Sea temperature in Maldives
Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 8 beaches on the Maldives coast.
Best time to swim in Maldives
The sea in Maldives peaks in February, when the water averages around 25°C.
The main swimming season runs from January – December, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.
On average, 12 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
The coldest month is typically July at around 20°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Maldives sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the warmest sea coincides with the December–February summer and the coolest with July–August.
Maldives sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Maldives shows an annual mean sea temperature of 22°C, ranging from 20°C in winter to 25°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 5°C between the coldest and warmest month — a useful yardstick when comparing years or checking whether the current sea is running above or below average.
Recent decades have trended slightly warmer at Maldives, in line with regional sea-surface temperature records for the wider basin.
Monthly averages below are drawn from multi-decadal climatology and are updated as new observations arrive.
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Maldives sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Maldives?
February is the warmest month in Maldives, when the sea averages about 25°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Maldives?
The coldest month in Maldives is typically July, when the water averages around 20°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Maldives without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Maldives runs from January – December — about 12 months a year when the sea sits above 20°C, the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do I need a wetsuit in Maldives?
Outside peak summer the water in Maldives drops toward 20°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable. In peak months most swimmers go without.
What is the average sea temperature in Maldives?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Maldives is about 22°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Maldives?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Maldives, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.
Warmest beaches in Maldives right now
| Beach | Region | Sea | Swim score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malé Hulhumalé Beach | Kaafu | — | — |
| Fulhadhoo | Baa | — | — |
| Maafushi Bikini Beach | Kaafu | — | — |
| Veligandu Island | Alif Alif | — | — |
| Fulhadhoo Beach | Baa | — | — |
| Bikini Beach Maafushi | Kaafu | — | — |
| Fulhadhoo Beach | Baa | — | — |
| Dhigurah Beach | Alif Dhaal | — | — |