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The Mahalo Surf Travel Guide to The Maldives

An Overview

Words by Kim Feldmann de Britto
Azure walls of water peel over colourful coral slabs and roll into a halcyon lagoon, nothing but the clear sky and palm-tree laden island in sight. You stare at it agape, jump off the boat and into the translucent sea, nothing but boardshorts/bikinis on. You paddle to the line-up and get ready for the next set to come.
This has always been the kind of scene most surfers replay in their mind’s eye whenever mooning over a surf trip. Nowadays, however, it is no exaggeration to say that most idyllic surf spots (warm, crystal clear water, empty line-ups and perfect barrels) have been thoroughly mapped out, if not deluged with crowds.
Perfect wave during a Mahalo boat trip - Maldives
This article is the first in a series of four; a customised surf travel guide to the Maldives by Mahalo Surf Experience. In this series, we will provide a breakdown of the different surf regions in the Maldives, sharing insights on specific surf spots and outlining practical information to help you understand what kind of trip to book.
Situated just above the Equator, in the northern section of the Indian Ocean known as the Arabian Sea, roughly 700km south-west of Sri Lanka and the tip of India, the Maldives remains one of the few places on Earth where you can find the necessary exoticism to experience such dream-like trip.
This island nation comprises around 1,190 islands (out of which less than 200 are inhabited), grouped in 26 atolls that sprawl across more than 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi). The distance from the mainland, coupled with the low landmass altitude (it is the world’s lowest country), exposes the Maldives to a wide range of weather phenomena, including ocean swells. In addition, the fact that the territory sits atop a north-to-south underwater ridge – forming the ringlike configuration of the atolls, with islets dotting the fridge and reef platforms encircling the islets – renders the ideal topography for waves to roll over. Because of its latitude, swells lose intensity by the time they reach the islands, thus producing the user-friendly, perfect waves the Maldives are known for.
Due to its tropical monsoon climate, the Maldives has two distinct seasons – the dry season (Northeastern monsoon) which occurs between January and March, and the rainy season (Southwestern monsoon) which lasts from April to October.
From March until October, waves galore throughout the Maldives. Once the monsoon transition has occurred in May, the Northern and Central Atolls tend to get the most perfect waves – which run until the end of the season in late October. Between March and April, during the Northeastern monsoon, the Southern Atolls offer the best conditions for surfing. Generally speaking, as a result of storms that develop further down in the Indian Ocean (mainly due to intense Roaring Forties activity) during the Southwestern monsoon, the largest swells reach the Maldives in June, July, and August.
Perfect Waves in the Maldives
Visiting surfers to the Maldives can expect to encounter reef breaks. Owing to the configuration of the atolls, the majority of surf spots in the country are found around islands that sit on the fringes on the atoll’s coral barrier.
Waves begin to break as the swell reaches the shallower waters of the reef, often running down the platform point-break-like, wrapping around the sandy shoreline. Such setup allows for long rides, manoeuvrable faces, and an easy paddle back to the line-up. It also refrains the waves from walling up or closing out.
The right-hand-left-hand break distribution across the Maldives is pretty even; but since various right-hand waves benefit from offshore winds surfers tend to surf more rights than lefts. Wave-size across the atolls ranges from 2 to 9 feet, averaging 4 to 6 feet, having the potential to reach up to 10 feet. Of course, the size will vary according to the region and the break setup.
Exploring the Central Atolls in the Maldives on a Boat Trip.
One of the misconceptions around the Maldives is related to the heterogeneity of its surf spots. When people say they will go “surfing in the Maldives,” they often visualise a single type of perfect wave over a single type of scenery. That, of course, is tantamount to saying “I’m going surfing in Portugal.” After all, given the extension of the archipelago, it should be taken for granted that variety is a linchpin in any Maldives surf trip.
Therefore, even if so many Maldivian waves may look similar on a photograph, a trip in the Northern Atolls near Male differs greatly to one in the Southern Atolls. Such is the surf-versatility of the Maldives that, in a single boat trip to the Central Atolls, for instance, we can find a wave for one of our guests to work on their cutback and, only a 10-minute dinghy ride, find spot congenial for another guest to improve backhand barrel riding.
Along those lines, when organising a trip to the Maldives it is crucial to note that the archipelago is an extensive, sprawled one. This means that getting from A to B will require either maritime or air travel, and while spots within the same atoll are not too far away from each other, travelling from atoll to atoll can take up to 10 hours. Keeping that in mind is vital when deciding what type of trip best suits your needs: resort stays or boat trips.
