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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 makeable. Best winds are NW-NNE (offshore). Named
because of a poultry farm on the island. Access by boat.
Cokes
Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital.
Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll:
A short but intense ride. A
big wave tube spot. A steep barrelling 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.
Lohis
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 even from Lohifushi Resort.
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.
Pasta Point
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.
Sultans (Thamburudhoo
Right)
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.
Honky’s (Thamburudhoo
left)
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.
Tomb Stones (Furana)
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.
Male’ Island Point
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.
Gurus
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.
Twin Peaks (also called
Left & Rights)
Gulhi, inhabited island,
Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll: A
mushy spot that seems to attract swells. Refractions in the waves
caused by the reef sometimes make for a slow but interesting ride.
Access by boat
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
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.
Content
(c) 2000 Vermillion International
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Maldives is a relatively new destination for surfers. There are a few island resorts on the atoll edge that has good waves for surfing. From amongst the tourism atolls, most known surfs are in North and South Male’ Atolls. The resorts on the eastern reef of the atoll are ideally placed for the avid surfer. While some resorts offer regular boat trips to surf breaks, it is advisable to check with the resort before making a booking. A more interesting option may be to check with cruise operators. Some cruise operators offer surfing cruises, giving you the opportunity to test some of the less
recognized surfs in the atolls further away from Male’. The recognized
surf season in the Maldives is the Southwest Monsoon, from May to October.
Weather in the Maldives is influenced by two monsoons; Southwest Monsoon from May to October and Northeast Monsoon from November to April. The Northeast Monsoon brings in fine weather and hence the period coincides with the high tourist season. However, the best surf is during the Southwest Monsoon. This has been recognised as the surfing season. The best months are from March to mid-November (tail end of the NE Monsoon through to the end of the SW Monsoon).