Weather in Maldives in January

It is a well-known fact that the weather can make or mar any vacation. Even though The Maldives is great to visit all-round the year, it helps to be aware of the weather conditions when you plan your holiday. If you wish to explore the archipelago at the beginning of the year, read up a little about the weather in Maldives in January.

What Temperatures to Expect in The Maldives in January?

Do not assume that the weather will be uniform across all the islands in The Maldives. The cluster of 1,200 odd islands are scattered on either side of the equator and the seasons sometimes interchange in both the hemispheres.

While some resorts in The Maldives experience a dry season, some others in another part of the country might see some rain. This is why you should look up the local weather charts of the private island resort that you decide to book for yourself.

In the month of January, the lowest temperature you can expect is 25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the highest temperature goes up to 29 degrees Celsius or 84 degrees Fahrenheit. On an average, you will see the mercury reading 27 degrees Celsius or 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

Daytime and night-time averages also tend to differ slightly, with nights being a bit cooler. The average daytime temperature in The Maldives in January is 28.7 degrees Celsius or 84 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average night-time temperature is 27.3 degrees Celsius or 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are a water baby, you must know that the temperature of the water can be different from the one you experience while on land. On an average, the sea temperature in the month of January is 28 degrees Celsius or 82 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a comfortable time to go for a swim, snorkel or dive in the Indian Ocean.

If you are looking for outdoor activities to do in Maldives, you will be happy to know that January sees about 9 hours of sunshine each day on an average, offering plenty of time to enjoy the idyllic seascape and take good pictures in natural light.

Sunsets can be seen at around 6:10 PM, so step out on your private deck if you have booked a sunset overwater villa with loungers to catch the beautiful colours of the evening sky. Despite the mild climate, you should always keep a sunscreen lotion handy and reapply it on your exposed body parts every few hours if you are out in the sun.

Does it Rain in The Maldives in January?

Maldives’ weather is sort of unpredictable on a day-to-day basis as it is both a coastal and a tropical area. The weather patterns are also affected by the water currents, which determine how stormy the seas can get.

Fortunately, the first month of the Roman calendar only sees about 5 days of rainfall on an average. Therefore, if you are due to arrive in this Asian paradise in January, rest assured that it won’t rain on your ‘parade’. The meteorological department here logs an average of 75 mm of rainfall in this month.

It is no wonder then that January is actually one of the best months to go to The Maldives. Most of the tourists and honeymooners flock to this group of islands at the turn of the year. The sunny and warm weather is a big pull for travellers from countries that see harsh winters full of snow (the typical continental climate).

Aiding the pleasant weather is the gentle winds brought on by the winter north-eastern monsoon winds. This dry wind brings down the humidity by blowing away the rain clouds, also lowering the precipitation.

It is interesting to note that January is actually the coolest month of the year for The Maldives even though it is rather hot by international standards. However, the warmth of the ocean increases the air temperature on land.

One of the best things to do this month is go diving in the western atolls as the manta season is in full swing in this area at this time. You will see plenty of manta rays which are nourished by the planktons which the ocean currents accumulate in this part of The Maldives. The visibility is great as well.

With so much information on the weather in Maldives in January, it is time to chalk out an itinerary for your dream vacation. Get in touch with Samudra Maldives for a customized plan to suit your preferences and budget.