ERA5 climate grid
Monthly averages describe a broad pattern, not the day you will travel.
Daytime highNighttime low°C
Open-Meteo archive · ERA5 · ERA5 grid near 4.175, 73.509 · 2015–2024 daily averages.
Malé · Maldives
The Maldives in January
Dry-season island days, with transfers shaping the itinerary.
January is in the Maldives' northeast monsoon season, generally the drier half of the year. Pick a local island or resort before booking flights because transfer times, daylight limits and meal plans differ.
- Daytime high
- 28°ERA5 Malé-grid average high
- Nighttime
- 26°ERA5 Malé-grid average low
- Wet days
- 9≥1 mm / day
- Relative budget
- Higher cost
- January timing
- Northeast monsoon seasonConfirm boat or seaplane transfer times before choosing flight arrivals.
Weather: Open-Meteo archive · ERA5 · ERA5 grid near 4.175, 73.509 · 2015–2024 daily averages. Not a forecast. See the annual view
January in context
The weather & the season
See where January sits, then plan for your exact week.
28°January high
Travel seasons
January in the year
Seasonal travel guidance, not measured visitor counts.
JanNortheast monsoon
FebNortheast monsoon
MarNortheast monsoon
AprTransition
MaySouthwest monsoon begins
JunSouthwest monsoon
JulSouthwest monsoon
AugSouthwest monsoon
SepSouthwest monsoon
OctSouthwest monsoon
NovSouthwest monsoon
DecTransition
Maldives Meteorological Service · climate
The Maldives Meteorological Service describes January–March as the northeast dry monsoon, mid-May–November as the southwest wet monsoon, and December and April as transitions. Regional and yearly conditions vary. This is seasonal guidance, not visitor or occupancy data.
Read the seasonal climate as a pattern
The Maldives Meteorological Service provides climate information; local showers remain possible in every month.
Maldives Meteorological Service · climateConfirm transfer before flights
Visit Maldives explains transfer options; ask the resort for its arrival cutoff, cost and whether a late flight needs an overnight in Malé.
Visit Maldives · travel informationMonthly figures & what they measure
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28° | 26° | 9.2 |
| Feb | 28° | 27° | 8.3 |
| Mar | 29° | 27° | 9.5 |
| Apr | 29° | 27° | 13.7 |
| May | 29° | 27° | 24.6 |
| Jun | 29° | 27° | 15.3 |
| Jul | 28° | 27° | 16.5 |
| Aug | 28° | 27° | 15.3 |
| Sep | 28° | 26° | 18 |
| Oct | 28° | 26° | 20.6 |
| Nov | 28° | 26° | 22 |
| Dec | 28° | 26° | 17.7 |
Daily maximum and minimum air temperatures are averaged by calendar month across 2015–2024. Wet days count daily precipitation totals of at least 1 mm, then average the monthly count across the ten years. Open-Meteo serves ERA5 on a roughly 0.25° grid; its returned grid point can differ slightly from the requested coordinates. These are model reanalysis averages, not a local station normal or forecast. The Maldives Meteorological Service describes January–March as the northeast dry monsoon, mid-May–November as the southwest wet monsoon, and December and April as transitions. Regional and yearly conditions vary. This is seasonal guidance, not visitor or occupancy data.
Towns, neighbourhoods & resort areas
The Maldives area guide
Choose an area first, then compare its hotels.
Malé is a working capital, Maafushi is an inhabited local island with guesthouses, and resort islands are private properties with their own transfer and meal arrangements.
The Maldives at a glanceChoose a numbered place
Representative area centres, not hotel entrances. Coastlines are generalized and do not show streets or routes.
Natural Earth · public-domain coastline
A short city stop or overnight connection before an island transfer.
A compact, densely built capital with markets, mosques, museums and the main airport across the water.- Beach & water
- No resort beach; swimming and resort access require a separate transfer.
- Day to day
- Walk within the city; use ferry or taxi for the airport island and nearby atolls.
- January trade-off
- Useful for an arrival or departure night and city services, but it is not a resort-beach stay.
A lower-cost base for boat excursions and a few days by the sea.
Guesthouses, cafés and excursion operators provide a local-island alternative to a private resort.- Beach & water
- The island has a designated visitor swimwear beach; other public areas follow local norms.
- Day to day
- Scheduled speedboats connect the island to Malé; confirm the operator and return schedule.
- January trade-off
- A local-island base with guesthouses and excursions; check boat schedules and visitor-beach rules.
A full-service island stay where the resort is the main destination.
Private resorts operate on separate islands with accommodation, dining and recreation in one property.- Beach & water
- Beach and reef access depend on the specific island, currents and house-reef conditions.
- Day to day
- Transfer is arranged by the resort; cost and duration vary by property.
