The island nation of Maldives consists of twenty-six atolls located in the Indian Ocean, about 400 kilometres south-west of India. Maldives is the world's lowest country in terms of ground level, with each island boasting diverse and fascinating marine life. Maldives benefits from truly wonderful weather, stunning natural scenery, beautiful beaches and plenty of amazing attractions and activities to enjoy. Maldives has long been a world-class, popular holiday destination, and it's not hard to see why!
Representing the tops of a vast submarine mountain range in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the worlds most geographically dispersed countries and Asia's smallest country in population and land area. Maldives is the world's lowest country in terms of ground level (averaging only at 1.5 metres) and is also the country with the lowest natural highest point in the world, at 2.4 metres.
The weather in the Maldives is mild all year round, with plenty of sunshine and warm waters, even during the winter months. The archipelago doesn't really experience the seasons as we do; instead, Maldives undergoes a dry season (beginning at the end of November and lasting until April) followed by a wet season (from April till October). During the wet season, humidity is extremely high and the islands see rainfalls on an almost daily basis.
What's The Weather Like in The Maldives in January?
January is one of the best months to visit the Maldives. It's in the dry season, so it's hot and sunny with low rainfall. It's peak season with many Europeans visiting to escape colder climates.
How Hot Is The Maldives In January?
January's average daytime temperatures stay around 27°C with daytime highs peaking at 29°C. During night time, temperatures are expected to drop down to 25°C but they rarely go any lower thanks to the warm Indian sea waters and the equally warm monsoon winds.
Can You Swim In The Sea In the Maldives In January?
Sea temperature, which fluctuates only slightly throughout the year, remains at a welcoming 28°C.
Sunshine Hours
During January, Maldives enjoy nine hours of daily sunshine.
Is The Maldives WIndy In January?
January is dominated by the winter northeastern monsoon, which is a dry wind hailing east of India. The wind blows away rainy clouds and lowers humidity.
How Much Rain Does The Maldives Get In January?
Rain is relatively rare in the Maldives in January. Monthly total precipitation reaches 75mm and rain is expected over the archipelago during five days of the month. Although humidity is relatively high, sea breezes will ensure that it never feels oppressively hot.
Hotels for Maldives in January
Asdu Sun Island Resort
If you're looking for a rustic experience that will give you a more authentic feel of the Maldives and its culture, try the Asdu Sun Island resort. The hotel offers a basic feel, good prices and fully encapsulates the essence of the true spirit of Maldives.
The Asdu Sun Island hotel is a simple and primitive resort that allows for a quiet and traditionally-themed stay for tourists on a budget. The hotel's facilities are useful and the view over the Indian Ocean is good enough to keep many tourists coming back year after year.
Beaches for January for Maldives
Male's Manmade Beach
If you happen to be in the capital city of Male and want to combine culture and seaside you can enjoy Male's manmade beach. This newly created bay is becoming rapidly popular thanks to the events that are hosted there, including live music and festivals, making it a great place to swim, socialise and party in Maldives.
Mirihi Island
Situated on a secluded tropical islet in the South Ari Atoll, the Mirihi Island boasts some of the most impressive beaches south of Male, Maldives's capital. All the beaches are pristine, fairly secluded and rather small. The largest beach on the island is just 350 meters long and 50 meters wide with very fine golden sand and tropical vegetation in the surrounding areas.
Bars and Restaurants
Sala Thai Restaurant
is a fantastic Thai 'boutique', famous for being wildly exotic in an already tropical setting. The Sala Thai chefs fly all their ingredients on a weekly basis, ensuring that diners enjoy the freshest Thai dishes in an unspoilt, beautiful environment. The prices match the restaurant's quality and while this is not the most child-friendly restaurant (due to the spicy dishes) it's rather accommodating to families in general.
Subsix
is the world's first underwater club and one of the hottest nightlife hubs in the whole archipelago of Maldives. The Subsix club welcomes international DJs, blasts globally themed music and attracts a young lively crowd. The club itself is impressive and the deep-blue colour of the ocean makes for the perfect, unique setting for nightlong parties.
Things to Do in Maldives in January
Fish Market
A trip to Male wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Fish Market. It's one of the main tourist attractions in the Maldives. A visit here in the afternoon can also coincide with local dhonis bringing in fresh catches. The market merits a visit for all tourists interested, not only in Maldives' cuisine but also the local culture and customs.
Big game fishing
Big game fishing can give tourists the opportunity to catch anything from sharks to eels. The most popular form of the sport is night fishing. Fishing at either sunrise or sunset is the best time of the day to go, when you can take advantage of the views. The Dreamcatcher fleet offers excellent opportunities to big game fishing enthusiasts, they can practice their fishing skills angling exciting catches across the Indian Ocean.
Dates for the diary
Maldives celebrates New Years Eve as a nation-wide event with lots of fireworks and partying across all major settlements and tourist resorts. New Year's in the Maldives has a slightly political character, symbolising the nation's rebirth after it gained independence and became a republic in 1968. The day is a national holiday and tourists can also find parties going on at the most popular resorts and gathering places in Maldives.
Another politically-themed national event is the eponymous Qaumee Dhuvas, also known as the Maldives national day. It's a major nationwide celebration in January, it commemorates the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam over the Portuguese occupation in the year 1573.
