Surfing
Surfing has been very popular in the Maldives for many decades, it originally came into practise in the late 1970’s early 1980’s when Tony Hinde set sail from Sri Lanka with a friend in search for the perfect surfing environment. Unfortunately his ship went off course and became shipwrecked on the shore of Male’.
Having no choice he had to find shelter and began finding alternative methods to get around, he found the Maldives to be perfect for surfing and has loved it ever since. From then on the Maldives has become a popular destination of surfers from around the world to come and experience it in all its beauty.
The Maldives holds many surfing competitions throughout the year as the climate is very steady all year round, this in turn brings some of the most famous surfers to the Maldives – which also increases the tourism and overall atmosphere.
Be sure to do your research before you book your surfing holiday so you can guarantee you pick the perfect resort based on your requirements, some resorts offer assistance to the people who may not be strong surfers. On the other hand you would hate to be included in a beginners resort if you are confident when you’re out in the water.
If you plan on going to the Maldives to simply surf you can often pick great packages up which will give you the best experience when visiting, they will take you around the surfing hot spots as the locals know exactly where the best waves can be found!
A selection of popular surf spots in Maldives
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Chickens Requires speed. Long, excellent left-hander that has two sections. A pleasant thin, peeling, racing lip. However conditions must be perfect, otherwise it’s not make able. Best winds are NW-NNE (offshore). Named because of a poultry farm on the island. Access by boat. |
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Cokes 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, can be surfed at low tide if the swell is big enough. Ideal on a straight south swell and winds NW however, can be surfed in winds from any direction W – N. |
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Lhohi 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 or from Lohifushi Resort. |
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Piddlies / Ninjas 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 spoils it. Named Ninjas because many Japanese surfers seem to like it. Access by boat. |
| Sultans Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern reef of North Male’ AtollPerfect 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. |
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Honkey’s Excellent, long, world-class right-hander. One of the most consistent waves of Male’ 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 Male’ AtollLong, 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. Affected by strong currents in the Southwest monsoon from May to October. Access by boat. |
| Male’ Island Point Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island, Eastern Reef of North Male’ AtollLong, right-hander, offshore in winds S to W. Breaks rarely and only 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 Male’, the capital. Eastern reef of Male’, Southern tip of North Male’ AtollA 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. |
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Twin Peaks Sectiony left, which picks up more swell than most of the breaks in South Male’ Atoll. Can have a good end section in a big S swell. Best in N winds, the higher the tide, the better. Access by boat. |
| Quarters Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached to Palm Tree Island Resort. Eastern Reef of South Male’ 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, Uninhabited Island near the Palm Tree Island Resort. Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll: Small short left. Best in winds NW to N. |
| Natives Kandooma Resort, Eastern Reef of North Male’ AtollA short right, that needs a big swell. Best SW winds. |
| Riptides Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island. Eastern Reef of South Male’ AtollSmall 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. |
