What's on in Malé (Maldives), Maldives through the year

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Iruvai, the dry monsoon

• Nature

  Whale sharks in South Ari

  1 Jan – 31 Dec · usuallyDive season

  The juveniles off Maamigili are the one aggregation in the country that holds all year, which is why the day boats run out of Male in any month. Sightings thin when the southwest swell is up. Source ↗

Still on: Iruvai, the dry monsoon (1 Dec – 30 Apr), Peak festive fortnight (20 Dec – 10 Jan)

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Iruvai, the dry monsoon

• Rule

  Ramadan

  17 Feb – 19 MarClosures

  On Male and the other inhabited islands cafes close during daylight and alcohol rules tighten further. Resort islands run as normal, which is the difference that matters here. Source ↗

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Iruvai, the dry monsoon (1 Dec – 30 Apr)

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Eid al-Fitr

• Season

  Surf season on the eastern reefs

  1 Mar – 31 Oct · usually

  The southwest monsoon swell lights up the breaks on the eastern side of the atolls, best from June to August, which is exactly when everything else is cheapest.

• Holiday

  Eid al-Fitr

  19–21 MarRamadan & EidCrowdedClosures

  Several days of public holiday. Domestic ferries and seaplane slots go to Maldivians travelling home, so transfers are the thing to lock in early. Source ↗

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Ramadan (17 Feb – 19 Mar), Iruvai, the dry monsoon (1 Dec – 30 Apr)

Busy — between the peaks, Iruvai, the dry monsoon

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Surf season on the eastern reefs (1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Iruvai, the dry monsoon (1 Dec – 30 Apr)

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Eid al-Adha

• Season

  Hulhangu, the wet monsoon

  1 May – 30 NovRisk

  The southwest monsoon means wind, squalls and choppier crossings, and rates across the country fall with it. Diving stays good in the lee of each atoll.

• Nature

  Manta season on the western atolls

  1 May – 30 Nov · usuallyMonsoon

  The monsoon pushes plankton into the western atolls and the reef mantas follow it, with Hanifaru Bay in Baa at its most reliable from late July to October.

• Holiday

  Eid al-Adha

  1 May – 15 Jun · usuallyRamadan & EidClosuresCrowded

  Several days of public holiday when Maldivians travel home between islands, so ferry seats and seaplane slots go to residents first. Male itself is half shut and unusually quiet with it. Source ↗

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Surf season on the eastern reefs (1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually))

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Eid al-Adha

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Surf season on the eastern reefs (1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Hulhangu, the wet monsoon (1 May – 30 Nov), Manta season on the western atolls (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Eid al-Adha (1 May – 15 Jun (usually))

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Independence Day

• Holiday

  Independence Day

  26–27 JulNational holidayClosures

  Two days of public holiday on the 26th and 27th of July, with a parade and fireworks on the Male waterfront. Offices and government buildings close. Source ↗

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Surf season on the eastern reefs (1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Hulhangu, the wet monsoon (1 May – 30 Nov), Manta season on the western atolls (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Mid-year holidays in Maldives

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Surf season on the eastern reefs (1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Hulhangu, the wet monsoon (1 May – 30 Nov), Manta season on the western atolls (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Second-term mid-break in Maldives

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Surf season on the eastern reefs (1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Hulhangu, the wet monsoon (1 May – 30 Nov), Manta season on the western atolls (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Surf season on the eastern reefs (1 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Hulhangu, the wet monsoon (1 May – 30 Nov), Manta season on the western atolls (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Hulhangu, the wet monsoon (1 May – 30 Nov), Manta season on the western atolls (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Iruvai, the dry monsoon

• Season

  Iruvai, the dry monsoon

  1 Dec – 30 AprCrowded

  The northeast monsoon brings flat water, light wind and the clearest underwater visibility of the year. It is also when the whole country charges its highest rates.

• Season

  Peak festive fortnight

  20 Dec – 10 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The busiest and most expensive stretch of the Maldivian year, with minimum-stay rules and compulsory dinners at most resorts. Book it a year out or move a fortnight either side.

Still on: Whale sharks in South Ari (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually))