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Embracing Maldives rainy season
Lying close to the equator and within the doldrums, the Maldives rarely experiences any severe weather events. However, the world famous holiday destination has two distinct monsoons (seasons) a year that shape the prevailing weather patterns. The monsoons which dictate the weather in the archipelago are characterised not by heavy rain, as is often assumed, but by their winds, which blow consistently and reverse their direction seasonally.
The South-West Monsoon, or Hulhangu as it is called in local Dhivehi language, runs from May to October, while the North-East Monsoon, or in the local language Iruvai, runs from December to March each year, with the months of November and April acting as transitional periods of change in between.
Don’t forget; almost every resort in the Maldives has a special summer offer with hefty discounts and a host of other complimentary benefits too.
Beware the rough sea!
After a hotter than average North-East Monsoon, Maldivians are relieved to have a bit of rain. But with the welcome change in temperature comes challenges; heavy showers, rough seas and strong winds. In the South-West Monsoon, the Maldives weather becomes very versatile and can change in a few minutes. Skies become dark, strong rains can follow a beautiful sunny morning and wind gusts can reach up to 50 Knts (approximately 90 km per h) for hours.
These dark, rainy and very windy periods can be very short, but they can also continue for a few days and be immediately replaced by idyllic weather conditions.
This year as well, the Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) has warned that heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas will continue in north and central Maldives for the most part of the monsoon period. Winds in north and central Maldives are expected to reach 15 to 25 miles per hour, while wind speeds in other areas are projected to be eight to 18 miles per hour.
Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM), which represents the boating industry of the Maldives, has also cautioned over the bad weather conditions prevailing across the country, urging liveaboard operators and other transport service providers to avoid sailing or travelling in the night. The association urged boat operators to keep an eye on local weather forecasts before and even during the journey, recheck all safety equipment and have communication devices on hand.
A ferry boat braves rough seas as it travels to capital Male from the satellite town of Hulhumale. PHOTO/ MIHAARU
Diving: choose the western side
You must have heard that the best time to visit the Maldives is during the North-Eat Monsoon, when the weather is dry with clear skies and calm seas. But if you are planning to visit the Maldives for a summer getaway, go ahead and book your holiday. Even during the South-West Monsoon, the Maldives rarely experiences extreme weather conditions.
Diving in the Maldives is generally good all year round, but underwater visibility, water temperatures and marine life changes depending on the season. During the rainy season (May t0 October), the western side of an atoll is better for scuba diving. Make sure you select your resort accommodation accordingly.
If the prevailing wind is coming from south-west and your resort is on the south-western side of the atoll, you will experience the worst of it or best of it depending on what you want. Villas located over the water can actually shudder when the wind and waves are strong. So it may pay to try to get a room on the eastern side of the island, but then you give up the sunset view. Storms are not common.
For diving, this is not necessarily a bad thing. While the weather can be bad and the winds strong, the wind is also creating the current to a certain extent. While it is impossible to dive the outside channels when the wind is very strong, the days after can be exhilarating or terrifying to some.
Diving at the western side of the atoll during the South-West Monsoon, you will experience predominantly incoming currents. This means the water is rising from the deep ocean and flowing into the shallow atoll. Visibility is generally better, water slightly cooler with better chances to see pelagic. Visibility can be 50 metres on a sunny calm day with a good incoming current.
When rain clouds have cleared, you get to see one of the most stunning sunsets you will ever experience in Maldives. PHOTO/ GURAIDHOO INN
Get up close with manta rays
From June to October, you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with majestic manta rays. During this time of the year, a combination of South-West Monsoon currents and lunar tides bring large quantities of planktonic shrimp (mantas’ favourite food) to various sites around resorts across the country, attracting large numbers of manta rays.
Several resorts have already announced special manta packages, including the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa atoll and Olhuveli Beach and Spa Maldives in South Male Atoll.
Manta rays with wing-like pectoral fins that stretch to a length of 13 to 15 feet (4 to 4.5 metres) move gracefully through the water while feeding with their enormous mouths. Having one of the largest comparable brain sizes of any marine animal makes them highly curious, resulting in some very close snorkelling encounters.
A manta ray glides over a reef in a Maldives resort. PHOTO/ OLHUVELI BEACH AND SPA MALDIVES
Swim with whale sharks
Over the years, the Maldives has maintained its position as one of the few destinations in the world for whale shark sightings.
Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, are year round residents of the Maldives, tending to favour the western side of the Indian Ocean archipelago from May to December, then heading to the east until April.
