Have you been thinking that it’s time to escape the rain and book a holiday in the sun to dispel those winter blues and recharge the batteries before Spring arrives?
Well, what better place than the beautiful Maldives, renowned for its turquoise blue lagoons, powder-soft sand and barefoot luxury.
However, the Maldives takes on subtle changes to its character throughout the year. This includes crystal-clear dive conditions to manta-filled waters and golden, festival-lit Decembers, with each month offering something distinct that will appeal to different tastes.
For example, in January the Maldives enjoys clear blue skies, low humidity and glass-calm seas that are ideal for diving and snorkelling with crystal-clear visibility. The weather is also perfect for lazy days on the beach, swimming and taking sunset cruises.
February can be a popular month for families taking the kids away for the half term break. That said, it tends to be a quieter month following the January peak and is a great time for couples who want some relaxation and downtime. Overwater villas feel more secluded, while barefoot candlelit beach dinners go uninterrupted. The tranquil pace makes it one of the most romantic months to visit the Maldives.
Ozen Life Maadhoo offers a special all-inclusive “Indulgence Package” giving you access to a fabulous range of destination dining options including M6m under the sea and the intimate 12-table ‘Lonu’ which serves Maldivian-inspired plates. You can also take in a traditional sunset fishing experience and star gazing as there is very little light pollution.
In March underwater visibility reaches its peak, revealing coral gardens in extraordinary clarity. You will be able to see reef sharks gliding through the water, shoals of brightly coloured tropical fish darting back and forth as turtles linger in the clear shallow waters. So, this is the idyllic time to visit the Maldives if you are a keen snorkeller or SCUBA diver.
With Easter falling on 5th April this year, the sweet-toothed amongst you can take advantage of celebrity chef Janice Wong’s return to Ozen Reserve Bolifushi on 25th and 26th April for a Chocolate Art & Serenity pop up. There will be bespoke dessert experiences, interactive workshops for children and lots of chocolate installations inspired by the island setting.
The first light monsoon rains tend to arrive in May and it’s the month when the Maldivian islands become noticeably greener and lusher. While the rain showers are usually brief, the ocean remains warm and inviting, so it’s perfect time to visit the Maldives if you want less people around and more quiet downtime.
You will notice the more active holidaymakers visiting the islands in June, taking advantage of all the water sports available, such as kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and catamarans out into the uncrowded lagoons.
July sees the start of the school summer holidays, but it is also the month when the nutrient-rich waters draw manta rays and whale sharks closer to shore, making it one of the best times of the year for some unforgettable wildlife encounters, be it snorkelling, diving alongside the manta rays or dolphin spotting from a catamaran.
August was traditionally a low season in the Maldives. However, it has more recently seen one of the strongest sales increases of any month in recent years. Climate change has had such an impact on unpredictable weather patterns around the world that the month now draws many family visitors who want to take advantage of lower rates combined with beautiful Maldives weather.
With school holidays over, September is a good time to visit as a sense of calm descends across the atolls giving visitors the chance to recharge their batteries in peace and quiet. It also helps that rates are more favourable. At the same time the Maldives feels wonderfully unhurried, making it perfect for long stays and total relaxation. And if you book one of the new Wind Villas that have opened at Ozen Life Maadhoo this year, you will be able to relax in your own private Jacuzzi and have fun on the slide that takes you straight into the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean.
October is another good month for snorkelling and SCUBA diving, while November is the last chance to enjoy the warm sunshine before December’s peak season pricing kicks in. It is also a great time to visit The Ozen Collection if you are a wine lover as you can experience a wine masterclass with the esteemed Tenerife winery Bodegas Viñátigo, renowned for its extraordinary revival of nearly-lost Canary Islands grape varieties.
With the year drawing to a close, December is when the Maldives turns into a tropical holiday haven for families. There are plenty of festive activities to keep the kids busy and hopefully happy.
Rates at Ozen Reserve Bolifushi start from $1,650 a night for two sharing an Earth Pool Villa Sunrise on the RESERVE™ Plan, including complimentary luxury catamaran transfers to and from Velana International Airport, Male. For more information, please visit: www.theozencollection.com/bolifushi.
While rates at Ozen Life Maadhoo start from $1,255 a night for two sharing an Earth Villa on the INDULGENCE™ Plan, including complimentary speedboat transfers to and from Velana International Airport. For more information, please visit: www.theozencollection.com/maadhoo. And for more information on the Maldives, please visit: www.visitmaldives.com.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based travel and motoring journalist and editor, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of The Ozen Collection
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