- January trade-off
- A resort island offers an on-site stay; compare transfer price, meal plan and arrival cutoff.
Stay options for the season
Hotels for a January stay
Compare the pools, setting and seasonal details that matter.
Area view · MaafushiLocal-island beachfront2 Maafushi · Inhabited local island
Arena Beach Hotel
A Maafushi beachfront hotel for a local-island stay and excursions.
- Heating not stated
- Travellers who want a local-island base and boat excursions.
Maafushi is an inhabited island with local rules; it is not an all-inclusive private resort.
January details & sources
Confirm speedboat timing, meal inclusions and visitor-beach arrangements.
The official page checked does not confirm a heated pool.
Arena Beach Hotel
All-inclusive resort island3 South Malé Atoll resorts · Private resort island
Adaaran Club Rannalhi
An all-inclusive South Malé Atoll resort reached by speedboat.
- Heating not stated
- A resort stay with meals, beach time and on-island activities.
A private resort offers less access to local-island life and excursions require planning.
January details & sources
Get transfer costs, gala meal requirements and inclusions in writing.
No pool heating or January water temperature is stated in the checked official information.
Adaaran ResortsArea view · MaléMalé city stopover1 Malé · Capital city
Maagiri Hotel
A Malé city hotel for a night before or after a resort transfer.
- No pool listed
- Travellers who want a Malé night before or after a resort transfer, or a city stay with restaurants and island life close by.
A city hotel cannot replace the beach and lagoon setting of a resort island; resort transfers require separate arrangements.
January details & sources
It is an urban hotel on Malé; coordinate airport transfer and check-in timing.
The checked official amenities do not list a pool.
Maagiri HotelArena Beach is a local-island guesthouse hotel; Maagiri is an urban hotel on Malé for an island-to-island travel night; Adaaran Club Rannalhi is a private resort island. Broad positioning bands are not live prices; compare room, transfers and meal plan for your dates. Facilities checked 2026-10-30. Research from official hotel pages, not personal reviews.
Before you travel
A few checks before The Maldives
Entry permission, health advice and disruption cover depend on your passport, route and activities. Check the authorities for your own circumstances before paying.
Passport & visa
Rules depend on nationality
The Maldives issues a tourist visa on arrival subject to current entry conditions. Check the Maldives Immigration page for passport validity, return ticket, accommodation and declaration requirements before departure.
Vaccinations & health
Check your itinerary and activities
Check routine vaccinations, sun protection and any personal medical needs. Boat transfers and remote resort locations can affect access to health services; discuss individual needs with a clinician.
Travel advice & insurance
Check the latest advice for your route
Check current government advice and insurance for medical evacuation, water activities and missed connections. Confirm what happens if weather delays a seaplane or speedboat transfer.
Check passport validity, visa rules and transit requirements for your passport.
Entry rules vary by nationality and can change. Confirm whether your transit airports, onward ticket, accommodation and any health declarations affect your journey.
Checked 29 October 2026. Recheck the linked authorities before departure. Health guidance is general; individual advice comes from a qualified health professional.
Before you book
A few January questions
The island, transfer and meal plan belong in the same comparison.
Is January dry in the Maldives?
January is generally within the northeast monsoon, the drier season in broad seasonal descriptions. Showers can still occur, so treat this as a tendency rather than a forecast.
Should I stay on Malé, Maafushi or a resort island?
Malé works for a city night or transfer buffer. Maafushi is a local-island option; a resort island offers a more self-contained stay with extra transfer costs.
Are pools heated at the listed Maldives hotels?
The checked listings do not confirm pool heating at Arena Beach or Adaaran Club Rannalhi, and Maagiri does not list a pool. Contact the property if swimming facilities matter.
Can I take a seaplane after a late international flight?
Seaplane operations are limited by daylight and transfer schedules. Confirm your arrival time and whether an overnight near the airport is needed with the resort.
Sources & checks
Weather, areas & hotels
- Open-Meteo · ERA5 historical weather API
- Visit Maldives · travel information
- CDC · travel health information
- Maagiri Hotel · official
- Maldives Meteorological Service · climate
- Visit Maldives · dry and wet seasons
- Arena Beach Hotel
- Adaaran Resorts
- Maldives Airports Company · Velana airport
- Visit Maldives · Maafushi
- Maldives Ministry of Tourism · registered facilities
Keep exploring
Similar places to visit in January
Compare the weather, budget and type of trip.
Vietnam
Phú Quốc
Beach stays and southern island outings
- Daytime high
- 28°
- Relative budget
- Lower cost
Australia
Sydney
Harbour days, beaches and summer city breaks
- Daytime high
- 28°
- Relative budget
- Higher cost
South Africa
Cape Town
Summer beaches, hiking and wine-country days
- Daytime high
- 27°
- Relative budget
- Moderate