Surf Maldives

Maldivians have been surfing using planks for a long time. However, modern surfing came to the Maldives in the late 70s. In 1973 Tony Hinde an Australian surfer took a break from surfing in Sri Lanka and together with a friend set sail for the Africa. He was never to reach his destination. His ship seriously off course was shipwrecked on the shore breaks of Male’. Tony discovered the thrill of surfing on the Maldivian reefs. He changed his name to Tony Hussein Hinde, married a local lady, opened his own surf agency and decided to stay for good.

The recent O’Neil Deep Blue Contests held in the Maldives has placed Maldives firmly on the world’s surf map. While most of the recognized surf breaks are in Male’ Atoll, there is certainly more to be discovered. Some resorts provide boats (Dhonis) to transport surfers out beyond the breaks up to three times per day for two hour periods whereas charters offer surfers the chance to surf the reefs for longer periods.

At Surf Maldives you can discover the exotic surf breaks either cruising in a surf cruise or in a resort hotel.

Surf Seasons

The best season for Surfing in the Maldives is determined to a large extent by the monsoon circulation. Each year there are two monsoons seasons, the north-east monsoon, (local term, “Iruvai”) from December to April and the south west monsoon, (local term, “Hulhangu”) from May to October.

The Surf Season runs from mid February to November when swells are produced by winter low pressure systems in the southern Indian Ocean. The early part of the season has the most stable weather, with light, favourable winds. Swell consistency and size improve from February, with March, April and May having very clean conditions.

Average Swell Sizes (in ft)

Water Temperature (Degree Celsius)

June to August have the most potential for big swells (the WQS contest is held in June every year), although tropical storms can be more common in these months.

September and October are also very consistent months for swell, with variable winds and tropical storms becoming less frequent. November is still quite consistent for small to medium size waves and the weather is usually perfect.

Surf Equipment

It is recommended to take everything you need. Surfing equipment is hardly available in Maldives or in resorts. Board size is a personal thing, but it would be wise to bring an assortment for various conditions. Most surfers may find a short fun board suitable for most conditions in the Maldives, but bring a longer board for bigger swells. Maldivian water is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit. A wetsuit or a shorty is not necessary. In this warm and crystal clear water. A rash guard or long sleeved T-shirt is highly recommended for sun protection. Booties are essential for picking your way on over exposed coral reefs, and a helmet is recommended.

It is difficult to find any spear surfing gear in the Maldives, so bring all the boards you might need. However a two boards quiver is sufficient, with a short board and a semi-gun (6’8’’ to 7’2’’) for bigger days.

It is recommended to bring plenty of waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher because Maldives is in equator giving you plenty of sun.

Surf Locations

Amongst the tourism atolls, most known surfs are in North and South Malé Atolls. The resorts on the eastern reef of the atoll are ideally placed for the avid surfer.
There are principally 2 major surfing areas in the Maldives;

The North Malé Atoll (season: April-October),
Outer Atolls (season: February-April, September-November).

The North Malé Atoll contains the more well known and surfed breaks such as Lohis, Cokes, Chickens, Sultans, Jailbreaks, Honkys and Ninjas. These breaks offer a mix of rights and lefts for both the recreational and the high performance surfer, averaging 3-8ft and featuring some long point breaks as well as some hollower reefs. The North Malé breaks can be accessed one of two means: surf charter boat, or from some of the resort islands.

The Outer Atolls, approximately 300 miles to the South, contain at least a dozen, potent world class reef breaks that are rarely surfed, and this zone is fickle, with the right winds occurring only in two narrow windows generally from February to April and September-November. This area can only be accessed by means of a well-equipped surf charter vessel. The surf in the Outer Atolls is usually a few feet bigger than the North Male Atoll, hollower and shallower, similar to Indonesia style breaks.

The best waves can be had from April to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur in June to September. During these months the conditions are predominantly off-shore all day due to the monsoonal winds from the Indian Subcontinent and the swell generated from the south. The surf generally ranges in size from 3-8 feet; however larger waves have been experienced. A great variety of reef breaks exist ranging in intensity from quite mellow shreddable walls to gnarlier hollow pits. There is something for everyone.

Chickens
Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), Uninhabited island. Eastern reef of North Malé Atoll:

Requires speed. Long, excellent left-hander that has two sections. A pleasant thin peeling racing lip. However conditions must be exact for the perfect ride. Best winds are NW-NNE (offshore). Named because of a poultry farm on the island. Access by boat.

