The enchanting Maldives offer the chance to create magical memories in a breathtaking paradise island setting – but when is the best time of year for the type of holiday you dream of?

Maybe you crave an amazing scuba diving adventure, a feast of family fun or the chance to snap up a holiday deal at a great price during the low season. Whatever you desire, there’s certain to be a time to visit this spellbinding tropical escape which is ideal for you. This sensational archipelago which consists of more than 1,200 idyllic islands is steeped in pure beauty and wonder, with its pristine sandy beaches, swaying palms, turquoise waters, incredible marine life and captivating sunsets. Luxurious private resort accommodation, fabulous food, water sports thrills, impeccable hospitality and plenty of entertainment further add to the appeal of the mesmerising Maldives, the perfect place for the holiday of a lifetime in the heavenly Indian Ocean sunshine.

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The best time for families

Clear blue skies, warm waters and invigorating sunshine make December to March a great time for a family holiday in the Maldives. Many of the luxury resorts boast superb adventure playgrounds, water slides, children’s pools and a myriad of other fantastic amenities to ensure young guests have a ball. You’ll also discover action-packed kids’ clubs which allow parents to enjoy some quality time while little ones are kept fully entertained. Canoeing, snorkelling, glass-bottomed boat rides and treasure hunts are among the other fun-filled activities which await. This time of year also offers the chance for families to escape the UK’s cold and gloomy winter weather, and maybe even enjoy a Christmas with a difference – even Santa will be grateful for a brief gift-bearing stop in sunny climes!

The best time for honeymooners

The Maldives is a lover’s paradise, with the summer months of December to April being perfect for an unforgettable honeymoon experience. Stroll hand-in-hand along powdery sands, gaze in awe at jaw-dropping sunsets or head out to sea on a romantic catamaran cruise. You’ll also be able to snorkel to colourful coral reefs, feast on delicious fare during a candlelit dinner on the beach, or treat yourself to a pampering session for couples in your plush resort spa. If you’re lucky, you might even get the opportunity to enjoy the unique experience of dining in an underwater restaurant, or have the chance to watch a movie in a romantic beachside cinema under the stars. As well as a dream honeymoon destination, the Maldives is also a popular choice for couples wishing to renew their vows or tie the knot in an intimate oceanside wedding ceremony.

The best time to make a saving

The high season in the Maldives is between December and April, with January, February and March being the peak months for visitors craving a dream getaway in the sun. However, if you want to save on your Indian Ocean holiday, the cheapest time to visit is during the wet season from May to November. You would have to be willing to put up with a little wind and maybe a thunderstorm in between the sunshine, but this could be the time for you. You’ll get the chance to holiday in an awe-inspiring destination at a price you can afford and still live in luxury, staying in sumptuous accommodation, dining in style and enjoying a host of leisure amenities. The sea life among the beautiful coral reefs is also more abundant at this time of year, offering you the chance to marvel at a myriad of spectacular creatures beneath the waves.

The best time to scuba dive

The dry season’s warm and tranquil waters from December to May create perfect conditions for scuba diving and snorkelling. The Maldives is blessed with a multitude of spectacular dive sites, with the most popular places to plunge beneath the waves including Kandooma Thila, Rainbow Reef, Alimatha Jetty, Banana Reef and Cocoa Thila. Diving fanatics and wildlife lovers travel from around the globe to swim with the manta rays which flock to Hanifaru Bay in the Baa Atoll. Many of the exclusive island resorts have their own PADI-certified dive centres where professional instructors will take beginner and experienced divers to superb spots on the stunning lagoons, reefs, crevices and underwater caves. The islands also have several famous shipwrecks to explore including Kuda Giri Wreck and the Victory Wreck. The impressive array of life under the sea includes whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, dog-tooth tuna, Napoleon wrasse and trevally.

The best time for water sports

When it comes to water sports action, the best time for you to holiday in the Maldives depends largely on which activities you are interested in. If, for example, you are a jetskiing, paddleboarding or flyboarding enthusiast, then conditions are ideal during the dry season months of December to May when the waters are warm, calm and inviting. This is also a great time for kayaking, tubing, island-hopping sailing trips and underwater walking with a transparent domed helmet. The wet season, from March to mid-November, is the best time for surfing, with the Maldives offering waves which can top 10 feet. The most impressive breakers arrive during March to May, driven by strong winds averaging between 15 and 22 knots. North Malé Atoll is home to some of the Maldives’ best breaks. This time of year is also great for kitesurfing, windsurfing, parasailing and deep sea fishing.

If your priority is sunny tropical weather, then an ideal time to visit the Maldives is from November to February, before the end of the dry season and start of the wet season. There will be no shortage of fabulous sunshine, so you can get on with having an amazing holiday, lazing on the sands, taking to the water for a splashing time and exploring the breathtaking natural surroundings. The Maldives enjoys an average of 8 hours of daily sunshine and the ocean temperature rarely falls below 25°C, making conditions perfect for diving, snorkelling, swimming and a variety of water sports. The islands experience very little variation in annual temperatures, averaging a steady 28°C to 30°C throughout the year. The wet season – known as the South West Monsoon – runs from May to November, when strong winds create excellent conditions for a surfing holiday.

“The Maldives has all options covered, no matter what type of holiday you crave. Solo travellers, couples, families and groups of friends are all catered for.

“This sensational escape enjoys glorious sunshine all year round, but some months of the year are more ideally suited to individual needs – the dry season, for example, is the perfect time for scuba diving enthusiasts wanting to explore the wonders beneath the waves.

“Whatever time you decide to visit the Maldives you can rest assured you’ll enjoy the holiday of a lifetime, surrounded by beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters and thrilling activities.

“This incredible island destination is also renowned for its postcard-perfect scenery, romantic sunsets, unrivalled hospitality, great food and a myriad of water sports.”

Summer Island Maldives

North Malé Atoll

Succumb to the breathtaking beauty of the Maldives during a fun-filled getaway at this sensational all-inclusive island sanctuary. Spend heavenly nights in exquisitely-appointed accommodation, savour culinary delights in a choice of top-class dining venues and enjoy water sports galore in the glistening ocean. A host of other wonderful amenities to fill your days with pleasure and leisure include a cutting-edge gym, a diving school, an infinity-edge swimming pool, a sumptuous spa and plenty of entertainment.

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Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Raa Atoll

Jet off for a taste of paradise on earth at this fabulous all-inclusive 5-star island retreat where you’ll live the dream, surrounded by palm-fringed sands and warm ocean waters. Snorkel in the beautiful house reef, sip cocktails beside the sparkling infinity pool or enjoy the ultimate pampering experience in the plush spa. Restful nights await in your elegant beach or water villa and global cuisine will tantalise your taste buds in the resort’s excellent dining spots. A private beach, fitness centre, dive centre, boutique and games room are among the other wonderful amenities available.

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Cora Cora Maldives

Raa Atoll

It’s relaxation, leisure and entertainment all the way at this magnificent 5-star all-inclusive hideaway on Raa Maamigili Island. You’ll stay in a lavish beach or lagoon villa which oozes comfort and style, while Asian, Japanese and Italian dishes are among the gastronomic joys in a choice of impressive restaurants. A myriad of superb amenities at this haven of pleasure include a private beach, water sports centre, house reef, fitness centre, spa and a lively kids club for young guests.

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