At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season
Maldives in March — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
Maldives in March offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for whale sharks & sun. Expect temperatures of 27–32°C, around 5 days of rain, and high crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around $180–500 for mid-range travellers. Book accommodation two to three months ahead — the most popular rooms sell out fast during peak visiting windows.
Contents15 sections
#Weather in Maldives in March
Maldives in March averages 27–32°C (81–90°F) with around 5 days of rain, and crowds are high.
| Measure | March in the Maldives |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 32°C / 90°F |
| Overnight low | About 27°C / 81°F |
| Rainy days | About 5 |
| Sunset | About 6:15–6:20pm all month |
| Big dates | Ramadan ends early in the month; Eid al-Fitr expected around 10 March 2027 |
| Crowds | High, easing slightly from the February peak |
Figures are Maldives Meteorological Service and NOAA averages for Malé.
What that actually means for your trip:
- March is one of the driest, calmest months, at the end of the northeast monsoon, with long sunny days and flat seas.
- It is hot. Daytime temperatures are in the low thirties and the humidity rises through the month; the sea breeze and the shade are what make it comfortable.
- The water is clear and warm, around 29–30°C, with excellent visibility for snorkelling and diving.
- The days are even. Close to the equator, the sun sets at about the same time every evening.
Is March a good time to visit the Maldives? Yes, and for divers and snorkellers it may be the pick of the year: dry, calm and sunny, with superb water for snorkelling and diving, and prices a little below the Christmas and February peak. The main thing to know in 2027 is Ramadan, which ends early in the month and changes daily life on the local islands until Eid.
#March in the Maldives
Ramadan and Eid. In 2027 the holy month is expected to begin around 8 February and to end with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March, confirmed by the sighting of the moon. On the local islands, daily life is quieter in the day and busy after sunset during Ramadan; Eid brings several days of public holiday, family visits, sports and celebrations. Resorts are barely affected, apart from staff working shifts around the fast.
Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, so the European school holidays begin at the end of the month, and family resorts fill and raise their prices for the Easter fortnight.
The sea. The northeast monsoon brings the clearest water to the western sides of the atolls in this season, which is where many dive sites with mantas and reef sharks are at their best.
Whale sharks are seen all year in the south of Ari Atoll; a morning excursion from a resort or guesthouse is the usual way to find them. Hanifaru Bay's famous manta gatherings in Baa Atoll happen from July to November, not now.
#What to Do in Maldives in March
Solo Travellers
Stay on a local island such as Maafushi or Thoddoo, where guesthouses run snorkelling, sandbank and dive trips at a fraction of resort prices. After Eid, island life returns to its usual rhythm.
Couples
Take a private sandbank picnic or a sunset dolphin cruise, both at their best in the calm seas of March. An overwater villa is at its most magical with water this clear.
Families
Shallow lagoons and house reefs close to the beach make March ideal for children learning to snorkel. Book family resorts early for the Easter holidays at the end of the month.
Groups
Charter a boat for a day of snorkelling and a sandbank lunch, or book a dive trip in Ari Atoll for the reef sharks and the chance of a whale shark.
#Getting Around
All international arrivals land at Velana International Airport, on its own island beside Malé, and the onward journey depends on where you are staying. The nearby resorts of the two Malé atolls send boats that take under an hour; the outer atolls are reached by seaplane, which only flies in daylight, or by a domestic flight and a boat; and guesthouse islands are linked by public ferries and shared speedboats, the cheapest way to travel. In March's calm seas the boat crossings are at their smoothest. The resort or guesthouse books the transfer, and it is a significant part of the cost.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$150–250 | Local-island guesthouse, island meals, shared excursions |
| Mid-range | US$500–900 | 4-star resort, half board, transfers shared over the stay |
| Luxury | US$1,500+ | Overwater villa, full board, seaplane transfers |
March is high season, a little cheaper than February, with Easter prices at the end of the month.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Green Tax, resorts | US$12 per person per night |
| Green Tax, small guesthouses | US$6 per person per night |
| Tourism tax (T-GST) | 17% on resort bills |
| Departure tax, economy | US$50 |
| Resort service charge | Usually 10% |
- Read the total price. Resort rates usually add a 10% service charge, the 17% tax and the Green Tax.
- Price the transfer before choosing a resort; a seaplane return can rival a night's room rate.
- Book Easter early for family resorts.
#Food & Dining
At the resorts, the food runs from buffets to fine dining, often with a reef-fish grill on the beach.
