Maldives in February: weather, water temperature, prices and is it worth going

February is one of the best months for a holiday in the Maldives. This is exactly the time when the archipelago welcomes travelers with cloudless skies, a warm ocean and calm weather. The second month of winter is considered the driest and sunniest of the year, so the islands look exactly like in promotional photos: white beaches, clear lagoons and the endless turquoise surface of the Indian Ocean.

Many travelers choose February for a honeymoon, celebrating Valentine’s Day or their first trip to the Maldives. If you dream of windless weather, a calm sea and bright sun, February will become one of the most successful months for a trip to the islands.

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Is it worth going to the Maldives in February

February is rightly considered the peak of the dry season in the Maldives. During this period the probability of long rains is minimal, the ocean remains calm, and the air and water temperature hardly changes throughout the month.

February in the Maldives means:

• the driest month of the year;
• air temperature around +29...+30 °C;
• warm water +28...+29 °C;
• excellent conditions for snorkeling and diving;
• a calm ocean and almost complete absence of waves;
• a long sunny day.

The main disadvantage of February is high demand for holidays. Because of Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year, the best resorts fill up quickly and accommodation prices rise. That is why it is advisable to book the trip in advance.

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Weather in the Maldives in February

February is considered the most stable month in terms of weather. The north-east monsoon "Iruvai" continues to dominate over the archipelago and brings sunny days and lower air humidity.

Air temperature

During the day the air temperature stays steadily within +28...+30 °C. Despite the bright equatorial sun, the heat is quite easy to tolerate thanks to the cool north-east wind. In February the relative humidity usually stays around 60-70%, which is noticeably lower compared with the summer months. At night the temperature rarely falls below +25...+26 °C, so the evenings remain warm and are perfect for walks on the beach or romantic dinners under the open sky.

Rainfall

February is the driest month of the year in the Maldives. The average monthly rainfall is about 50-60 mm, and there are usually no more than five or six rainy days in the whole month.

Even if rain begins, it rarely lasts longer than half an hour. As a rule, it is a warm tropical shower in the second half of the day, after which the sun quickly returns and the beaches dry almost instantly.

Water temperature and beach holiday

If we talk only about a beach holiday, February can be called one of the best months in the Maldives. The water temperature stays at +28...+29 °C, so the ocean feels amazingly warm at any time of day.

The main advantage of February is that the ocean most often remains very calm. In many lagoons the surface of the water looks like a mirror, and small waves appear only beyond the protective reefs. Water clarity reaches 30-40 meters. This is the perfect time for snorkeling, diving and underwater photography. Even during ordinary swimming with a mask, you can clearly see coral gardens, colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, rays and other reef inhabitants.

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Where it is better to relax in the Maldives in February

Although excellent weather holds across almost the entire archipelago in February, small climatic differences between the atolls still exist. They mainly concern wind strength, air humidity and the probability of short-term cloudiness.

North and South Male Atolls

North and South Male are the most popular tourist region of the Maldives. This is where Velana International Airport, dozens of luxury resorts and famous local islands are located, so most travelers begin their acquaintance with the archipelago from this part of the country.

In February the weather here becomes almost ideal for a beach holiday. The air temperature stays around +30 °C, the ocean remains calm, and short rainfall happens very rarely. Thanks to the proximity to the airport, many resorts are accessible by speedboat, which allows you to significantly reduce transfer costs.

On the local islands Maafushi and Thulusdhoo you can combine a beach holiday with excursions and get to know the life of local residents.

Popular hotels:

• Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
• Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
• Oblu Select Lobigili

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

Haa Alif Atoll

If you dream of the sunniest possible weather, it is worth paying attention to the northern Haa Alif Atoll. In February this region is considered one of the least windy and driest in the Maldives. Spacious lagoons, wide beaches and excellent water clarity make it a perfect choice for a calm holiday, snorkeling and diving.

Popular resort:

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Southern atolls

The southern atolls, including Addu, are located closer to the equator. Here the air temperature can be slightly higher than in the north of the archipelago, but together with this the air humidity and the probability of light cloudiness increase a little.

