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These places to visit Maldives in May bring a quieter charm to the islands, with soft sea breezes, scattered showers, and crystal-clear lagoons. It promises a tropical escapade before the monsoon sets in fully. These places offer just the right mix of tranquillity and adventure. This is when you’ll find fewer tourists, better rates, and thriving marine life. Whether you are drawn to sandbanks, diving spots, or island villages, May gives you room to explore at your own pace with the Maldives’ unmatched beauty.
10 Places To Visit In Maldives In May
This is the list of places to visit in Maldives in May, which offers calm waters, great diving visibility, and a peaceful atmosphere.
1. Dhigurah Island, South Ari Atoll
Photo: Asad Photo Maldives / Pexels
If you are searching for quiet, scenic places to visit in Maldives in May, Dhigurah Island offers an ideal escape. It is one of the longest local islands in South Ari Atoll, with soft white beaches. May is a favourable month for marine life encounters in this region, especially for spotting whale sharks and manta rays during snorkelling or diving trips arranged by local dive centres. Apart from water activities, you can take a cycling tour around the island, enjoy fresh Maldivian meals at family-run cafés, or walk along the untouched coastline during sunset.
How To Reach: Domestic flight to Maamigili Airport, then a 20-minute speedboat ride
Cost: Guesthouse rates start from Rf 550 / ₹3,000 per night
Best Time To Visit: 24*7
Nearby Hotels: TME Retreats Dhigurah, Bliss Dhigurah, White Sand Dhigurah
2. Thoddoo Island, Alif Alif Atoll
Photo: Alessandro Caproni / Wikimedia Commons
Known for its fruit farms and quiet beaches, the island offers a different experience of agriculture and tourism blending naturally. The island grows papayas and watermelons in abundance, and you’ll find fresh fruit stalls lining the village paths in May. The island also has a designated bikini beach for tourists, and the surrounding reefs are suitable for guided snorkelling. It is a peaceful place with clean roads, locally owned cafés, and a noticeable absence of overdevelopment. For those interested in culture, it’s possible to witness traditional fishing methods or even try a cooking session with the islanders.
How To Reach: 1.5-hour speedboat from Malé
Cost: Ferry ticket Rf 60 / ₹350; guesthouses from Rf 500 / ₹2,800
Best Time To Visit: 6 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Hotels: Thoddoo Inn, Summer Vibes Beach Front, Resten Inn
3. Fuvahmulah, Gnaviyani Atoll
Photo: Asaymirus / Wikimedia Commons
Fuvahmulah sits alone as a single atoll and has no surrounding lagoons, which gives it a unique geography and coastline. For travellers visiting in May, this is one of the few places to visit in the Maldives where tiger shark diving happens regularly. The underwater visibility is excellent this time of year, making it ideal for experienced divers. The island is home to two freshwater lakes, Bandaara Kilhi and Dhadimagi Kilhi. Inland roads are shaded and quiet, with tropical vegetation on both sides. Explore the black pebble beach, old fishing boats, and traditional homes with coral stone walls.
How To Reach: Direct flight from Malé International Airport (1.5 hours)
Cost: Flight fare Rf 1,300 / ₹7,500 approx; diving excursions from Rf 950 / ₹5,500
Best Time To Visit: 7 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Hotels: Marina Boutique Hotel, Veyli Residence Maldives, Calyx Grand Fuvahmulah
4. Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve
Photo: Frédéric Ducarme / Wikimedia Commons
Baa Atoll becomes a strong choice among the places to visit in the Maldives in May. Hanifaru Bay, a shallow lagoon within the atoll, sees its first mantas of the season this month. Snorkelling is allowed under guided tours, and the area is protected to limit visitor impact. The water remains calm in May, so boat transfers between islands are smooth and safe. Most travellers stay on Dharavandhoo Island, and excursions often include coral reef visits, dolphin spotting, and even local island walks. There are also reef conservation projects you can observe, especially around Maalhos.
How To Reach: Domestic flight to Dharavandhoo, then a short boat ride
Cost: Flight from Malé approx Rf 850 / ₹5,000; snorkelling trips from Rf 600 / ₹3,500
Best Time To Visit: Open all day; best explored 8 AM – 5 PM
Nearby Hotels: Kiha Beach, Dharavandhoo Stay, Biosphere Inn
5. Ukulhas Island, North Ari Atoll
Photo: Ukhulhas / Wikimedia Commons
Ukulhas is one of the few local islands that has gained attention for its strong focus on cleanliness, waste management, and reef conservation. It is one of the serene places to visit in Maldives in May. Visitors often see reef sharks, stingrays, and turtles. The beach is clean with small cafés run by local families serving grilled fish and coconut-based dishes. Rent a bicycle to move around the island or walk the main street lined with palm trees and small shops.
