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.
Cruise operators offer surfing cruises, giving the opportunity to test some of the less recognized surfs in the atolls 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 which put her as a world surfing destination. |
| SURFING AREAS & CONDITIONS |
Dhonveli Beach and Spa fomerly Thari Village, is reputed to be the best surf stop-over in the Maldives. The resort has access to two of the best surfs in North Male. Surfers are given accommodation at Dhonveli Beach and Spa itself and in the nearby resorts.
If you want to surf outside of North Male' atoll, you will have to book a reservation on a live aboard. Pasta Point, is a long peeling left with exclusive access to Thari Village. Five miles away you find the Honkys and Sultans. Honkys is a long wrapping left and is reputed to be the best wave in the Maldives. Sultans is a right with barrels.
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 Sep 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 equipment available.
Chickens
Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), Uninhabited island. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll:
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
Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital. Eastern reef of North Male’ 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, 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.
Named after the Coca-Cola factory on the island, beautiful view of palm fringed beach from the surf zone. Access by boat.
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Lhohi
Lohifushi Island Resort. 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. Named after the island resort Lohifushi. Access by boat or from Lohifushi Resort.
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Piddlies / Ninjas
Kanifinolhu Resort. Eastern Reef of North Male’ 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 spoils it. Named Ninjas because many Japanese surfers seem to like it. Access by boat.
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Sultans
Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern reef of North Male’ 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.
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Honkey’s
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll
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.
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Tomb Stones
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Adjacent to ‘Sultans’. Eastern Reef of North Male’ 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. Affected by strong currents in the Southwest monsoon from May to October. Access by boat.
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Male’ Island Point
Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island, Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll
Long, 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.
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Gurus
Male’, the capital. Eastern reef of Male’, Southern tip of North Male’ 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.
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Twin Peaks
Miyaru 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 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.
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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’ Atoll
A short right, that needs a big swell. Best SW winds.
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Riptides
Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island. Eastern Reef of South Male’ 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. |
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