Weather in Maldives in January

How January compares

January is the 11th warmest month of the year in Maldives and ranks 23rd of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Maldives is 19.9°C warmer by day and 23.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Maldives peaks at 27.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 28.0°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C. Nights average 26.1°C; one night in ten drops to 25.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 28.9°C (2016-01-31) and the coldest night 23.9°C (2000-01-13).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 82 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1998 with 191 mm, the driest 2015 with 10 mm. Humidity averages 78%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 28.1°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.6°C to 28.6°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (29.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:18 and sets about 18:12 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 55%.

Is January 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.

Warm throughout the day, with little relief at night

Average highs of 27.3°C make January hot without the daytime temperatures regularly pushing into 30°C territory. It is actually among the cooler months in the Maldives, though that is a relative distinction rather than a reason to pack winter layers. The bigger consideration is humidity at 78%, which can make the warmth feel more tiring than the temperature suggests. Choose loose, lightweight clothing and avoid putting your most active plans around midday if you dislike humid heat. Nights average 26.1°C, so evenings are still warm rather than refreshing. A room with effective cooling is a sensible priority if warm nights disturb your sleep.

A good month, but keep your plans flexible

January sits among the better months to go, alongside February and March, but the rainfall figures do not support expecting a completely dry holiday. About 11 days receive measurable rain, so leave room to rearrange outdoor plans rather than relying on clear weather throughout. That figure does not mean those days are entirely washed out, nor does it tell you when rain will arrive. Sunshine averages 5.4 hours within 11.8 hours of daylight, making cloud a realistic part of the trip too. January suits you better if warmth matters more than uninterrupted blue skies and you will not resent spending some time under cover.

The sea is a stronger draw than cooler evenings

At 28.1°C, the sea is comfortably warm for swimming, making January a good fit if getting into the water is central to your holiday. The reported year-to-year range of 28°C to 29°C also suggests little variation in that warmth. Sea temperature alone cannot tell you how calm the water will be, so take local conditions into account before swimming. For a UK traveller, this is a substantial shift from cold-weather routines, but it comes with a long-haul journey: the flight from London is about 11 h 24 min. Go for warm-water swimming and sustained warmth, rather than expecting dry air or crisp evenings.