Surfing in the
Maldives
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.
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Maldives host
international Surf competitions |
Surfing areas and 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.
Following are the some
of famous surf points in the Maldives:
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Maldives has
waves for everyone |
Chickens
Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili),
Uninhabited island. Eastern reef of North
Male’ Atoll.
Cokes
Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital. Eastern reef
of North Male’ Atoll.
Gurus
Male’, the capital. Eastern reef
of Male’, Southern tip of North
Male’ Atoll.
Honky's
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Eastern
Reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Kate's
Boduhuraa, Uninhabited Island near the
Palm Tree Island Resort. Eastern Reef
of South Male’ Atoll.
Lohis
Lohifushi Island Resort. Eastern reef
of North Male’ Atoll.
Male' Island Point
Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island,
Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Natives
Kandooma Resort, Eastern Reef of North
Male’ Atoll.
Piddlies / Ninjas
Kanifinolhu Resort. Eastern Reef of North
Male’ Atoll.
Quarters
Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached
to Palm Tree Island Resort.
Riptides
Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island. Eastern Reef
of South Male’ Atoll.
Sultans
Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern
reef of North Male’ Atoll.
Tomb Stones
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Adjacent
to ‘Sultans’. Eastern Reef
of North Male’ Atoll.
Twin Peaks
Miyaru Faru near the island of Gulhi,
inhabited island, Eastern Reef of South
Male’ Atoll.
If you want information
on a reputable surf holiday provide please
let us
know.
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