Maldives in April: weather, tips and prices

April is one of the most successful months for a holiday in the Maldives. It falls between the dry and wet seasons, so it combines several advantages at once. The sunny weather is still almost as good as in winter, there are slightly fewer tourists, and many hotels begin to lower their prices.

The first half of April is almost no different from March: the ocean stays calm, rain is rare, and conditions for a beach holiday, snorkelling and diving remain almost ideal. In the second half of the month, humidity gradually rises, but short tropical showers usually end quickly and rarely affect the holiday.

We will explain what weather tourists can expect in the Maldives in April, where it is best to stay, how much hotels cost, and what you can do during your holiday.

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Is it worth going to the Maldives in April

If you want to catch almost perfect Maldivian weather and save a little at the same time, April is an excellent choice. For most of the month the islands are sunny, the ocean stays warm and calm, and conditions for a beach holiday, snorkelling and diving are almost as good as in the winter season.

Another advantage of April is the gradual move away from the high season. After the Easter holidays, many resorts launch special offers: they lower prices, offer a free upgrade of the meal plan, or let children stay without an extra charge. Because of this, a holiday can cost noticeably less than in February or March. In the second half of the month, the weather becomes less stable. Short showers sometimes pass, and the humidity rises slightly. However, rainfall most often happens in the evening or at night and rarely prevents you from spending the day on the beach or on excursions.

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Weather in the Maldives in April

April is considered a transitional month between the dry north-east monsoon and the wet south-west monsoon. Despite the gradual change of season, there are still far more sunny days than rainy ones, so mid-spring remains an excellent time for a holiday.

Air temperature

During the day the air temperature usually stays within +30 to +32 °C, and at night it rarely drops below +27 to +29 °C. Because of the equatorial climate, there are practically no sharp temperature changes in the Maldives.

Water temperature

In April the Indian Ocean warms up to +30 to +31 °C. This is one of the highest figures of the whole year. The water is so warm that you can stay in it for several hours in a row without discomfort.

Rain in April

The first half of April usually almost does not differ from March: rain is rare, and the sun shines through most of the day. Closer to May, the chance of rain gradually increases, but showers are usually short. Most often they happen in the evening or at night, after which the weather quickly returns to its usual sunny state.

Humidity and wind

As the wet season approaches, the air becomes slightly more humid, but the sea breeze helps make the heat easier to tolerate. During most of April the ocean stays calm, although closer to the end of the month the wind may strengthen, reminding you that the rainy season is approaching.

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Where it is best to stay in the Maldives in April: atolls and hotels

As half of the month brings sunny weather and a calm ocean, when choosing a resort it is worth focusing not so much on the climate as on the activities. Lovers of snorkelling will enjoy islands with house reefs, diving fans will prefer atolls with rich underwater life, and those who dream of a calm holiday should look at resorts with spacious lagoons and wide beaches.

North and South Malé Atolls

This is the most popular region of the Maldives, with comfortable weather and the most convenient transfers from the airport. Within an hour or an hour and a half after landing you can already be on a white beach. Many restaurants, diving centres, spa complexes and water activities are concentrated here.

Recommended hotels:

• Niva Kurumba Maldives - the first resort in the Maldives with a large green area, several restaurants and excellent conditions for a family holiday.
• OBLU SELECT Lobigili - a modern adults only resort with an All Inclusive system, a beautiful lagoon and a romantic atmosphere.
• Anantara Veli Maldives - an elegant resort with spacious overwater villas, a spa centre and a high level of service.
• Meeru Maldives Resort Island - one of the largest island resorts, with wide beaches, varied restaurants and activities for the whole family.

OBLU SELECT Lobigili

Ari Atoll

Ari is considered one of the best places in the Maldives for diving and snorkelling. People come here to see whale sharks, sea turtles, reef sharks and hundreds of species of tropical fish. If the main purpose of your holiday is the underwater world, this atoll will be an excellent choice.

Recommended hotels:

• Nova Maldives - a cosy boutique resort with a beautiful house reef and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa - a popular resort with one of the best house reefs on the atoll and excellent conditions for snorkelling.
• Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives - a resort with a spacious lagoon, an All Inclusive system and its own diving centre.
• Lily Beach Resort & Spa - a premium resort with the Platinum Plan concept, luxurious villas and a magnificent house reef.

Nova Maldives

Baa Atoll

Baa is the only UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Maldives. It is chosen for its rich marine life, picturesque coral reefs and calm atmosphere. In the second half of April, the first manta rays begin to appear here, although the peak season comes in summer. Baa resorts are very popular because of the untouched Maldivian nature.

