Human Sadly, sea turtle populations the world over are under threat and the Maldives is no exception. If you want to avoid the big crowds, limited flight/hotel availability, and long lines of peak season, the best time to visit Maldives is from October to December. And youll still get plenty of sunshine in between showers. Visiting the Maldives from November to April is a no-brainer as its when youll get the most sunshine and warmest temperatures. Choosing the best time to go to the Maldives can make or break your trip. This means that from May to June you will actually be able to see the turtles nesting. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Heres how to make the most of your stay in this archipelago nation! January. +11. best times to visit the Maldives During this time, the island boasts a dry climate making it easier for the visitors to enjoy here. But theres plenty more to this special slice of the Indian Ocean, attracting the gamut of travelers from backpackers to big families. The first week sees the end of the festive season, which February. WebBest time: May to October Nesting season: Late October to February Hatching season: Late December to April Find a Liveaboard in the Great Barrier Reef 3. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. WebTurtles in the Maldives are endangered and so they are protected. Leatherbacks feed almost exclusively on jellyfish, making them susceptible to mistakenly swallowing plastic bags floating in the ocean, which can kill them. With the exception of November, when prices are in the mid-$500 range, expect to pay in the mid-$600 range the rest of the year. For the best chance of being able to swim with turtles in the Maldives, book onto a Maldives snorkeling tour. Let's plan you dream trip there! Male sea turtles spend their entire lives at sea. That makes perfect sense due to the tropical scenery, laid-back culture, seaside spa cabanas, and ample opportunities for romantic relaxation. April is generally considered the best time to visit Maldives if youre looking for a combination of great weather and lower prices. From fresh tuna curries and smoked fish pastries to flavorful fish soups and banana flower salad, Maldivian food blends tropical tastes with Indian flavors in a delicious way. WebThere are resident (full time) turtles all year round in Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay. Best Time to Visit Maldives The Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata). What species of sea turtles can you find in The Maldives? There are also large populations of hawksbill turtles too. Sea turtles have been swimming in the oceans for much longer than humans have walked the earth. Maafushivaru is a great place to see sea turtles and there are many spots across the island where they love to hang out. If being the only dive boat in view is a priority, head south to Komandoo. The holiday is usually celebrated for about a month in the spring. Jun. Komandoo. Their lagoon has a huge reef which is filled with sea creatures including sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, tropical fish and more. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Planning to visit Maldives soon? Kuredu. 4. Maafushi is one of the best places to see turtles in the Maldives. Best time to go to Maldives You will see some of the most spectacular marine life, including reef sharks, turtles, manta rays, barracudas, and eels. Human Take the opportunity to island-hop via boat or seaplane to see the relatively untouched atolls off the beaten path. Walnut is an adult male turtle who has been seen swimming and eating in the lagoon for over 10 years. Find the right card for you. Green Sea Turtles (pictured above) are one of the largest sea turtles and the only herbivore among the species. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. While the residents may be smaller in size, there are nesting seasons as well. While they have natural predators, humans are to be blamed the most; be it being hunted for meat, eggs or shells, traded as pets, getting entangled in fishing gear or losing natural habitats, turtles in the Maldives face a tough road to survival. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The olive ridley turtle is closely related to the Kemps ridley turtle and is named for the generally greenish color of its skin and shell or carapace. rove.me. During the dry season, you can take your pick of exciting Maldives activities, like fishing trips, island hopping excursions, and day cruises. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. JulyAugust (all year round) Feb. Mar. She uses her flippers to dig a nest and lays from 50 to 200 eggs. This is a traditional folk dance and song that will make you feel connected to the ancient cultural roots of Maldives. If Ive said it once, Ive said it a million times, you need to go to the Maldives as soon as you get the chance (or lets be real your bank account will allow). January. Baby sea turtles tend to hatch around 45 days after their egg has been laid and then they make their way into the ocean to begin their life. Turtles in the Maldives 35 helpful votes. The best place to see them in the Maldives if not the world is the South Ari Atoll, where these majestic giants dwell year round. Later, hatchlings emerge and scramble into the water. Heres our guide to navigating the entry requirements for visiting Sri Lanka as a tourist, with information on visa types, costs and how to apply for one. