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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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