There are two main whale shark sighting spots in the nation. The first is the well-known UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Hanifaru Bay in Baa atoll, while the second is the marine protected area off the coast of Maamigili island in Alif Dhaal atoll, also known as South Ari atoll. The latter in particular is considered a special zone as whale shark sightings take place all year round, unlike Hanifaru Bay where sightings occur in the southwest monsoon.
A whale shark swims across the waters of Baa atoll. PHOTO/ FOUR SEASONS MALDIVES
Sightings of whale sharks have sparked a distinct brand of tourism, luring countless tourists that make brief sojourns to the island nation solely for the pleasure of sighting these majestic creatures. Several resorts and guesthouses in South Ari Atoll and Baa atoll organise expert-led excursions that allow guests to dive and snorkel with these creatures.
Don’t forget; almost every resort in the Maldives has a special summer offer with hefty discounts and a host of other complimentary benefits too. So you have every reason to take some time off and visit the paradise islands during this season as well. And when the rain clouds have cleared, you get to see one of the most stunning sunsets you will ever experience in the Maldives if not in your lifetime!
One of the Maldives’ most anticipated marine spectacles has arrived – manta ray season is returning to Lhaviyani Atoll. As plankton-rich waters attract these gentle giants, the atoll transforms into a haven for unforgettable underwater encounters. Graceful, curious and inspiring, manta rays can often be spotted gliding effortlessly through the turquoise waters, creating magical moments for both snorkelers and divers.
Whether you’re taking your first plunge beneath the surface or you’re a seasoned ocean explorer, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of swimming alongside these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Think vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life and crystal-clear lagoons. Manta ray season offers an unforgettable experience that captures the true wonder of the Maldives.
One of Lhaviyani Atoll’s most renowned manta ray sites is Fushifaru Thila, located just three minutes by boat from Fushifaru Maldives. This protected dive site is home to a natural manta cleaning station, where cleaner wrasse and other small reef fish remove parasites and dead skin from the mantas. Watching these gentle giants gracefully circle the cleaning station as they pause for their underwater “spa treatment” is a truly remarkable sight and one of the highlights of diving in the Maldives.
Whether you’re snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay, diving next to a cleaning station, or photographing a manta ray from a liveaboard, your holiday memories could help protect one of the world’s most iconic marine animals.
The Manta Trust and its flagship affiliate project, the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP), are inviting divers, snorkellers, underwater photographers, resorts and liveaboards across the Maldives to become citizen scientists through MantaBase – a global platform that transforms everyday manta ray encounters into valuable scientific data.
For more than two decades, the MMCP has built one of the world’s most comprehensive manta ray photo-identification databases. With more than 100,000 photographed sightings and over 7,000 individually identified manta rays, the Maldives database has become one of the most important long-term marine wildlife datasets anywhere on Earth.
Now, that remarkable resource is available through MantaBase, allowing anyone visiting the Maldives to contribute directly to ongoing conservation research.
Every manta ray has a unique pattern of spots on its belly – much like a human fingerprint. By uploading a photograph of this pattern, MantaBase’s AI-powered identification system, IDtheManta, can recognise individual animals, revealing whether they have been seen before and adding another chapter to their life story.
Each submission helps researchers better understand where manta rays travel, how populations change over time, which habitats they rely upon, and how they respond to growing environmental pressures.
“Every photograph tells us something new,” says Dr Guy Stevens, CEO and Co-Founder of the Manta Trust. “The Maldives has become one of the most important places in the world for manta ray research because thousands of divers, guides, photographers and resorts have shared their sightings over many years. MantaBase allows anyone to become part of that conservation story.”
“MantaBase is more than a database – it’s a community of ocean enthusiasts whose sightings, memberships and support are helping safeguard manta and devil rays for generations to come.”
The MMCP has spent twenty years working alongside resorts, dive centres, liveaboards and local communities to study manta rays throughout the archipelago. Their long-term research has identified key aggregation sites, improved understanding of manta behaviour and migration, and helped inform the protection of some of the Maldives’ most important marine habitats.
MantaBase now makes it easier than ever for that collaboration to continue.
Divers and snorkellers can create a free MantaBase account to upload sightings, discover the identities of the manta rays they’ve encountered, and build a personal digital logbook of their wildlife experiences. For those wanting to dive deeper into the lives of the manta rays they meet, Premium Membership unlocks additional tools and insights while directly supporting the Manta Trust’s global research, technology and conservation work.
For dive centres, resorts and liveaboards, dedicated Operator Accounts provide an opportunity to showcase their conservation contributions while engaging guests in meaningful citizen science. Operators can track sightings linked to their organisation, celebrate their impact, receive official recognition through the MantaBase support programme, and demonstrate their commitment to protecting the species that make the Maldives one of the world’s premier manta ray destinations.
