unusual waves.
Is the sea rougher near Malé during certain months?
Yes, at times. The southwest monsoon, roughly April through September, can make the sea rougher around Malé and the surrounding central atolls.