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Maldiveson a budget: How to penny pinch in paradise, How to choose the bestMaldivesisland for your travel style, 10 incredible experiences in theMaldivesto go beyond the villa, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Lets dive into the optimal time to plan your trip. Frusci. After all, who wants to spend their paradise getaway cooped up in their hotel room to escape the rain? Youll feel like youre swimming in an aquarium with the vast range of tropical fish, giant sea turtles and more that lurk in the waters surrounding this paradise island. Kureda island is considered the best place to see turtles in Maldives apart from seagrass rich lagoons. This island is home to one of the most pristine and colorful reefs in the Maldives making it one of the best places to swim with turtles. If yours is a big-budget trip then the place to stay is the atolls newest resort, Seaside Finolhu Sandbank. Well also share some helpful travel tips to make the most of your stay! Five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world can be found in The Maldives, and there are two species that are seen far more frequently than the others the Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle. Its dry, warm, and less humid at this time of year with excellent water visibility to enjoy the world-class diving and snorkeling around the islands. Regardless of when you decide to go, an experience in the Maldives is bound to be unforgettable. I love seeing turtles too! This paradise island has soft, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a healthy population of sea turtles! Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. If you plan to spend a lot of time on the beaches and exploring the cities, this is the best time to visit. If you want to stay on the island then you can book a room at the 5* Iti Maafushivaru Maldives resort which is truly the stuff of dreams! The waters around this luxury resort are so unexplored, enthusiasts are regularly finding new dive sites, with fifteen species of shark found so far. Leatherback turtles have severely declined during the last century as a result of intense egg collection and fisheries by-catch. All rights reserved. Home Travel Asia Travel Guide Maldives Travel Guide Whens the Best Time to Visit the Maldives? A threat to these ecosystems can make all life vulnerable. Manta rays and whale sharks enter a feeding frenzy in June thanks to the increased plankton in the water, which has average visibility at this time of year. May. You can see turtles all year round in the Maldives. Mother turtles lay up to 100 eggs in each nest. Find hotels and airbnbs near Sea Turtle Hatching (Map) Turtle spotting. If youre on a budget or looking for a quieter experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons late April through May or October through early December. While the residents may be smaller in size, there are nesting seasons as well. Maldives is an archipelago of islands near India and Sri Lanka. Turtles in the Maldives JulyAugust (all year round) Feb. Mar. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. During Ramadan, locals fast during the day, but restaurants and resorts operate as normal. Turtles live long lives thought to be up to 50 years and can survive long periods without food. Best Time Web45 reviews. Overall, the best time to visit Maldives is during the peak season from January to April. 6 years ago. The act of egg collection on many turtle nesting beaches poses a grave threat and is one of the many reasons why turtles are listed as endangered. Ari Atoll, Maldives The Maldives are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands divided into 26 ring-shaped atolls in the Indian Ocean. The Green sea turtle is a pro and can stay underwater for as long as five hours! Chances are any time you decide to visit, the Maldives will be pleasantly warm. rove.me. The hawksbill turtles do not grow very large, they measure up to 90cm. 6 years ago. This species is the largest hard-shelled turtle in the world and have skin that ranges from yellow to brown, shells that are typically reddish brown with darker streaks, and front flippers that possess two claws. Dont worry these types of sharks are harmless but it is a great way to impress your friends and family when you get home. Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. For Maldivians, Independence Day is one of the most important days of the year. Best Time to Visit This post was originally published on Oct. 12, 2019. Plan your visit in October, early to mid-November, or early to mid-December for the smallest crowds. Dont miss the Vaadhoo Island (Raa Atoll) during your trip, where millions of bioluminescent organisms light up the seas at night with an ethereal glow. Youll see the greatest number of them in the channel to the south of the atoll from May through to December. Maafushi is one of the best places to see turtles in the Maldives. If youre looking for a vibrant holiday atmosphere, this is the time for you. Best time to go to Maldives May. Festivities include marching bands, parades, speeches, ceremonies and children walking the streets wearing their best clothes a true display of the countrys culture, heritage and pride. Kuredu. Thulusdhoo is the island to stay at, where reasonably priced guest houses host a friendly surfing crowd. Enrollment required. Its so beautiful that youll never want to leave. Learn the best time to visit Maldives in our travel guide, along with tips on the cheapest and least busy time to go! To ensure the turtles remain safe, theres