Maldives

Where to surf in Maldives

It’s strange to think that the lowest, flattest country in the world is in fact perched atop one of the most impressive mountain ranges on the planet and that these lofty peaks are flecked with sand instead of snow. From the Lakshadweep Islands off India’s west coast all the way to the British Indian Ocean Territories of Chagos, the 2000m high Deccan Plateau is a result of two tectonic plates meeting. The magma spewed out, massive volcanoes were formed, before sinking back into the sea, leaving behind the rings of limestone and coral we now call atolls. Circular reefs and their passes have turned out to be a pretty good shape for wave creation and this chain just happens to have 26 atolls slung across 2200km (1370mi) of ocean that receives plenty of pulses from the Great Southern Ocean.

Uthuru (North)

The eight atolls north of Malé remain relatively untapped by foreign surfers for good reason. Long cruising distances in relatively rough seas with high monsoon wind factor, diminished swell exposure and a lack of quality set-ups (straight reefs or short shoulders) makes it a long shot for time restricted, travelling surfers. The main spots checked/surfed by the handful of exploration boat trips up to Haa Dhaalu atoll include the harbour channel rights and lefts at SW swell exposed Makunudhoo or small lefts across the channel at Kanditeem. The SE swell struggles to make it up to Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani and Noonu, which all conceal some inconsistent passes. Lhaviyani Atoll does fire on a strong SE pulse at the sweet righthander Kakuni, plus five other passes with various swell/wind combos. Raa Atoll has a few set-ups on the SW side (Mushigiri, Kudathulhaadhoo), but the quality waves are SE-facing at Rasputins (Kinolhas) and Shipyard Rights (Iguraidhoo). Baa Atoll has been surfed around Fares, Eboodhoo, Hithaadhoo and Eydhafushi.

Medhu (Central)

The Maldives surf scene revolves around the popular breaks of North Malé.

There’s also a number of breaks in the South Male Atoll area, including Quarters (Gulhi), Kate's (near Palm Tree Island Resort), Natives (Kandooma Resort, who claim exclusivity over the rights) and Riptides/Foxy’s, a chunky mid channel right, facing a racy, shallow left. Vaavu misses out on east coast surf due to its extended south coast, but Meemu has a little cluster of waves accessed by the Medhufushi resort and occasional safari boats. Veyvah holds fun, zippy lefts with great length of ride. Tucked in a bit, Mulah needs more swell to serve up user-friendly rolling rights for improvers plus. Mulhi Inside is a full wrap right, that needs big swell but is SE wind protected, while the long walls of Outside work from tiny and are offshore in SW winds.

The western atolls of Goidhoo, Alifu, Faafu and Dhaalu are wind exposed and cut off from the SE-S swell supply, but Maalhos and Kudahuvadhoo have lefts and rights respectively.

Thaa and Laamu atolls are nicely placed at the bottom of the central chain to pick off the swell.

Dhekunu (South)

Gaafu Dhaalu atoll is fast becoming popular with new charter and resort options. Crowds should never be a problem when travelling down to Addu atoll, where the waves get heavier and the remote islands give the feeling of real seclusion, almost 500kms from Male.