Maldives

The Maldives are a group of over 1200 islands formed from coral & located south west of India in the Indian Ocean.  It is a tropical island paradise with pristine clear waters and world renowned for its beautiful resorts with overwater bungalows. But the Maldives has something for every budget with local island surf camps and if you’re not travelling with a non-surfing partner then the best way to get the most out of a surfing trip in the Maldives is to get yourself on a surf boat charter.

This is life stripped down to simplicity – bright blue skies, all-year sunshine and fantastic diving and snorkeling in lagoons the temperature of bath water. The country embraces travellers from around the world allowing them the freedoms holiday makers require without compromising the islands’ deep Muslim faith.

The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in terms of both population and area; it is the smallest predominantly Muslim nation in the world. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet. It is also the country with the lowest high poin in the world, at 2.3 metres.

Surfing Maldives

During the last few years, surfing in the Maldives has attracted many surfers from all over the world, Australians included. The same swells hitting Indonesia deliver the goods to the Maldives except that the latitude is higher and the SE exposure is less convenient.

There are three main surfing areas;

• The North and South Male Atoll, during the South-West Monsoon season, from April to October. From May to August waves are strongest.
• Central Atolls standard waves are long clean rights with size varying between 3 and 6ft. During austral winter (April-October), it's never flat
• Southern Atolls in the South from February to April and from September to November and there are always waves in the area but the winds become very strong at other times.
  

The most famous breaks are in North Male’ Atolls. These points offer rights and lefts, whether for beginners or for professional surfers, with waves from 1 to 3 meters with long break points.

Surf spots can be accessed in two ways; by safari boats rented by groups of surfers, and by dhoni transferring surfers from the resorts. Although not all the spots can be accessed from the resorts.

Usually surfers prefer the cruise vessels to reach the different points in North and South Male’ Atolls, as they have no constraints and can choose among the most famous breaks. Don't leave without surfing Cokes, Jailbreaks (Himmafushi), Honky's and Sultans!

North Male

• Chickens - Eastern reef of North Male Atoll. This long, excellent left-hander has two sections with an enjoyable, thin, peeling, racing lip. Best winds are NW-NNE (offshore). It was named because of the poultry farm on the island and is only accessed by boat.
• Cokes – Also at the eastern reef of North Male Atoll, this wave is a short but intense ride that is perfect for barrels with a steep barreling takeoff, then a very shallow inside section that opens up even more than the takeoff. Ideal on a straight south swell and winds NW. Named after the Coca-Cola factory on the island, beautiful view of palm fringed beach from the surf zone with access by boat only.
  
• Lohis – Right out the front of Hudhuran Fushi Island Resort on the eastern reef of North Male 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.
  
• Ninjas - North Male Atoll break out the front of Club Med Resort. This slow right-hander is good for beginners and long-boarders. Best on W-NW winds with a moderate S swell. It was named Ninjas due to the Japanese riders that love the break.
  
• Honkey's - One of the most consistent waves of North Male Atoll off the island of Thamburudhoo which is uninhabited. This is an excellent, long, world-class right-hander. The take-off is a steep outside peak called 'Phantoms', which slingshots into a very long, walled, super fast section called the 'Pinnacles’. Rides are 100 to 150 meters. It is best on high tide with any wind from W to N and is only accessed by boat.
• Sultans – Easy spot located on the Thumuroodhoo atoll. Excellent and long right-hander that can become very walled and long but only with big swells from the south. One of the most consistent waves of the Male atolls that never closes out, even on large swells. It is best at high tide and with west to north winds.

South Male

• Kandooma Right - Right at your doorstep if you're staying at Kandooma Resort. You could throw a cricket ball on to the wave from the resort. A fast breaking right with a critical take off zone, this wave breaks over relatively shallow reef for 100 meters and provides many barrel opportunities. Likes a SE swell direction and SW to NW wind for best conditions.
• Natives/Foxys -  This wave is very fast and hollow breaking over relatively shallow coral. It's "Goofys Paradise" or if you're fast on the backhand you will love this wave. Breaks for 100 to 150 metres and provides many barrel opportunities. Best with SE swell and NW wind.
• Riptides - A right hander breaking for 150 meters on a reef in the middle of a channel. Need a transfer to this wave even though it is very close. The wave is aptly named as sometimes very strong currents can sweep you seaward so always check current conditions before settling in for a session. Great wave for the longboarders and shortboarders providing very carvable walls with the occasional hollow section. Best with S swell and SW wind.
• Twin Peaks - Iyaru Faru near the island of Gulhi, inhabited island, eastern reef of South Male 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, and the higher the tide, the better. Access by boat.
• Quarters - Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached to Anantara 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.
• Kates - Boduhuraa, uninhabited island near the Anantara Resort, eastern reef of South Male Atoll. Small short left, best in winds NW to N.
• Tucky Joes / Boatyards - Considered by those "in the know", to be the best point in the Maldives on it’s day. The take off can be steep and a very fast reaction is required to set up for the freight train ahead. Up to 200 mtrs long it offers many barrel opportunities, sometimes linking to offer long intense rides out of the sun. The reef is shallow and low tide can stop play. Prefers light NW wind and SE swell. Not for the faint hearted on a big day.

Temperature is consistent the whole year round 29-32’C during the day and 25-26’C during the night.  The Maldives climate can be divided into two periods, characterised by two monsoons :

1. The South-West Monsoon, from May to November, is humid and with persistent rainfalls. In this period the sea is heavy and winds are strong.
2. The North-East Monsoon, from December to April, has very little rainfall and lower humidity.

In the Maldives there are three main surfing areas;

1. The North and South Male Atolls - best during the South-West Monsoon season, from May to November. From May to August swells are strongest.
2. Central Atolls - standard waves are long clean rights with size varying between 3 and 6ft. During Austral winter (April-October), it's rarely flat
3. Southern Atolls - from February to April and from September to November

The tides and currents place a very important role in defining the surfing conditions in the Maldives. All the breaks occur near the tight channels of the atolls. The currents through these channels can become very strong. During the south-west monsoon, currents go towards the external reef of the atolls creating the best conditions for surfing. The swelling lines are usually perfect and the waves keep the same shape with all the tides.

The surf throughout the Maldives generally ranges in size from 4-8 feet, however bigger days have been experienced. The best waves in North Male can be experienced from May to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur in June/July/August.  The best waves in South Male usually come July to October.