Maldives
Malé in May
🌧️ Rainy seasonHot, humid and very wet.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why May scores 7.4What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.5
- ✓Hot (32°C highs / 27°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 25.4°C)
- !Wet: ~238 mm rain, ~9 heavy-rain days
- Air quality10.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~5 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards9.5
- !Flood: ~9 heavy-rain days in an average May
- Safety baseline7.5
- ·Increased caution
| May | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.4 Good | 8.3 Very good |
| Season | 🌧️ Rainy season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) |
| High / low | 32° / 27° | 31° / 26° |
| Rain | 238 mm | 87 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 25° | dew pt 24° |
| PM2.5 | 5 µg/m³ | 10 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Malé weather-station normals. Rainfall: Malé weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Eid al-Adha 15–19 May · 5 days off in a row
Other public holidays: International Worker's Day (1 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore MaléEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe Maldives' compact, densely built capital island, visited mainly in transit to resorts, but with mosques, markets and local life.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Independence DayEvery year26 July every year
The national day, marked with parades and celebrations.
Why go: Expect ceremonies and some road closures.
Where: Malé
Ramadan and Eid al-FitrDate variesIslamic calendar, moves about 11 days earlier each year
During Ramadan cafes close by day and life shifts to the evenings; Eid marks its end.
Why go: Resort life is unaffected, but local restaurant hours change.
Where: Malé
Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy)
A 17th-century coral-stone mosque with intricate carvings.
💡 Dress modestly; non-Muslim access may be restricted.
Malé Fish Market
The busy market where tuna is landed and sold.
💡 Most active in the late afternoon when boats return.
Local Market
A market for fruit, vegetables and dried goods.
Sultan Park and National Museum
A small park beside the museum of Maldivian history.
Artificial Beach
A small man-made swimming beach on the east side of the island.
Hulhumalé
A neighbouring reclaimed island with a beach and seafront.
Mas huni
Shredded tuna with coconut, onion and chilli, eaten with roshi flatbread for breakfast.
💡 Local cafes
Garudhiya
A clear tuna broth eaten with rice, lime and chilli.
💡 Local cafes
Hedhikaa
Savoury snacks such as fish cutlets and fried pastries.
💡 Tea shops
Bis keemiya
Pastries filled with tuna, egg and cabbage.
💡 Tea shops
Lacquerware
Traditional Maldivian lacquered wooden boxes and vases.
💡 Souvenir shops in Malé
Woven mats (thundu kunaa)
Fine woven reed mats.
💡 Craft shops
Dried tuna (Maldive fish)
Smoked, dried tuna used in local cooking.
💡 Local Market