North Male Atoll

Visas

Every country in the world gets a free 30 day tourist visa on arrival.

Getting There

Male is a medium-priced ticket from Europe and SE Asia. Connections at the airport for inter atoll flights or board vessel for long voyage south. Air Maldives 26 seaters fly from Male to Kaadedhdhoo, 5 times per week (1h10min, $188 r/t), no charge for boards but 20 kg limit applies. Superb, scenic flight! Central Atols: Get a 30 day visa on arrival. Flying to Malé (MLE) is easiest from Europe (Emirates) or SE Asia (Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines.) From Malé fly to Kadhdhoo airport, using Island Aviation. Fly between Thursday and Saturday to ensure boards will fit in the cargo hold. The flight takes 40 minutes, costs c. $200 return and is very scenic. No departure tax. Laamu atoll is 220km (136mi) from Malé, and takes approximately 24 hours by sea. Boats in the Maldives don’t cruise at night, so this will take two days. The easiest option is to fly in. Southern Atolls- Gan has a newly opened international airport terminal, but most visitors come through Malé (MLE) on Emirates, Qatar, Singapore or Sri Lankan. Island Aviations Dash-8 domestic flight (boardbag friendly) to Addu (GAN) for $270 r/t, usually twice daily, 1h15min flight. Direct charter flights from Europe have begun through Hotelplan and Thomas Cook and direct from Sri Lanka (CMB).

Getting Around

North Male Atolls: Forget cars and roads, use dhonys, speedboats or even hydroplane depending on your budget. Tari constantly operates dhonys from 6am to 6pm to nearby spots, while other resorts work business hours (9h-12h, 14h-17h) and may charge extra. Huvadhoo Atoll From Kaadedhdhoo, there are 2 main boats complete with experienced Aussie surf guides. The new Horizon II is one of the few surf charter boats to provide A/C twin cabins, a reliable dingy, plus a 30' dhoni, allowing 2 surfing groups, and flexible fishing trips ($1950/10d) -Atoll Adventures). Other regular boat is 85' Orca ($1400/12d), or travel down with Voyages Maldives ($85/d). Central Atolls: There are planned resorts in the Thaa atoll, and the possibility of a guesthouse opening at Mikado, but the majority of waves in this area are surfed using live aboard boats. Two boats currently operate in this area – the Maldivesurf Maha boat ($150/day) and the Tropicsurf Blue Lagoon ($295/day.) Southern Atolls There are no live-aboard charter boats. Stay in Equator Village and travel around by dhoni (Equator should run one for $125/day for the boat). It takes 15min for the Vilingili breaks. You can also rent a van ($10/trip) for the western breaks. It takes 5h by dhoni to Foammulah or 1h speedboat ($800/rtn).

Accommodation

Stay in one of the few surf resorts, unless you can find/afford boat transport (speedboat $2000/d). North Malé atoll resorts are expensive, best prices (based on double occupancy) are Cinnamon Dhonveli at $431/n with surf transfers and Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi around $500/n (+ $175 surf pass). Guest-house (Himmafushi, Huraa, Thulusdhoo) offer $80-130/d pricing + surf transfers on top, but don’t serve any alcohol. Surf safari boat deals vary a lot depending on boat status, group size and the season (higher priced Oct-April): expect to pay between $120-350/d. Extras: beer ($5). Prices have increased rapidly as GST has increased from 3.5% in 2011 to 12% in 2014. Latest is the Green tax at $6/day.

Activities

Scuba-diving and snorkelling is among the world’s top 10 because of huge species variety, quantity of fish (no nets allowed in the country) and perfect water temperatures (27-28ºC/80-82ºF). Coral gardens had recovered after the intense 1998 El Nino bleaching and again in 2010, while 2015 was another bad year with higher ocean temperatures. Hand-line fishing (spearguns prohibited), either trawling or at anchor is just intense: Spanish mackerel, yellow-fin tuna, barracuda, wahoo, rainbow fish, trevally, batfish, jobfish and triggerfish. Visiting villages will only take 1hr since most islands are tiny.

Hazards & hassles

Despite loads of marine life it’s safe. Although having a gentle slope and being quite smooth, pay attention to shallow reefs. Tidal rips and intense sunburn can be more of a threat. Crowds in North Malé are now a reality and boat wakes at some spots (Sultans) can be a hassle. Regimented group timetables may get on some people’s nerves; talk with the captain/surf guide for optimum surf schedules.

Handy Hints

Bring 2 boards with spare fins, leash and at least 1 tropical wax bar for every 3 days. No need for a gun - take a fish instead. Boats don’t necessarily have snorkelling and fishing stuff, bring your own. Also a surf hat and good sunblock.Don’t bring alcohol or pork products.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.