Every MantaBase membership helps fund the continued development of the platform and supports the Manta Trust’s work to research and protect manta and devil rays around the world. By becoming a Premium Member or joining as an Operator, users not only gain access to exclusive features, but also help power the science and conservation initiatives that make MantaBase possible.
The launch represents another milestone towards creating the world’s largest connected database for manta and devil rays, bringing together regional conservation projects from across the globe to support international research and protection.
Whether you’re visiting the Maldives for your very first manta encounter or have spent decades diving these waters, every sighting helps strengthen our understanding of these extraordinary animals. Whether you choose a free or Premium account, every photograph you submit helps build a better future for manta and devil rays.
Together, one photograph at a time, help secure a future for manta rays.
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa invites padel aficionados and active travellers to trade the city court for an extraordinary island escape with The Maldives Padel Retreat, from 13 to 23 December 2026. Led by former World No. 1, Juani Mieres, the retreat invites guests to refine their game with a legend of the sport while embracing the pleasures of island life.
The 10-day retreat brings together expert coaching on a state-of-the-art padel court overlooking the turquoise lagoon, island discovery and a curated programme of wellness, recreation and exploration.
Widely regarded as one of the sport’s most respected figures, Juani Mieres reached World No. 1 and won multiple World Championship and World Padel Tour titles. Known as “The Gentleman of Padel” for his elegant playing style and precision, Juani will open up his playbook, giving guests an insider’s look at the techniques, tactics and secrets behind the game at its highest level. Daily small-group clinics, personalised coaching, match play and friendly competition give players the chance to refine their skills while embracing the social spirit that makes padel such a unique and engaging sport.
Designed for players seeking to elevate their game, padel enthusiasts eager to connect through a shared passion, and travellers drawn to an active escape with a sense of adventure, the retreat extends well beyond the court. The programme brings together wellness and relaxation, with sunset yoga rituals, guided stretching and recovery sessions creating a rhythm that moves naturally between energy and the serenity of island life.
“I am delighted to return to Le Méridien Maldives to host a Padel Retreat. Padel has grown at an incredible pace around the world over the past few years, bringing together a global community of players and enthusiasts. I experienced the resort in 2025, and its beautiful island offers a unique backdrop for the sport. I am excited to welcome players from around the world and share my passion for the game in such an inspiring destination,” said Juani Mieres.
Beyond the court, a different kind of adventure awaits. Guests can explore the vibrant housereef and encounter marine life in its natural habitat, glide across turquoise lagoons by kayak and paddleboard, or discover the art of hydroponic farming at one of the Maldives’ largest greenhouses. Five restaurants and bars offer a journey of flavours, from Japanese teppanyaki at Tabemasu to Mediterranean-inspired dining at Riviera, while La Vie, the adults-only bar, offers a relaxed atmosphere for sunset drinks and live music. Days unfold with endless summer moments at Au Soleil pool parties or a private beach picnic by the sea, while evenings invite guests to explore the Maldivian sky alongside the resident astronomer.
For younger guests and families travelling together, the Family Kids Hub offers a world of its own, with creative activities and experiences designed for curious little explorers. From culinary workshops and arts and crafts to marine conservation, children can follow their curiosity and make the most of island life while parents take to the court.
“At Le Méridien Maldives, we strive to create experiences that invite guests to engage, connect and discover. The Padel Retreat brings the spirit of the sport together with the pleasures of island life: a shared passion for padel, learning from an icon of the game and savouring the good life, from the court and the ocean to wellness, gastronomy and adventure,” said Thomas Schult, General Manager of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa.
Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll on the natural island of Thilamaafushi, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is a 360-degree chic, eco-conscious island escape surrounded by a pristine lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The resort’s collection of overwater and beach villas, alongside two-bedroom villas ideal for families and groups of friends, offers an idyllic hideaway to indulge in island life, explore the surrounding waters and immerse in the beauty of the Maldives.
The Maldives Padel Retreat with Juani Mieres will take place from 13 to 23 December 2026. The retreat package includes:
- 10-night stay in an Overwater Villa
- Return seaplane transfers
- Full Board dining
- Padel Retreat programme with Juani Mieres
- One 60-minute massage per guest
- Complimentary yoga sessions, guided stretching and recovery sessions
- Complimentary daily watersports, including kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling
- 24/7 access to Waves Fitness Centre
- A collection of complimentary wellness and recreational activities
For more information or to book, please visit lemeridien-maldives.com or contact reservations.maldives@lemeridien.com.
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