The Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures year-round (26-31°C / 79-88°F). The dry northeast monsoon (December-April) brings the least rainfall and calmest seas, making it the most popular and expensive season, especially around Christmas and New Year. The southwest monsoon (May-November) is wetter and windier with a higher chance of short, heavy downpours, but also brings lower prices and fewer crowds, plus better conditions for manta ray sightings at cleaning stations. Even in the wet season, rain tends to arrive in brief bursts rather than all-day washouts.