These features almost do not affect the quality of the holiday. On the contrary, many travelers choose the south of the Maldives precisely because of the calm atmosphere, spacious beaches and a smaller number of holidaymakers. Another interesting feature of the region is that in February you can meet large pods of dolphins near some southern atolls, so sea trips are especially impressive.

Popular hotel:

Canareef Resort Maldives

Canareef Resort Maldives

Prices in the Maldives in February

February remains one of the most expensive months for a holiday in the Maldives. High demand is connected with several events at once - Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year, which often falls in February. During this period the best resorts, especially romantic water villas, are sold out long before the season begins. If you are planning a holiday in February, it is advisable to book accommodation at least 3-4 months in advance.

Cost of a holiday on local islands

The most affordable option remains guesthouses on local islands. With early booking, the cost of a room for two starts at about 50 dollars per night including taxes. Closer to February the number of available options becomes much smaller.

Cost of staying in luxury resorts

The cost of a villa in luxury five-star hotels in February, such as Cheval Blanc Randheli or Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, starts at about 400 dollars per night and in high season can exceed 2500 dollars, especially if it is a water villa with a pool and personal service.

Cheval Blanc Randheli

What to do in the Maldives in February

A calm ocean, long sunny days and excellent water clarity create ideal conditions for almost all activities - from snorkeling and diving to sea cruises and fishing.

Snorkeling and diving

February is considered one of the best months for getting to know the underwater world of the Maldives.

Thanks to the dry season and the almost complete absence of waves, underwater visibility reaches 30-40 meters. Even during ordinary snorkeling you can see coral gardens, colorful tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and harmless reef sharks.

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Sea trips and dolphin watching

Another popular activity is a cruise on a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat.

During the trip you can meet dolphins, which often accompany the boats and jump out of the water very close to travelers. Such excursions are especially beautiful at sunset, when the sun paints the ocean in golden and pink shades. Many resorts offer to combine the trip with a romantic dinner or a picnic on a sandbank.

Deep-sea fishing

At the end of February the prestigious Big Game Fishing Competition traditionally takes place in the Maldives and is dedicated to deep-sea fishing. Even if you do not take part in the tournament, most resorts organize similar excursions. On modern boats with echo sounders and navigation equipment, you can go in search of yellowfin tuna, barracuda, sailfish or the famous blue marlin.

Whale Submarine

If you do not dive or do not feel very confident in the water, you can get acquainted with the underwater world in another way. In the capital Male there is the tourist submarine Whale Submarine, which descends to about 30 meters. Through panoramic portholes passengers observe reefs, tropical fish, rays and other marine inhabitants. Thanks to the high water clarity, February is considered one of the best months for such an excursion.

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Holidays and cultural events in February

February is not only one of the sunniest months in the Maldives, but also a time of bright festive events. It is during this period that many resorts prepare special programs, romantic dinners and themed entertainment for guests.

Chinese New Year. Since travelers from China and other Asian countries traditionally choose the Maldives for winter holidays, many resorts celebrate Chinese New Year. Depending on the date of the holiday, the islands are decorated with red lanterns, traditional dances and themed Asian cuisine dinners are held.

Valentine’s Day. On February 14 the Maldives turns into one of the most romantic places on the planet. Almost every resort prepares special offers for couples: candlelit dinners right on the beach, romantic picnics on sandbanks, sunset cruises, couples spa treatments and decoration of water villas with flowers. That is why February is considered one of the best months for a wedding trip or honeymoon.

Pros and cons of a holiday in the Maldives in February

February is rightly considered one of the best months for a holiday in the archipelago. Still, before booking the trip it is worth considering not only the advantages but also the features of the high season.

Main advantages of February:

• the driest month of the year;
• the ideal balance of air and water temperatures;
• a calm ocean and almost complete absence of waves;
• clear lagoons and ideal conditions for snorkeling and diving;
• a large number of sea excursions and romantic programs.

Possible disadvantages:

• one of the most expensive months for a holiday;
• high demand for the best resorts;
• during Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year prices may be higher.

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