Maldives Surf Resorts: Which is the best for you? Full Guide 2024
The surf in the Maldives has become world-renowned among surfers for the perfect reefs fringing the stunning atolls that make up this remote chain of low-lying islands. Since first being surfed in the 80’s by surf pioneer Tony Hussein Hinde, the perfect peeling waves and crystal clear barrels have been calling surfers to their shores.
With so many waves spread across a large area of ocean, knowing where to go and when makes all the difference for getting the best waves! In this guide, we have laid out everything that you would need to know about every surf resort in the Maldives!
Picking the right resort is essential to make to most of your trip and alongside this guide, AWAVE Travel’s Expert Surf Travel Team are here to help! Speak with one of our team today for help finding your perfect surf trip in the Maldives.
Maldives Surf Regions
The Maldives can be split into 5 main surfing regions, each one with its own distinct season for traveling. These areas are North Male, South Male, Central Atolls, Southern Atolls, and Northern Atolls. The main season for surfing the Maldives runs from February to November. During this time you will be able to find waves somewhere throughout the atolls, with swells even coming outside of this season for this ready to jump on a plane at short notice!
Maldives Surf Regions, Seasons and Resorts
- North Male Atolls – March – November with peak swells May – September
- Hudhuranfushi Surf Resort – Lohis
- Cinnamon Dhonveli – Pasta Point
- Four Seasons – Sultans
- Club Med Kani – Ninjas
- Kuda Villingili – Chickens
- South Male Atolls – May – September with peak swell June – August
- Holiday Inn Kandooma – Kandooma Right
- Anantara Dhigu and Veli – Quarters
- Central Atolls – March – November (depending on resort)
- Niyama Private Islands – Vodi
- COMO Maalifushi – Mikado
- Six Senses Laamu – Yin Yang’s
- Southern Atolls – March – May and September – November. Bigger surf on offer between June – August!
- AYADA Maldives – Blue Bowls
- Northern Atolls – Best May – September with peak swell June – August
- Soneva Fushi – Secret Spots
Surf the Classic Maldives waves in North Male Atoll
Best Monts: March – November
North Male is the classic surf area in the Maldives and the closest to the international airport. This wave-rich area has been drawing surfers to the Maldives ever since its discovery! There is a wide range of quality waves in the region which attracts all kinds of surfers. Unfortunately, this easy access and availability of accommodations do mean the area can get crowded!
The Season for North Male runs from March to November with the peak swell months of June-August getting the biggest swells! Wave-wise North Male is an intermediate plus, surfers dream but with waves to suit all levels!
North Male Waves:
- Pasta Point – The wave that started it all, a long left-hander with an amazing wall and tube sections. You must stay at Cinnamon Dhonvelli and book through a Registered Surf Travel Agency to surf here
- Lohis – World-class left-hander, breaking privately for Hudhuranfushi! You must stay at the resort and book through a Registered Surf Travel Agency to surf here
- Cokes – A world-class right-hander breaking on Thulusdhoo, expect fast walls and barrels
- Chickens – Long walling left that can barrel breaking on the opposite side of the channel to Cokes
- Sultans – Classy right-hand reef break
- Honkys – Quality lefthander breaking next to Sultans
- Jailbreaks – Intermediate friendly right-hand reef break on the Island of Himmafushi
- Ninjas – Perfect right-hander for beginners on small days and for aspiring intermediate surfers!
Check the surf forecast here for North Male!
Enjoy Quieter Waves in South Male Atoll
Best Months: May – September
Less busy than its neighbour North Male, South Male is a real gem for the ones looking for more user-friendly waves in the proximity of the international airport. The atoll has a great variety of waves for all levels, from more mellow breaks to hollow and barreling waves.
Being quite protected from the swells, the Season for South Male is much shorter compared to the other areas of the Maldives. The prime months for surfing are June to September, with the shoulder months being more suitable for beginner/intermediate surfers.