Recommended hotels:

• Avani+ Fares Maldives - a modern five-star resort with a large choice of restaurants, a kids' club and activities for the whole family.
• The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort - a stylish resort with spacious villas, a house reef and a modern spa centre.
• Milaidhoo Island - an intimate luxury boutique resort that is ideal for a romantic holiday.
• Royal Island Resort & Spa - a green island with spacious beaches, a beautiful lagoon and excellent opportunities for snorkelling.

Avani+ Fares Maldives

Prices for a holiday in the Maldives in April

April is considered one of the best months for those who want to save a little without sacrificing the quality of the holiday. If the first half of the month still passes in the atmosphere of the high season, then after the Easter holidays many resorts begin to switch to summer rates. During this period the cost of accommodation can fall by 20 to 40% compared with February or March.

In addition to discounts, hotels often offer pleasant bonuses: a free upgrade of the room or meal plan, special conditions for honeymooners, and promotions in which children stay free.

How much guesthouses cost

In the second half of April, holidays on local islands become noticeably more affordable. The cost of a double room in a good guesthouse starts from 35 to 40 dollars per night including taxes.

If you are not aiming for luxurious overwater villas and want to spend more time on excursions, diving or snorkelling, local islands will be an excellent option.

Prices for four-star resorts

In the second half of April, many four-star resorts offer noticeably more attractive prices than in winter. This is a good opportunity to stay on a resort island without overpaying for the high season. The approximate cost of accommodation starts from 200 dollars per night for two people.

For example:

• Canareef Resort Maldives - from 300 dollars per night for two on an All Inclusive basis.
• Innahura Maldives Resort - from 260 dollars, a cosy resort with beautiful beaches, a calm atmosphere and affordable prices.
• Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon - from 330 dollars, an excellent choice for snorkelling lovers thanks to one of the best house reefs in the Maldives.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

Cost of five-star resorts

In the second half of April, interesting offers also appear in five-star resorts. If you have long dreamed of staying in a luxurious villa with your own pool, you can find good rates with early booking.

For example:

• Kandima Maldives - a beach villa with a pool on an All Inclusive basis from 1000 dollars per night for two.
• JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa - spacious villas with private pools and premium service from 1800 dollars per night.
• JOALI Maldives - a designer wellness resort with exclusive villas and personal service from 2200 dollars per night.
• Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi - one of the most luxurious resorts of the archipelago, with fine dining restaurants and premium villas from 3000 dollars per night.

Prices are approximate and depend on dates, villa category, meal plan, taxes and special hotel offers.

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

What to do in the Maldives in April

The warm ocean and the long daylight hours allow you to spend almost the whole day outdoors. In April it is equally pleasant to explore the underwater world, go on sea trips or try new water activities.

Snorkelling and diving

April remains one of the best months to discover the underwater world of the Maldives. The water temperature reaches +30 to +31 °C, and visibility often reaches 20 to 35 metres. On the house reefs you can meet sea turtles, moray eels, reef sharks, eagle rays and hundreds of species of bright tropical fish.

If you dream of seeing a whale shark, it is worth heading to South Ari Atoll. In the second half of April, the first manta rays already begin to appear around Baa Atoll, although their highest numbers are seen in summer.

Sea excursions

The calm ocean makes April an excellent time for trips between islands. At this time the following are especially popular:

• dolphin cruises on a traditional dhoni boat;
• trips to uninhabited islands;
• relaxing on sandbanks;
• snorkelling tours to coral reefs;
• romantic sunset cruises.

Even longer sea excursions are comfortable thanks to the slight swell.

Water sports

In the mornings the lagoons usually stay calm, so this is a great time for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and pedal boats. After lunch, the wind becomes a little stronger, creating good conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Most resorts offer equipment rental as well as lessons with instructors for beginners.

Night fishing

Another tradition worth trying in the Maldives is evening fishing in the open ocean. After sunset, tourists head out to sea on a wooden dhoni boat, and in many hotels the caught fish can be grilled and served for dinner.

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Pros and cons of a holiday in the Maldives in April

April stands on the border of two seasons, so it combines the advantages of the high season with more attractive prices.

Pros:

• sunny weather and a warm ocean of +30 to +31 °C;
• the first half of the month is almost no different from February and March;
• excellent conditions for a beach holiday, snorkelling and diving;
• in the second half of April many resorts offer discounts and special promotions;
• more villas available compared with the high season;
• a good choice for a family holiday and a romantic trip.

Cons:

• the weather is already less stable than in winter;
• closer to May the probability of short tropical showers gradually increases;
• air humidity becomes higher;
• during the Easter holidays, accommodation prices may temporarily rise.

April is an excellent compromise between the high and low seasons. During most of the month, sunny weather remains in the Maldives, the ocean stays warm and calm, and the amount of rain is still low.

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