Are the Maldives worth visiting during the rainy season, and how much can rain affect a beach holiday?

For swimming and boat trips, check wind as well as rain: strong winds create rough seas and uncomfortable motion. Showers may alternate with sunshine over several days, although uninterrupted rain for up to a week has also been reported.

One report says that rain persisted through almost all of October last year in the Maldives. For an October trip, leave room for cloudy or wet days rather than scheduling an itinerary entirely around the beach.

Even when forecasts call it the rainy season, rain does not necessarily last all day: during a winter stay in 2022, showers were typically early in the morning, followed by sunshine and temperatures above 30°C.

A recent traveler report notes that the old clear-cut dry and wet seasons are no longer reliable: heavy rain can occur even during New Year trips. Choose dates without expecting guaranteed sunshine throughout the stay.