How To Reach: 90-minute speedboat from Malé or 4-hour ferry
Cost: Speedboat Rf 400 / ₹2,300; budget stays from Rf 520 / ₹3,100
Best Time To Visit: 6 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Hotels: Ostrov Hotel, Ukulhas Villa, Ranthari Hotel & Spa
6. Villingili Island, near Malé
Photo: Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons
Villingili is a great option among the quieter places to visit in Maldives in May. There are no resorts here, so you can experience the authentic island life. May brings slightly overcast skies and short showers, but the beach remains calm, and swimming is safe during most of the day. Villingili is also home to the highest natural point in the Maldives, a small hill that locals refer to with pride. You can take long shoreline walks, photograph colourful fishing boats, or spend your afternoon under coconut trees without tourist crowds. It’s ideal for a peaceful day trip or a short stay.
How To Reach: 10-minute ferry from Malé (every 15 minutes)
Cost: Ferry fare Rf 3 / ₹20
Best Time To Visit: 6 AM – 7 PM
Nearby Hotels: Sala Boutique Hotel (Malé), The Somerset Hotel, Mookai Hotel
7. Gan Island, Addu Atoll
Photo: Avi1111 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Gan Island lies at the southern end of the Maldives and offers a different kind of travel experience. It was once used as a Royal Air Force base, and old buildings and airstrips from that time remain. Travellers interested in both nature and history will find this island different from the rest. It is one of the few places to visit in Maldives in May where you can cycle across multiple islands linked by causeways. You can stop at old war monuments, small cafés, and natural lagoons.
How To Reach: 2-hour flight from Malé to Gan International Airport
Cost: Flight fare approx Rf 1,200 / ₹6,800; cycle rentals Rf 30 / ₹180
Best Time To Visit: 9 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Hotels: Equator Village, Wave Sound by 3S Maldives, South Palm Resort
8. Maafushi Island, Kaafu Atoll
Photo: Nicolai Edgar Andersen / Wikimedia Commons
Maafushi is one of the most well-known local islands and remains one of the busiest places to visit in Maldives in May. You can join day trips for snorkelling, dolphin watching, or even sandbank picnics. The island has a designated bikini beach for tourists, and the lagoon is safe for swimming throughout the day. Maafushi stands out for its various water sports options available, like jet skiing, parasailing, and diving. Walking along the shore in the evening, you’ll find souvenir shops, cafés, and even live music at some guesthouses.
How To Reach: 35-minute speedboat from Malé
Cost: Speedboat Rf 350 / ₹2,000; stays from Rf 600 / ₹3,500
Best Time To Visit: 7 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Hotels: Arena Beach Hotel, Kaani Grand Seaview, Triton Prestige Seaview
9. Vashafaru Island, Haa Alif Atoll
Photo: Kirill Flerov / Wikimedia Commons
Vashafaru is a small, peaceful island located in the northernmost part of the Maldives. It remains outside the usual tourist radar, making it one of the quieter places to visit in Maldives in May. The island is ideal for travellers who want to experience local life in a slow, natural setting. In May, the skies are slightly overcast, but the sea remains calm, which makes boat travel from the nearest airport safe and scenic. The beaches here are untouched and often empty, with soft sand stretching into shallow, clear waters. Traditional wooden boats are still built on the island.
How To Reach: Flight to Hanimaadhoo Airport, then a speedboat
Cost: Total journey costs around Rf 1,400 / ₹8,000
Best Time To Visit: 8 AM – 5 PM
Nearby Hotels: Vashafaru Inn, Cerulean View Residence, Viluveli Retreat
10. Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu Atoll
Photo: seefromthesky / Wikimedia Commons
Kudahuvadhoo is a quiet island with a strong cultural presence, one of the hidden places. Among the places to visit in Maldives in May, it stands out for its coral-stone mosque ruins, carefully laid blocks believed to date back to pre-Islamic times. The coast is famous for serene beaches where kayaking and lagoon swims are peaceful. May weather here is humid with brief showers, but most of the day remains clear. A few cafés offer fish broth and breadfruit chips, and it’s easy to walk from one end of the island to the other in under an hour.
How To Reach: Domestic flight from Malé to Kudahuvadhoo Airport
Cost: Flight Rf 1,100 / ₹6,400 approx
Best Time To Visit: 9 AM – 5 PM
Nearby Hotels: RIU Atoll Maldives, Dhaaluy Inn, Kudahuvadhoo Inn
Choosing the right places to visit in Maldives in May can shape your entire trip, especially during a season that blends good weather with quieter shores. Whether it’s the cultural calm of Kudahuvadhoo, the reef encounters of Dhigurah, or the simplicity of Villingili close to Malé, May lets you enjoy the Maldives without peak season crowds or inflated prices. Explore more such packages offered by TripXL for unforgettable adventures and tours.
Cover Photo: Asad Photo Maldives / Pexels
