Weather in Maldives in August

How August compares

August is the 6th warmest month of the year in Maldives and ranks 85th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Maldives is 6.5°C warmer by day and 12.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Maldives peaks at 27.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 28.5°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C. Nights average 26.4°C; one night in ten drops to 25.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 29.5°C (2019-08-03) and the coldest night 24.4°C (1996-08-24).

Rain in August

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 16 days with 1 mm or more, 144 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 1992 with 331 mm, the driest 2018 with 57 mm. Humidity averages 80%.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 28.7°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 28.3°C to 29.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (29.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:03 and sets about 18:18 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 79%.

Is August a good time to visit Maldives?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Maldives on our scoring are February, March, January; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Steady warmth, with little relief at night

The heat is fairly steady: average daytime highs are 27.9°C and night-time lows are 26.4°C. That small drop means evenings are not much of a cooling break, so pack light, loose clothing rather than relying on cooler hours for comfort. Humidity averages 80%, which can make the warmth feel sticky even though daytime temperatures are not especially high for a tropical holiday. Breathable fabrics and accommodation with effective cooling are sensible priorities. Keep more active plans flexible and take breaks when the heat feels tiring. August suits travellers who enjoy constant warmth better than those who need fresh evenings to sleep comfortably.

Rain and cloud are the main compromise

With about 16 rainy days and just 2.5 hours of sunshine out of 12.1 hours of daylight, August is a poor fit if you want to spend most days lying in the sun. There is plenty of daylight, but that is not the same as clear skies. Leave room to move outdoor plans around and pack a light waterproof that will not feel heavy in the humidity. The monthly figures do not tell you when rain will fall or how long each spell will last, so do not build your plans around an assumed daily shower followed by sunshine. Covered space where you can relax would be useful.

Warm water is the strongest reason to go

The sea averages 28.7°C, making swimming a much stronger selling point than sunbathing in August. If you mainly want warm water and can accept interruptions to outdoor time, the month can still suit you. Water temperature alone does not tell you about swimming conditions, though, so follow local advice before getting in. From London, the flight takes about 11 h 24 min: that is a long journey if dependable sunshine is the main thing you want from your holiday. Weigh the appeal of the warm sea against the wet-weather compromise before committing, rather than treating tropical warmth as a promise of sunny days.