Maldives in May: weather, monsoon, Eid and what to expect

May is the start of the southwest monsoon, known locally as *hulhangu*. The Maldives Meteorological Service says the wet season normally runs from mid-May to November. Before it arrives, early May is usually hot, humid and often sunny, carrying on from April.

How the monsoon “starts”

The monsoon does not switch on everywhere on the same day. The Met Service declares the onset when the weather meets set conditions. As reported in national news, it looks at stations in the southern atolls after 1 May. Most of them need to record at least 2.5 mm of rain a day and west to south-westerly winds above 10 knots, with both lasting at least two days in a row.

The change then moves north. In recent years, as reported:

• 2024: southern atolls 9 May, central 14 May, northern 17 May.
• 2025: southern atolls 7 May, central 12 May, northern 21 May.
• 2026: southern atolls 8 May.

So around Malé and Dhiffushi, in the central atolls, it has usually set in by the second or third week of May. The 2027 date can’t be known in advance.

What to expect day to day

• Rain: more frequent, and sometimes heavy. The Met Service notes that rain usually falls as showers with sunny spells between, rather than all day. A wet morning can turn into a bright afternoon.
• Sunshine: outside January to March, the Met Service gives about 7 to 9 hours of sunshine a day. Expect more cloud than in the dry season.
• Heat: still hot, with air temperatures around 30 to 31°C. The sea stays warm, around 28 to 29°C.
• Wind: the breeze swings to the south-west and west and picks up. Weather advisories for strong wind and rough seas are common when the monsoon begins, so a few stormy days around the onset are normal.

The sea is the biggest change. Calm, glassy days become less frequent, swell rolls in from the southern Indian Ocean and open channels can be choppy.

• Boat trips: speedboat crossings can be bumpy, and excursions, ferries and small boats are sometimes delayed or cancelled on rough days. Keep your plans flexible.
• Visibility: often still good, but it can drop on windy, rainy days and where plankton blooms.
• Sheltered spots: inside the lagoons and on the sheltered side of an island, snorkelling is often still fine when the outer reef is too rough.

Mantas move east

Research by the Manta Trust shows that manta rays follow the plankton, and the plankton follows the monsoon. In the southwest monsoon, from about May to November, mantas tend to feed on the eastern sides of the atolls. May is the start of that season rather than its peak. Our marine life guide explains where and when to look, and how to swim with mantas responsibly.

Labour Day, 1 May

Labour Day is a fixed public holiday. In 2027 it falls on a Saturday, which is already part of the Maldivian weekend (Friday and Saturday), so you may barely notice it.

Hajj Day and Eid al-Adha

Based on astronomical estimates, Hajj Day (the Day of Arafat) is expected around 15 or 16 May 2027, with Eid al-Adha around 16 or 17 May. The exact dates depend on the moon sighting and are confirmed only shortly before. Many Maldivians fast on Hajj Day.

Eid al-Adha is usually the longest break of the year, and the government sometimes declares extra days. In 2026, for example, it gave a full week off, from 24 to 30 May (as reported). For visitors, that means:

• Government offices are closed, and banks close or open only for limited hours. Before the long 2026 break, the Maldives Monetary Authority told people to get cash ready in advance. Carry enough rufiyaa for the holiday.
• Boats get busy. Many Maldivians travel home to their islands, so book speedboat transfers early and confirm them a day before.
• Guesthouses stay open, and most trips still run.
• There is a lot to see: Eid prayers, families visiting in new clothes, games and boduberu drumming.

See our festivals and public holidays guide for the full calendar.

May is one of the quietest months for arrivals. Official figures show the Maldives is busiest from December to March, and the best time to visit Dhiffushi guide notes that May and June are among the quietest months of the year.

• Good value: many guesthouses lower their rates once the peak season ends. May is often one of the most affordable months, though rates vary by island and are never guaranteed.
• Fewer people: beaches and snorkel spots feel emptier, and rooms are easier to find.
• The exception: the Eid break. Boats and some islands get busier with Maldivian families, so book early if your dates overlap.

Taxes such as the 17% Tourism GST and green tax are added to room rates.

• Surfing: the southwest swell builds through May, opening the main surf season. It is usually less consistent than June to August, with smaller, quieter waves. See surfing in the Maldives.
• Mantas: the eastern sides of the atolls start to become the place to look. Sightings are never guaranteed.
• Snorkelling: choose calm mornings and sheltered lagoons. Read snorkelling in the Maldives for safety tips.
• Diving: it goes on all year, but currents and surface conditions can be stronger.

Dhiffushi sits on the eastern rim of North Malé Atoll, about 37 km north-east of Malé. That is the side of the atoll where, following the Manta Trust’s research, mantas tend to feed in the southwest monsoon, so May is when it becomes worth asking on the island about manta trips. Sunset dolphin cruises and turtle snorkelling run all year, weather allowing. See Dhiffushi excursions.

The shared speedboat from Malé or the airport usually takes 40 to 50 minutes. Once the monsoon arrives it can be bumpy, and boats may be delayed in rough weather. The public ferry does not run on Fridays. Our how to get to Dhiffushi guide has the details. Over Eid, book early; it is one of the liveliest times on the island.

Local island norms apply all year: no alcohol, and swimwear on the bikini beach only.

• A light rain jacket or compact umbrella for showers, plus a dry bag for boat trips.
• Light clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the village.
• Reef-safe sun cream and a hat: the sun is strong between the showers.
• Travel sickness tablets if you get seasick, as crossings can be choppy.
• Some rufiyaa in cash, especially if your stay overlaps with the Eid holiday.

Our packing list covers the rest.

April is drier, calmer and the end of the high season: see the Maldives in April. To compare all twelve months, read the best time to visit the Maldives.