Maldives in May: is it worth going, weather, prices and holidays

The Maldives are often called islands of eternal summer. The archipelago lies almost on the equator, so high air temperatures and a warm ocean remain here all year round. However, the climate on the islands changes depending on the season. May is considered the beginning of the wet period, when the chance of rain increases, the wind gets stronger, and the ocean becomes less calm. During this period there are noticeably fewer tourists, and many resorts offer substantial discounts on accommodation. If you are ready for short tropical showers and want to spend your holiday on a luxurious island at a better price, May in the Maldives can be an excellent choice.

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Is it worth going to the Maldives in May

May is considered a transition month between the dry and wet seasons. The weather becomes less predictable, but long rains are rare, and there are still enough sunny hours for a comfortable beach holiday. Most often, showers come in the evening, at night, or last no more than half an hour during the day, after which the sun comes out again.

The main advantage of a holiday in May is the prices. The start of the low season makes it possible to book a villa in a good resort much cheaper than in winter. Many hotels offer 30 to 50% discounts, attractive Full Board and All Inclusive deals appear, and the choice of available rooms becomes much larger.

Another plus of May is the start of the surfing season. Stable waves appear on the atolls of North Malé, attracting athletes from all over the world. In addition, the amount of plankton in the ocean gradually increases, and with it the chance of meeting giant manta rays and whale sharks during diving. The wind becomes stronger, because of this snorkeling near the house reef may be less comfortable than in winter, and some sea excursions are sometimes postponed because of weather conditions.

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Weather in the Maldives in May

May officially opens the wet season in the Maldives. At this time the winter north-east monsoon is replaced by the south-west monsoon "Hulhangu", which brings more humid air, periodic tropical showers, thunderstorms, and stronger winds. Despite this, May cannot be called a completely rainy month.

Air and water temperature in the Maldives in May

Even with the arrival of the wet season, the Maldives remain one of the warmest resorts in the Indian Ocean. During the day the air usually warms up to +31 to 32 °C, and at night the temperature rarely drops below +28 to 29 °C. Even after a heavy tropical shower, the air stays warm, so rain is more often perceived as a pleasant way to cool down a little. The water temperature in May is +29 to 30 °C.

Rain in the Maldives in May

The main feature of May is the increase in precipitation. On average, about 12 to 15 days with precipitation are recorded in May, but in most cases these are short tropical showers.

With the start of the wet season the ocean temperature hardly changes. However, weather changes still affect the condition of the ocean. The wind becomes stronger, waves and currents appear more often, and the transparency of the water becomes lower than in the dry season. Therefore, conditions for different kinds of recreation on the water can differ noticeably.

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Where to stay in the Maldives in May: best atolls and hotels

Although the wet season begins almost across the whole archipelago at the same time, weather in the Maldives can differ on different atolls. Because of the great length of the Maldives, it is often the case that it rains on one island, while only a few dozen kilometers away the sun is shining.

When choosing a resort in May, it is worth paying attention not only to the location of the atoll, but also to the features of the island itself. For a holiday at the beginning of the wet season, resorts with spacious lagoons, protected house reefs, and a large choice of entertainment that can be enjoyed even during a short rain are better suited.

North and South Malé atolls

This is the most popular tourist region of the Maldives thanks to its proximity to the international airport and a huge choice of resorts. In May there are usually about 12 rainy days here, the wind periodically gets stronger, however many lagoons remain comfortable for swimming thanks to natural protection by coral reefs.

Suitable for a holiday in May:

• Sun Siyam Olhuveli, a large resort with several islands, spacious lagoons, and a wide choice of restaurants. Thanks to protected beaches, it is comfortable to relax even with slight ocean swell.
• Bandos Maldives, one of the best options for snorkeling lovers thanks to its rich house reef and convenient speedboat transfer.
• OBLU XPErience Ailafushi, a good option for a family holiday on All Inclusive with a large pool and a wide choice of entertainment.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Baa atoll

Baa is included in the list of UNESCO biosphere reserves and is considered one of the best regions for diving and getting to know marine fauna. The manta season gradually begins here already in May, and reaches its peak in June to October.

For a holiday it is worth paying attention to:

• Royal Island Resort & Spa, a cosy resort with a beautiful house reef and a green island.
• Reethi Beach Resort, a popular resort with a good price-quality ratio and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
• Avani+ Fares Maldives, a modern five-star resort with developed infrastructure and a large choice of water activities.

Royal Island Resort & Spa

Addu atoll

The southernmost atoll of the country is often considered one of the most favorable regions for a holiday in May. Here a little less rain often falls than in the northern part of the archipelago, and nature is distinguished by a larger amount of greenery.

Among the good accommodation options:

• Canareef Resort Maldives, a popular 4-star resort with long sandy beaches, spacious villas, and attractive prices in the low season.
• South Palm Resort Maldives, a modern resort with its own house reef and good conditions for a calm holiday.

South Palm Resort Maldives

Prices for a holiday in the Maldives in May

May opens the low tourist season in the Maldives. After the high winter demand, the flow of travelers gradually decreases, so many resorts begin to offer attractive discounts on accommodation. In many resorts the cost of accommodation is up to 30 to 50% lower, sometimes the discount is even higher. In addition, the number of special offers increases: free nights, villa category upgrades, discounts on meals or spa treatments.

