If your idea of surfing is uncrowded seas, Maldives is the place for you to surf. Surfing was introduced 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 in the Maldives reef. He changed his name to Tony Hussein Hinde, married a local lady, opened his own surf agency and decided to stay for good. In the past locals did wave riding using wooden logs, wooden boards, etc in the islands of the Maldives.
We offer surfing cruises, giving the opportunity to try out some of the recently discovered surfs in the central atolls of the maldives further away from Male’ atoll. The recognized surf season in the Maldives is the Southwest Monsoon, from May to October.
The Maldives in recent years has attracted professional surfers. Maldives has hosted international surfing competitions and fund raising events branding the country as a world surfing destination as well.
Surfing areas and conditions
If you want to surf in the Maldives, the options are either to book yourself a reservation on a live-aboard surfing vacation on charter cruises (safari boats), in resorts – providing dhoni trips to surf points or stay at one of guest houses in Maldives rent out a local boat to the surf spots.
Cokes, is a very long right hander epic waves with an easy access from the island Thulusdhoo by boat trips and is reputed to be one of the best wave in the Maldives for right hander waves in North Male’ Atoll. There are few local guest houses and B&Bs available now to accommodate in Thulusdhoo Island. About half a mile away you find the Chickens. Chickens is a regional classic left producing waves from 3 feet up to 10 feet. Sultans is a right hander with barrels totally epic waves. Lhohis’s is just off the reef break of Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi Resort. The average size of reef breakers is 4-5 feet, rising to 8-10 feet during the surf monsoon. Surf monsoon is from late February to mid November, with the best waves coming in during March to May and then again in September till the end of November. Reef breakers are sometimes quite tricky to surf, the water is quite shallow on the surf and the coral beds sharp and protruding. Surfers are advised to bring all their equipment with them, as there are very few good surf equipments available. There are many undiscovered points in the central atolls of the Maldives as well as in Huvadhoo Atolls. Yin Yang in Laamu Atoll was a recent discovery first surfed by Callahan 1996 boat trip with Pat O’Connell and Satoshi Sekino, Yin Yang got epic during Oxbow seaplane trip in June 2004. Yin Yang is a long and typical outside typical reef corner right in a pass. Outside is a mellow wall, often cross shore, with safe rides in deep water. Then, the wave bends in the corner, mush out for a while, then wraps into one of the most critical sections in the Maldives. Inside section can be long and tubular, it can be fairly heavy too on pretty uneven reef, producing potential intimidating barrels on the first bend. Yin Yang Laamu Atoll produces waves up to 12 feet, an excellent spot for experienced surfers and is so uncrowded.
Here are some of popular surf points in the Maldives, Male’ Atoll:
Chickens
Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), Uninhabited island. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Cokes
Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Gurus
Male’, the capital. Eastern reef of Male’, Southern tip of North Male’ Atoll.
Honky’s
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Kate’s
Boduhuraa, Uninhabited Island near the Palm Tree Island Resort. Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll.
Lohis
Lohifushi Island Resort. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Male’ Island Point
Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island, Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Natives
Kandooma Resort, Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Piddlies / Ninjas
Kanifinolhu Resort. Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Quarters
Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached to Palm Tree Island Resort.
Riptides
Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island. Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll.
Sultans
Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Tomb Stones
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Adjacent to ‘Sultans’. Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Twin Peaks
Miyaru Faru near the island of Gulhi, inhabited island, Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll.
