surfing_in_maldives

Surfing in Maldives

Highly consistent Indian Ocean South swells make the Maldives one of the planet's most consistent surf zones. Almost every trip offers quality surf every single day. All waves peel mechanically over perfectly contoured, coral reefs without the shallowness and danger found at many other surf destinations. Expect to surf waves peeling so perfectly you'll be in awe at how perfect Mother Nature can be. Waves can be enjoyed by both shortboarders and longboarders.

This is a place you can ride the best waves of your life without fearing for your safety. And if your home surfs are short beach breaks, you'll love the long rides (typically 100 to 300 metres) that allow time to enjoy the magic as well as perfect that next turn.

Surf Breaks in Maldives

There are two major surfing areas in Maldives: the North Male Atoll and the Outer Atoll. The South Male’ Atoll doesn’t disappoint surfers either as it also has some amazing surfing sites. Surfers in Maldives are greeted with breaks offering a combination of rights and lefts. An average of 3 feet to 8 feet, some long point breaks and some hollow reefs are the main features of these breaks.

The North Male Atoll

Chickens: Located on the eastern reef of the North Male’ Atoll, it is near the uninhabited island, Villingilimathi Huraa. This surfing site is best surfed during high tides.

Cokes: Located on the eastern reef of the North Male’ Atoll and near Thulusdhoo

Lohis: With its location on the eastern reef of the North Male’ Atoll, it is near the Lohifushi Resort. It links up well on a big South East swell and high tides. Access is permitted only for the guests of Lohifushi Resort.

Jailbreak: This surfing site attracts surfers with its exceptional Long right. It also has the fastest wave in the Maldives, having long walls and three tube sections.

Ninjas / Piddlies: This surfing site is located near the Kanifinolhu Resort and on the eastern reef of the North Male’ Atoll. Its main highlights are its moderate swell and a good long board wave.

Sultans: Another popular diving site, Sultans is lies on the eastern reef of the North Male’ Atoll. Located near the Tari Village Resort, the attraction of this site includes a great peak takeoff which turns into a thick tube on the inside. It also has a great right with barrels over 4′.

Tombstones: The surfing site Tombstones lies adjacent to the Sultans. Located near the uninhabited island Thamburudhoo, Tombstones has a great long right which requires a big swell

Honky’s: The surfing site, Honky’s is located on the eastern reef of the North Male’ Atoll in Maldives. Like the Tombstones, Honky’s lies near the uninhabited island – Thamburudhoo. The big waves in this surfing point are the best in Maldives. This site offers a long wrapping left, and a perfect 150 yard ride with long walls and an inside section which stands bigger than the takeoff

Male’ Island Point: Located on the eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll, Male’ Island Point has a dry reef to surf on.

The South Male Atoll

The breaks found in the South Male’ Atolls are usually smaller than the breaks in the North Male’ Atolls. During a big swell, these points provide some excellent surfs.

The South Male’ Atoll breaks include

Quarters: This surfing site is located near the uninhabited island, Gulhigaathuhuraa.

Last Stops: This surfing point offers surfers with a fast right and a great bowl section.

Gurus: Located near the Southern tip of North Male’ Atoll and near the capital island of Maldives, Male’. This site offers surfers with a left that works well when there is a north wind and a big south swell.Quarters: This surfing site is located near the uninhabited island, Gulhigaathuhuraa.

Natives: Located near the Kandooma Resort, on the eastern reefs of the North Male’ Atoll. Surfers are provided with a short right, which works well with a South West wind and a solid swell

Twin Peaks: Located on the eastern reef of South Male’ Atoll, Twin Peaks picks up more swell than most of the breaks in South Male’ Atoll. Twin Peaks can be easily accessed by boat

Kate’s: Located on the eastern reef of the South Male’ Atoll, the Kate’s is an uninhabited island near the Palm Tree Island Resort.

Riptides: Located on the southern side of the Guraidhoo Island, Riptides is easily accessible by boat. The area has one of the best waves and is subjected to strong currents

The Outer Atoll

Many unexploited and rarely surfed reef breaks dot the Outer Atoll. Situated 300 miles to the South, the Outer Atolls can be accessed only by a surf charter vessel. Being a fickle zone, the right winds arise only during the time period of February to April and September to November. The Outer Atoll boasts of surf bigger by a few feet to the surf in North Male’ Atoll. It is more shallow and hollowed and akin to Indonesia Style breaks.

The breaks in the Outer Atoll include:

  • Castaways
  • Tigers
  • Love Charms
  • Beacons
  • Bluebowls
  • Five Islands
  • Two Ways

Surfing Season in Maldives

The surf season coincides with the south-west monsoon and runs from mid February to November when the best swells are generated by winter low pressure systems in the southern Indian Ocean . March and April provide a combination of excellent surfing and weather conditions.

The water is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit, though a light suit is a good idea, for protection from the sun and coral. Booties are essential for picking your way over exposed coral reefs, and a helmet is recommended.

Surfing Experiences

Surfing in the Maldives provides you with two options,

  • Either staying in a resort or
  • Booking a live-aboard surfing vacation on a charter cruiser

Resorts provide boats (Dhonis) to transport surfers out beyond the breaks up to three times per day for two hour periods whereas live-aboard offer surfers the chance to surf the reefs for longer periods.