a few key things to bear in mind when swimming with them in the Maldives. Turtles in the Maldives Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Obviously December is an expensive time to visit the Maldives so subject to budget Amari and Komandoo are hot spots for turtles. Whale watching aside, spotting turtles is a fun activity to experience out at sea; it can even be enjoyed on a Whale Submarine adventure that can be organised while staying at resorts such as Adaaran Prestige Vadoo. Fact: Seagrass is the favorite food of the green sea turtles which is why you often find turtles in the areas with lots of seagrass. The Maldives is often warm and sunny throughout the year, but its climate is split into a wet season and a dry season. The first week sees the end of the festive season, which February. During the wet season, from May through October, some islands may experience upward of nine inches of precipitation in a single month. These turtles can grow up to 100cm and like other species of sea turtles, they migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches from where they hatched. Its a wide window, so pay attention to the slight differences in weather and activities through this range to plan the best trip. Frusci. Lime, chili, coconut, and curry are staples in Maldivian cuisine. Youll deal with additional rainfall and cloudy skies, but the rains pass quickly and youll get much cheaper deals on flights, rooms, and resort packages at this time of year. Head for Hanifaru Bay in June to November when the zooplankton they feed on is at its most bounteous. During this time, you can find some of the best snorkelling and diving spots and an abundance of sea life ready to be explored but it is a bit wetter on-land. Plus, youll have more personal space on the beach. In the capital Male, youll see shining domes of Islamic mosques highlighting the skyline, some built with coral stone from the nearby reefs. Jul. Many resorts offer discounted rates during this period, and flights are often cheaper. There are seven sea turtle species in the world, and five of them can be spotted in the Maldives. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). Built in 1656, this coral-stone beauty is the oldest in the Maldives. WebTurtles in the Maldives are endangered and so they are protected. The wet season in the Maldives typically runs from May until October and you should expect some strong winds, heavy rains, and thunderstorms exactly like your typical monsoon season in other parts of the world. Heres a look at some of the worst times to go. Five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world can be found in The Maldives, and there are two species that are seen far more frequently than the others the Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle. The surf season runs from mid-February through November, which is when the largest swells can be found. The temperature of the sand surrounding the eggs determines the sex of the baby turtles. First, lets take a look at what makes this archipelago nation so special. Olive and Kemps ridley turtles only reach about only about two feet in shell length and weigh between 36 and 41 kg. Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys Coricea). After all, there are countless beaches and high-end resorts to visit. You may already know that sea turtles are, Five of the seven species of sea turtles can be found in The Maldives, with the two most common being the, We hope you enjoyed this blog post about the. The temperature between these months remains between 24C and 31C. This is also one of the driest times of the year, with little chance of downpours or storms spoiling your fun. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys Olivacea). One of the most popular places to view the plankton is off of Vaadhoo Island in the Raa Atoll, although it's possible to see the phenomenon in any of the atolls. Best Time to Visit Maldives Temperatures hang around 86F-88F from January to April and lows are in the upper 70s. Related: Is the St. Regis Maldives worth the trip? Athuruga. They help to maintain the health of the sea grass beds and beach vegetation, which protects against loss of marine life and beach erosion. Highs around 86F and lows around 77F make the weather comfortably warm without being stiflingly hot. Hilton also expanded its presence in the Maldives when it opened the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and SAii Lagoon Maldives, a Curio Collection resort, last summer, available from 120,000 and 85,000 points, respectively, for a standard-room reward. Discover the best time to visit these gorgeous islands with this in-depth guide. WebBiyadhoo does have a couple of turtles but you have to be in the right place at the right time - we have usually seen them at least once on each visit typically early in the morning before everyone hit the reef snorkelling. Waters are calmer during December and January. It is estimated that only 1 out of 1,000 hatchlings survives to be an adult so they need all the help they can get. Best Time to Visit Maldives Snorkeling and diving excursions offer some wonderful opportunities to see turtles in Maldives. April is generally considered the best time to visit Maldives if youre looking for a combination of great weather and lower prices. Many are based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar many of us are familiar with. March. Most active nesting time for turtles lies in the months of May and June and their hatching falls from July to August.