Surfing Guide to the Maldives

 

• Summary

• When to go

• Surf Camps

• Where to stay

• Getting there

• Safety/Things to know

• Surf spots

Summary

Surfing in Maldives is second to none with amazing world-class waves, pristine water and a consistent swell season that lasts for almost 6 months.

 

Who said Maldives were only about floating resorts and 5-star tourism? This 1,200 islands archipelago should also be known for having some of the best reef breaks in the world and backpackers’ friendly home stays.

 
To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!

 
In fact, Maldives are not the first surfing destination that comes to everyone’s mind when planning a surf trip. However, the type and quality of the waves here are often compared to what we find in Fiji, Hawaii or Indonesia.

 

 

 

 

The Maldivian islands could be separated into two categories. The private islands and the public ones. Usually, the private islands are the ones where you see the floating resorts. However, there are still some very nice local islands with affordable places to stay. Of course, you have to be ready to accept the local Muslim rules on those islands such as no alcohol consumption and no bikinis on most beaches (some public islands will have a “bikini beach”).

 
At first, Maldives may look like a small country but when you start getting around using boats and seaplanes, you realize how big the archipelago really is.

 
For surfing, the best options in the North Male Atolls that are relatively close to the capital city are Himmafushi, Dhiffushi and Thulusdhoo. They are all fairly close to breaks like Cokes, Pasta Point, Jailbreak, Sultans and Honkey’s.

 
If you are keen to go a bit further away from the capital city, the Southern and Central Atolls also have incredible waves waiting for you such as Approach Lights, Castaways and Blue Bowls (Southern) or Ying Yang, Refugees and Mikado (Central).

 

As you get further away from Male, crowds are significantly reduced and the extra effort of getting a long ferry or an expensive seaplane will be greatly rewarded.
 
 

 

When to Surf Maldives

The best time to surf the Maldives is from April to October when swells are way more consistent and sizable. You can still catch some smaller, yet great waves in the off season, but you have to expect a lay days in between swells.

 

 
 

 

Surf Camps in Maldives

Find an incredible surf camp in Maldives, starting at US$432

 

 

Where to stay on a surf trip in Maldives

On a surf trip to the Maldives, finding the best island can seem like a hard task. North Male is the most accessible part of the Maldives with decent waves and many islands have great waves without being to far from Male. Here are four public islands with affordable places to stay and surf as much as you physically can.

 

Thulusdhoo : Cokes Surf Camp is a great place to stay on this island just a bit further north of Himmafushi.

Dhiffushi : Araamu Holiday and Spa

Dhonveli : Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is the only place to stay to have access to Pasta Point.

 

Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Maldives!

 
 
 

 

Getting there

Fly into Male and take a ferry, speedboat or seaplane ($$$) to your desired island. Most people underestimate how huge the Maldives are. A ferry from Male to the southern atolls can take days.
 

 

Safety/things to know

-Respect the Muslim culture on the public islands
-Tropical storm season peaks from June to August
-Bring a first aid kit, reefs are sharp
 

 

Surf Spots in Maldives

Jailbreak

Here is a dreamy right-hander just off the reef of Himmafushi that provides classic Maldivian rides. Jailbreak is also one of the few breaks in Maldives that don’t require a boat to get to (although it is far more convenient to do so).
 
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : N/A
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : NE
Optimal wind direction : W
 

Honkey’s

A 5 minute boat ride from Himmafushi is a world-class setup right off the island of Thanburudhoo. On one side is Honkey’s, another long left-hander with multiple different sections to play with. Honkeys’s wraps up around the island and builds up throughout the ride which is perfect to gain speed and set up maneuvers.
 
Wave direction : Left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Low
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : SSE
Optimal wind direction : N
 

 

Sultans

Direct neighbor to Honkey’s, it is just as punchy and dynamic. They both actually are the same wave but one goes right of Thanburudhoo while the other one goes left. A perfect combo for a great session…Many surfing tours stop here as it is a cornerstone of North Male surfing.
 
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : NW

 

 
Chickens

Chickens is a fast and powerful wave but also one of the longest in the North Atolls. It offers great tube opportunities as well as a good wall to set up maneuvers on. It takes a bigger swell to work compared to what you can find at Pasta Point for example.
 
Wave direction : Left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : NW
 
 

 

Pasta Point

This one is a very consistent left-hander and also one of the best breaks in Maldives. Pasta Point is long, challenging and catches swells more than any other spots in North Male.
 
Wave direction : Left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : NW

Cokes

One of Maldives most popular waves due to its power and consistency. Breaks over a shallow reef and should be attacked by skilled surfers only.
 
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid
Skill level : Advanced
Optimal swell direction : S
Optimal wind direction : NW

Refugees

 If you are cruising around the Central Atolls, Refugees could be a good option for you although there are still many other waves to be found that are not mentioned in our guide.
 
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : NNW

Castaways

Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : High
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : SW
Optimal wind direction : N

 

Blue Bowls

Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : S
Optimal wind direction : N