A Boat trip is the perfect option to explore empty islands in the Maldives
Choosing to stay at a resort usually entails catching a domestic flight from Male to the island closest to your accommodation, followed by a boat transfer to the hotel. This option is ideal for surfers who are not looking to move around too much, often those with less time to spare. Resort stays are also a great choice for beginners, as well as travellers who wish to partake in other activities during their sojourn. Mahalo Surf Experience currently works with Six Senses Laamu in the Central Atolls, and Ayada Resort in the Southern Atolls.
A boat trip, on the other hand, tends to be more suitable for people with more time on their hands and/or the urge to explore remote corners of the Maldives. A boat trip to the Central Atolls, for example, usually involves sailing down from Male to the respective destination island, exploring the region for the duration of your stay, and catching a domestic flight back to the capital. Those considering a boat trip to the Southern Atolls should take into account that the sail down can last up to 4 days each way – so flying domestically may prove more efficient.
Barefoot Surf Luxury at the Six Senses Laamu Resort in the Central Atolls of the Maldives
Another point of misconception revolves around the paradisical trait conferred to the Maldives. Unfortunately, it is not always that you will be surrounded by the palm-tree laden island and colourful coral reefs we mentioned at the beginning of the article. Some regions are more accessible than others, which causes both the atmosphere and the pristineness of the natural environment to be not completely untouched. That is when having a knowledgeable guide around pays off – which brings us to the third misconception about the Maldives.
The variety of spots, their configuration, their susceptibility of winds and swells…many are the factors that make a difference in successfully planning your surf trip. Regardless of who you are and how long you have, one thing is certain: you will want to get the most and best waves as possible during your sojourn.
Hence, having a guide on board will not only ensure that you will be at the right place on the right time, but also that your level of surfing will be taken into account when assessing what type of waves to search for. Moreover, being accompanied by someone with local knowledge as well as lifesaving qualifications (as it is the case in all Mahalo surf trips) provides you with that extra bit of security when jumping into the water.
Exploring the under water world in the Maldives while snorkelling
As a tropical paradise, the Maldives boasts extremely pleasing weather: temperatures both in and out of the water fall between 24-33°C/80-91°F, and there is always plenty of sunshine. Though the climate and the sun are some of the reasons the country attracts so many surf travellers, being so close to the Equator, they are also a potential hazard. Therefore it is important to keep yourself hydrated before, after, and during surf sessions, as well as apply high-SPF sunscreen or wear rash vests.
Fortunately, there are no official records of shark attacks in Maldivian waters. The majority of sharks in the Maldives are reef sharks who tend to feed away from the impact zone and leave humans alone so long they are undisturbed. The same goes for other sea creatures such as stingrays, lionfish, jellyfish, etc.
The only other hazards besides the sun are, therefore, the reefs. Still, most spots in the Maldives feature relatively flat reef platforms and deep waters near the take-off zone. So unless you are surfing on dead low tide chances are you won’t come close to touching it. That will depend, of course, on each particular break. To be on the safe side, bring a pair of booties along. Should you require basic medical assistance, the boat crew can aid. Otherwise, Male has modern medical facilities.
Stand up paddling is a great way to explore in between surf in the Maldives
Concerning customs regulations, both alcoholic beverages and drugs, as well as items such as spear guns and harpoons are strictly forbidden. Another thing to be aware of is that the Maldives is a Muslim country and dressing modestly is recommended, so try to cover your body from shoulder to knee when visiting public places.
It is important to prepare your equipment before boarding the flight since there are only a handful of surf shops in Male. Although we don’t encourage anyone to overpack, make sure you have the number and type of boards you need for the type of trip you’re going to. If this is a family holiday or if you are a beginner itching to catch your first barrel, two boards (a shortboard and a fish) should suffice. Those who want to push their limits on bigger swells or intend to explore the remote Southern Atolls could benefit from carrying an extra step-up board on top of the two high- performance ones.
Last but not least, we can’t overlook the fact that a trip to the Maldives doesn’t only mean surfing. Our team would be happy to organise other activities such as snorkelling, island sightseeing, cultural presentations, beach barbecue parties, whale shark or manta ray spotting, yoga practice, cocktails at a resort, stand-up paddling, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving.
Below is a brief breakdown of the three main surf regions of the Maldives which we will be covering in-depth in the following articles:

Northern Atolls

The Northern Atolls is the most popular and accessible region of the Maldives when it comes to surfing. Here, visiting surfers of all levels are bound to find the conditions they are looking for, whether going right or left, without having to travel far from the capital Malé. Subdivided into North Male Atoll and the South Male Atoll, the region claims the longest and most consistent waves in the country – as well as the most crowded. Spots like Jailbreaks, Pasta Point, Ninjas, andRiptides, are known for breaking year-round, improving throughout the summer months (June, July, August) and peaking in late August.

Location

Northern Atolls, Maldives

Getting There

AIRPORT – Velana International Airport
TRANSFER – Catch a ferry or domestic flight to the resort where you will be staying.

When to go

March till October

What to take

Your regular travel quiver and booties

Type of trip

Resort trip

Duration of trip

Minimum of 7 days

Level of surfing

Intermediate and Advanced

Highlight

Consistent swells, a variety of spots, and long rides

Downside

Very crowded

Central Atolls

The Central Atolls is the ideal region for those who seek the idyllic Maldivian setting and value less crowd over bigger waves – although swells still roll in with the same consistency and perfection.
Among them, the main ones to receive travelling surfers are the Laamu and Thaa Atolls. Spots such as Finnimas and Mikado (Thaa Atoll) and Ying Yang and Refugee’s Lefts/Rights (Laamu Atoll) attract surfers for their hollow and fast barrels. These conditions, however, are susceptible to the intensity of southerly swells and wind direction. But when it is on, the Central Atolls become the perfect combination of quality, fun waves and empty line-ups.

Location

Central Atolls, Maldives

Getting There

AIRPORT – Velana International Airport
TRANSFER – Touch down in Male and catch a domestic flight to Kadhdhoo Airport, followed by a boat transfer to the hotel (if opting for a resort stay). For boat trips, hop on the boat in Male and sail down to the Central Atolls.

When to go

May till August

What to take

Booties and a fast thruster or quad on top of your usual travel quiver

Type of trip

Resort stay (Six Senses Laamu) and/or boat trip

Duration of trip

Minimum of 10 days for boat trips; minimum 5 days for resort stays

Level of surfing

All levels! (Beginners should opt for a resort stay since it is often difficult to find beginner waves in boat trips)

Highlight

Fewer crowds than Northern Atolls but still accessible

Downside

Smaller waves than the Northern Atolls, yet not as beginner-friendly

Southen Atolls

Situated at the bottom of the Maldivian archipelago, the Addu and Huvadhoo Atolls compose the region known as the Southern Atolls. Because of its isolation and the ensuing higher cost of getting here, fewer surfers explore these islands. Consequently, those who do end up in the Southern Atolls are bound to have waves all for themselves. Despite generally featuring smaller waves in comparison to the Northern Atolls, the Southern Atolls are the most exposed to the mighty southern summer swells. Such influence, together with the atolls’ bathymetry, tend to produce faster, shallower, and hollower. In contrast, the region spots tend to be more susceptible to winds and need the right conditions to show their true colours. But when it’s on, it’s on.
Shangri-La and Approach Lights are some of the best breaks in the Addu Atoll. The spots of Tiger Stripes and Beacons, in the Huvadhoo Atoll, are renowned for being the most powerful waves in the Maldives.

Location

Southern Atolls, Maldives

Getting There

AIRPORT – Velana International Airport
TRANSFER – Touch down in Male and catch a domestic flight to Fuvahmulah Airport, followed by a boat transfer to the hotel (if opting for a resort stay). For boat trips, it is possible to sail from Male to the Southern Atolls (approx. 4 days each way) or fly domestically to Fuvahmulah Airport (approx. 50 minutes each way) and hop on the boat directly.

When to go

late February till April and August till October

What to take

Booties, helmet, and a step-up board for bigger days

Type of trip

Resort stay (Ayada Resort) and/or boat trip

Duration of trip

Minimum of 14 days for boat trips; minimum of 5 days for resort stays

Level of surfing

Intermediate and advanced

Highlight

Perfect and powerful waves with no one else around

Downside

Difficult to access, ergo more expensive
In the next article, we will take a closer look at the Northern Atolls and its surf spots.
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