South Male Waves:
- Kandooma – The only private right-hander wave in the Maldives delivering epic barrels and long rides. You must stay at Holiday Inn Kandooma Resort to surf here
- Quarters – A fun right-hander with two sections, suitable for all levels of surfers!
- Foxies/Natives – Fast and hollow left-hander breaking on shallow reef providing many barrel opportunities
- Riptides – Right-hander wave with playful walls breaking for 150 metres on a reef in the middle of a channel. Beware of strong currents!
- Gurus – Left-hand reef break picking up the most southerly swells. it has a long, fast, workable wall.
- Twin Peaks – the reef here breaks left and right. The left is best on high tides, the right is more consistent and popular among local surfers.
- Kates – short left-hander which needs a big swell to start working. Nice, steep take-off with a fast wall.
Have a look here for the forecast for the only private right-hander in the Maldives, Kandooma Right!
Escape the Crowds in the Central Atolls
Best Months: March – October
The Central Atolls are located due south of North/South Male and where the crowds really start to thin out. In this region, there are very few budget options so the majority of surfing is done from luxury resorts or onboard boat charters. Generally, the waves are more spread than in the North Male area. With reef passes facing almost every direction, there is very rarely not an offshore wave here!
The Central Atolls follow a similar season to that of North Male, with the best waves breaking March – November. Swell usually peaks in the months of June – August, when the larger swells arrive. We recommend the Central Atolls for all levels of surf looking for adventure and quieter surf!
Central Atolls Waves:
- Vodi – Experience the pleasure of a private wave at Niyama. This super fun left breaks directly on the resort island just for their guests
- Ying Yangs – A pretty special righthander located in Southern Laamu, can produce big barrels and beautiful walls
- Mikado’s – Two distinct right-handers (Inside and Outside) offer fun waves for all levels
- Kasabu – Super playful righthander breaking near to Vodi
- Machine – A beautiful right, that when conditions align is one of the most perfect small waves you will ever see
- Secret Spots – Tons of secret spots that we won’t share with you here!
Surfing in the Remote Southern Atolls
Best Months: March-May and September-November
The remote Southern Atolls are approximately 350 miles from the capital of Male and offer unspoilt nature, beautiful waves and much lower crowds. This area is exposed to all swell, so gets the largest surf in the country. The best months here are March-May and then again, September-November. In the months in between, good surf can be found but it is usually quite big and can be very windy!
There is only one resort in the area and very few charter boats travel to the area due to the expense. This means that the lineups are significantly quieter year-round than North Male!
Southern Atolls Waves:
- Blue Bowls – a fast and well-shaped right-hander that is very consistent
- Love Charms – a long left-hander breaking over a well-covered reef
- Two Ways – A-frame peak, good for beginners to intermediates when small
- Tiger Stripes – Quality left, breaking over beautiful coral
- Beacons – Arguably the Maldive’s heaviest right, deep tubes are on offer here when conditions align
- Secrets Spots – more waves are waiting for you in the right conditions with a good guide
Surfing in the Remote Northern Atolls
Best Months: May-September
The Northern Baa Atoll is known for having the least crowded and most unexplored surf in the Maldives, with waves that neither have a name! Generally receiving smaller surf than the rest of the Maldives, with the peak surfing months being July-August, the waves here are great for all levels.
Northern Atolls Waves:
- Soneva Surf Point – fun right-hander breaking just outside the overwater villas of Soneva Fushi
- Secrets Spots – there many waves here waiting for you in the right conditions with a good guide
How to get to the Maldives
All international arrivals to the Maldives arrive at MLE Velana International Airport in Male. From here you will either jump on board your chosen charter, take a speedboat to your resort, or camp if staying in North or South Male.
For trips starting in the more remote Central, Southern, or Northern Atolls, you would then take a domestic flight or seaplane to the starting point. For more information about arrivals, AWAVE Travel’s Expert Surf Team is on hand to assist you!