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Surfing is fast becoming a popular sport among
holiday makers visiting Maldives . Maldives has gained world
recognition as a great surfing destination after it hosted the famous
O'Neill deep blue Surfing tournament 3 years in a row. In
its formation, each of the Maldivian islands is blessed with a natural
house reef for the protection of the island. All waves which form in
the surrounding oceans break on to these reefs, making it an ideal
choice for surfers to show their flair.
May to October is the best time to enjoy surfing in the Maldives .
A selection of popular surf spots
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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. |
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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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Surfing