On the local islands, try mas huni, shredded tuna with coconut and chilli, eaten with flatbread at breakfast, and garudhiya, a clear fish broth. During Ramadan, the islands' cafés open after sunset for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the fast.
#Nightlife
Nightlife is resort life: a sunset bar, dinner on the beach and perhaps a DJ. Alcohol is available only on resort islands and licensed boats; local islands are dry. A night snorkel or a stargazing evening on the beach is the classic Maldivian night out.
#Shopping
The resort boutiques sell swimwear, sarongs and local crafts.
In Malé, the Local Market has fish, fruit and spices, and the souvenir shops of Majeedhee Magu sell lacquerwork and woven mats. Shops close for prayers several times a day.
#Culture & Etiquette
- Dress for a Muslim country on inhabited islands: shoulders and knees covered in the village, swimwear only on the marked tourist beach.
- During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight on local islands.
- Greet with "Eid Mubarak" when the holiday arrives.
- Alcohol and pork are available only on resort islands and licensed boats.
- Do not touch or stand on coral, and never feed the fish.
#Essential Local Phrases
| English | Dhivehi | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / peace be upon you | Assalaamu alaikum | As-sa-laa-mu a-lai-kum |
| Thank you | Shukuriyaa | Shoo-koo-ree-yaa |
| How are you? | Haalu kihineh? | Haa-loo ki-hi-neh |
| Good / fine | Barabaru | Ba-ra-ba-roo |
| How much? | Kihaa vareh? | Ki-haa va-reh |
| Yes / no | Aan / noon | Aan / noon |
| Water | Fen | Fen |
| Goodbye | Dhanee | Dha-nee |
#Packing List
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest for snorkelling
- A hat and polarised sunglasses
- Light, modest clothes for local islands and Malé
- Your own mask and snorkel, if you have one that fits
- A dry bag for speedboat transfers
- Insect repellent for the evenings
#Backup Plans
If a rare rain squall arrives: it usually passes within an hour; book a spa treatment or a cooking class, and go back out when the sun returns.
If a whale-shark trip comes up empty: the reef, the turtles and the sharks on the same trip make it worthwhile, and the trip can often be repeated.
If resort prices are out of reach in high season: base yourself in a guesthouse and buy a day at a nearby resort, which many sell with lunch and a transfer included.
#Safety & Health
The Maldives is very safe. The sun is the main risk: use reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash vest, and drink plenty of water. Snorkel with a buddy, check the currents with the dive centre, and keep away from boat channels.
Emergency: 119 for police, 102 for an ambulance.
#What's New for March 2027
- Ramadan is expected to end around 9 March 2027, with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March
- Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, starting the European school holidays
- The Green Tax is US$12 per person per night at resorts, doubled from 1 January 2025
- The departure tax for economy passengers is US$50, since 1 December 2024
- Seaplanes still fly only in daylight; plan arrival times around them
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), updated October 2026 for March 2027. Climate figures are Maldives Meteorological Service and NOAA averages for Malé. Dates and prices verified against:
- Maldives Inland Revenue Authority for the Green Tax and T-GST
- Travel Trade Maldives for the 2025 Green Tax change
- One Mile at a Time for the departure tax
- Maldives Meteorological Service for climate data
- Visit Maldives for travel information
For the month before, see Maldives in February, and for the season as a whole, Maldives in the dry season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit the Maldives?
Yes, it is one of the driest and calmest months, with clear water for snorkelling and diving and prices a little below the February peak. In 2027 Ramadan ends early in the month, with Eid al-Fitr expected around 10 March, which matters mainly if you stay on a local island.
Is the Maldives cheaper in March than in January and February?
Usually a little, as the Christmas and February peak passes, but March is still high season. In 2027 Easter falls on 28 March, so family resorts raise prices for the European school holidays at the end of the month. Add the 10% service charge, the 17% tax and the Green Tax to compare totals.
What are the best things to do in the Maldives in March?
Snorkelling and diving in clear, calm water, a whale-shark trip in South Ari Atoll, where they are seen year-round, sandbank picnics and sunset dolphin cruises. Book boat trips for the morning, when the sea is calmest and the sun is gentler.
When is Easter in 2027, and does it affect the Maldives?
Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027, so the European Easter school holidays start at the end of March and run into April. Family resorts fill and raise their prices for those weeks; book early, or travel in the first half of the month.
What’s the weather like in Maldives in March?
Maldives in March typically sees temperatures of 27–32°C with around 5 days of rain across the period. Pack light, breathable layers and strong sun protection — days get genuinely hot.