Male
Travelers come for a short, walkable look at daily life in the Maldives, with a 17th-century coral mosque, a harbor fish market and the airport link to the atolls.
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Malé is the capital of the Maldives, a Muslim-majority island nation of coral atolls in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka. The city sits on a small island in North Malé Atoll. Most international visitors land at Velana International Airport, which is on the neighboring island of Hulhulé. Malé is compact and easy to walk. Its best-known landmark is the Friday Mosque, built of coral stone in the 17th century. Nearby streets hold local markets, the fish market by the harbor and the Maldives National Museum.
Malé suits a day of city life, away from the resorts. Dress modestly on the streets. A one- or two-day stop works for travelers who want to see the capital before or after a resort or guesthouse island, or who need a night between flights. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most comfortable time to walk the city.
Male in five
- Get a SIM or eSIM at the airportDhiraagu and Ooredoo are Maldivian mobile operators. Buy a data pack from either one before you leave the terminal.Phones and eSIM
- Take the boat from Velana airport to MaléVelana airport is on Hulhulé island, separate from Malé. Confirm with your hotel how you will reach the city before you land.Getting around
- Cover shoulders and knees in MaléMalé is a conservative Muslim city. Outside the resorts, cover shoulders and knees, and keep swimwear for the beach or pool.
- Carry rufiyaa for small shopsCards work at hotels and larger shops, but small stalls take only cash. Withdraw rufiyaa from an ATM in the city before you head to the islands.Money and costs
- Buy insurance that covers seaplane and boat transfersMost resort islands are reached by seaplane or speedboat from Velana airport. Check that your policy covers these transfers, since some basic plans exclude them.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Rufiyaa (MVR)
- Entry
- Free visa on arrival for most passports; check the official immigration site Read more
- Emergency
- 119 police, 102 ambulance, 118 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected; some restaurants add a service charge to the bill
- Time
- UTC+5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, calm seasJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm seas
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, calm seasFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm seas
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Dry, hotMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Hot, drierAprilRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, drier
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Monsoon beginsMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 299 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon begins
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Wet, windyJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rough seasJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rough seas
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Wet, windyAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Showers, mixedSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 213 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, mixed
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°TransitionOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 219 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Transition
- NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Calmer againNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 294 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer again
- DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry season startsDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 273 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season starts
Average daily high and low in Malé, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Male
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 37%
Male
01:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°27°37%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Wed29°28°31%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Thu29°29°25%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 29°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri29°28°39%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sat29°26°57%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sun29°26°61%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 61%.
Updated 10:10 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 15.45 MVR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hulhumaléabout 15 to 25 min by ferryReclaimed suburb with newer hotels and a beach, close to the airport.
- Maafushiabout 45 to 60 min by speedboatLocal island with guesthouses, a beach and snorkel trips.
- Thulusdhooabout 1 hour by speedboatSurf island with cafés and reef breaks for a day on the water.
Before you go to Male
Rules for Male, checked
- Check entry rules, including passport validity and onward travel, on the Maldives Immigration site before you fly.Source
- Dress modestly outside resorts: cover shoulders and knees on Malé streets, and keep swimwear for the beach or pool.
- Alcohol is not sold in Malé's shops, and drinking in public is not allowed. Check drink rules with your hotel before you plan an evening.
Plan around Male
Atolls, resort islands and what each one suits
Read the guideGetting aroundAirport ferries, speedboats and seaplane transfers
Read the guideWhere to stayCentral Malé, Hulhumalé and resort islands
Read the guideVisas and entryFree visa on arrival and what to check before you fly
Read the guideMoney and costsRufiyaa, cards and cash-only stalls
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for maps, transfers and bookings
Read the guideMale FAQ
Is Malé worth visiting?
Yes, for half a day or an evening. The Friday Mosque, the fish market and the waterfront show city life that the resort islands do not.
Can I visit Malé as a day trip from a resort?
Usually not from a resort island. Most resorts sit on their own islands reached by seaplane or speedboat, so a day in Malé means a boat ride each way.
How many days do you need in Malé?
One full day covers the mosques, Sultan Park, Republic Square and the market. Add a second night if you want evenings in the city.
Where should I stay in Malé?
Central Malé if you want to walk to the sights. Stay near the airport if you fly out early, since the transfer is short.
Can you buy alcohol in Malé?
Not in ordinary shops. Drinks are served in licensed resort and hotel bars, so check with your hotel before you plan a night out.