How much guesthouses in the Maldives cost in May

The beginning of the low season is especially profitable for a holiday on local islands of the Maldives. Competition between small hotels increases, so travelers get more accommodation options at an attractive price. On average, a room for two in a good guesthouse costs from 35 to 45 dollars per night including taxes.

Prices for four-star resorts

May is a great time to discover 4-star Maldives resorts. It is during this period that many resorts offer the most advantageous rates for Full Board or All Inclusive. The cost of accommodation for two usually starts from 300 to 400 dollars per night, although during seasonal promotions you can find even more attractive offers.

Cost of five-star resorts

For lovers of luxury Maldives resorts, May becomes one of the most attractive months of the year. It is during this period that many premium segment hotels offer prices that are almost impossible to find in winter.

For example, at the popular resort Kandima Maldives the cost of accommodation with full board can start from 400 dollars per night for two, and the All Inclusive package, around 500 dollars.

Kandima Maldives

Which villa to choose in the Maldives in May

If you are planning the Maldives in May, it is worth paying attention to beach villas. Trees create natural protection from the wind, and the beach and ocean can be reached in just a few minutes. For a holiday at the beginning of the wet season, this option often turns out to be more comfortable than a classic water villa in the Maldives, where during wind and waves staying above the lagoon may bring inconvenience.

What to do in the Maldives in May

Despite the changeable weather, the choice of entertainment in the Maldives remains very large. Moreover, it is in May that the season begins for which thousands of surfing lovers come to the islands every year. Even if part of the day passes under tropical rain, most resorts will always have plenty of ways to spend time interestingly.

Snorkeling

Lovers of swimming with a mask should take into account the features of the beginning of the wet season. Because of waves and currents, swimming near the house reef sometimes becomes less comfortable, especially on the outer side of the islands. In addition, the decrease in water transparency can affect impressions of the underwater world. Bright corals and tropical fish still remain clearly visible, but the visibility is no longer as ideal. Snorkeling in the Maldives is better chosen from January to March.

Diving

For divers, May opens a completely different season. Together with the south-west monsoon, the amount of plankton in the ocean increases, attracting large marine inhabitants.

During this period the season of encounters with giant manta rays and whale sharks gradually begins. Baa atoll is especially famous for this, where the famous Hanifaru Bay is located. Mass gatherings of manta rays here are more often observed from mid-summer to autumn, however already in May the chance of meeting these graceful giants gradually starts to rise. In addition, in May the season of observing whale sharks in the South Ari atoll area continues, which is considered one of the best places in the world to meet the largest fish on the planet.

Surfing

May is considered the official start of the surfing season in the Maldives. It lasts roughly until October and attracts athletes from all over the world every year. The most famous surf spots are located on North Malé atoll. Among them, Cokes, Jailbreaks, Sultans and Honky's are especially popular, where waves can be found both for experienced surfers and for those who are only beginning to master this sport.

Sea excursions

If the forecast promises calm weather, it is definitely worth going on one of the sea excursions. Among the most popular entertainments:

• a trip to an uninhabited island;
• rest on a sandbank in the middle of the ocean;
• a sunset cruise with dolphin watching;
• sea fishing;
• a catamaran or yacht trip.

Sometimes, because of strong wind, such excursions can be moved to another day, so during a holiday in May it is better not to leave them until the last day of the trip.

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Pros and cons of a holiday in the Maldives in May

May cannot be called a universal month for a holiday in the Maldives. For some tourists it becomes an opportunity to spend a holiday in a luxurious resort with good savings, while for others the dry winter season will be more suitable. To make it easier to decide, it is worth evaluating the main advantages and disadvantages of the trip in advance.

Pros:

• Substantial hotel discounts. Many resorts lower accommodation prices, offer free nights, villa category upgrades, or advantageous meal packages. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to relax in a five-star resort at a price that in winter would only be available for lower category hotels.
• Fewer tourists. After the end of the high season, the islands become noticeably calmer. There are far fewer holidaymakers on the beaches, in restaurants and pools, and popular excursions take place in a more intimate atmosphere.
• Warm ocean. Despite the beginning of the wet season, the water temperature hardly changes and remains at +29 to +30 °C. You can swim every day, and the water stays comfortable even after rain.
• The start of the surfing season. For lovers of active holidays, May is considered one of the best months of the year. Stable ocean waves begin to form in the Maldives, thanks to which the surfing season opens and continues until October.
• The chance to see manta rays and whale sharks. With the increase in the amount of plankton, the chance of meeting giant manta rays and whale sharks increases. Although the peak season falls in the second half of summer and autumn, already in May the chances of seeing these marine giants become much higher than in winter.

Cons:

• The rainy season begins. Although showers are most often short and happen at night or in the evening, rainy days during the holiday can no longer be completely excluded.
• Windier weather. The south-west monsoon brings a stronger wind, which causes ocean swell. Because of this, the sea does not always remain ideally calm, and some sea excursions may be postponed because of weather conditions.
• Worse conditions for snorkeling. Waves and plankton reduce the transparency of the water, so visibility under water becomes lower compared with the period from January to March. Lovers of ideal snorkeling should take this feature into account when choosing a month for travel.
• Higher air humidity. If you do not tolerate a humid tropical climate well, May may be less comfortable than the winter months.

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