Cokes
Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital. Eastern reef of North Malé Atoll:
A short but intense ride. A big wave tube spot. A steep barreling takeoff, then a very shallow inside section that opens up even more than the takeoff. Best on mid to high tide, however, it can be surfed at low tide if the swell is big enough. Ideal on a straight south swell and winds NW however, it can be surfed in winds from any direction W – N. Named after the Coca-Cola factory on the island, beautiful view of palm fringed beach from the surf zone. Access by boat.

Lohis
Lohifushi Island Resort. Eastern reef of North Malé Atoll
Good and hollow left-hander with two sections. Need big SE swells and high tides to work well. Best during NW-NE offshore winds. Named after the island resort Lohifushi. Access by boat from Lohifushi Resort.

Piddlies/Ninja
Kanifinolhu Resort. Eastern Reef of North Malé Atoll
Slow right-hander, good for beginners and long-boarders. Best on W-NW winds with a moderate S swell. However swells larger than 4 feet spoil it. Named Ninjas because many Japanese surfers seem to like it. Access by boat.

Sultans
Dhonveli Beach formally Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern reef of North Malé Atoll
Perfect long left, which picks up more swell and is more consistent than any other break. ‘Macaroni Bowl’- a second tube section, which develops after the fast take off section, mellows out for a cutback. ‘Lockjaws’ – if you are game try out this very fast and shallow end section, which comes after the ‘Macaroni Bowl’. Rides are 75 to 100 yards long. Reserved for the exclusive use of the resort guests ( strictly enforced by Tari Village Resort management). Best winds; N, but can be surfed with NE-NW. Best months – February, March and April. Accessible from the shore.

Honky’s
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Eastern Reef of North Malé Atoll
Excellent, long, world-class right-hander. One of the most consistent waves of Malé Atoll, which never closes out, even on the biggest swells. The take-off is a steep outside peak called ‘Phantoms’, which slingshots into a very long, walled, super fast section called the ‘Pinnacles’, over four feet. All three sections can be thrilling, almost insane tubes. Rides are 100 to 150 yards. Best on high tide with any wind from W to N. Access by boat.

Tomb Stones
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island ), Adjacent to ‘Sultans’. Eastern Reef of North Malé Atoll
Long, left-hander. Starts small and increases in size and intensity as it wraps 90 degrees around the island. A six feet wave on the take-off will end up at least eight feet on the end section, called ‘Fred’s Ledge’. Long rides and tubes through all sections. Best on low tides unless swell is huge. Best winds, ENE-N (this is the only wave that works on a ENE wind). Best swell, straight S. Best months for this wave, February, March and April. Is affected by strong currents in the Southwest monsoon from May to October. Access by boat.
Malé Island Point
Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island , Eastern Reef of North Malé Atoll
Long, right-hander. Best on South to West offshore wind. Breaks rarely and only on large swells. At three feet it has a dry reef to surf on. In the big swells of 1987, when many of the islands were flooded, this was surfed at a perfect six to eight feet.

Gurus
Malé, the capital. Eastern reef of Malé, Southern tip of North Malé Atoll
A couple of shifting peaks, popular with locals, riding surfboards and boogie boards. The reef picks up plenty of swell. Best in W winds. Accessible from the shore.

Twin Peaks
Miyaru Faru near the island of Gulhi , inhabited island, Eastern Reef of South Malé Atoll
Sectiony left, which picks up more swell than most of the breaks in South Malé Atoll. Can have a good end section in a big Southerly swell. Best in North winds, the higher the tide, the better. Access by boat.

Quarters
Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached to Palm Tree Island Resort.
Eastern Reef of South Malé Atoll: Really nice, fast little right-hander that picks up less swell than most other places. Best in winds W to NW. Named after the resort workers’ quarters on the island.
Kate’s
Boduhuraa, a Resort Island near the Palm Tree Island Resort. Eastern Reef of South Malé Atoll: Small short left. Best in winds NW to N.

Natives
Kandooma Resort, Eastern Reef of North Malé Atoll
A short right, requiring a big swell. Best SW wind.

Riptides
Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island . Eastern Reef of South Malé Atoll
Small reef in the middle of the channel on the southern side of the island; fast right-hander, one of the best waves in the area. The area is subject to strong currents. Best on W to SW winds. Access by boat.