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 Maldives
Islands
Surfing
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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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