Cheat Notes: Maldives

Northern Atolls – The Northern Atolls are typically divided between the North & South Male Atoll, both offering a pretty good mix of lefts and rights, with some of the standout waves being Jails, Lohis, Honkeys, Sultans, Cokes, Riptides & Foxys. The Male Atolls are hardly ever flat and surf generally ranges from 2ft – 8ft throughout the SW monsoons. While the North Male Atolls have the highest concentration of waves, they also have a higher concentration of resorts, camps and charter boats to contest with…although rare, the uncrowded super session does still happen in these parts.

Central Atolls – Not as well-known or as frequented as the Northern Atolls but it is slowly increasing in popularity with surfers. It is made up of 4 atolls which all produce amazing quality waves where you can find something in most swell directions and wind.

Some of the stand-out spots include Inside and Outside Mikado, Ying Yangs, Refugees, Machine and Vodi point.

Far less traffic frequents the Central Atolls and with only a handful of surf charters who understand the reef, weather patterns and waves in this area you are in for a great uncrowded surf adventure. 

Outer/Southern Atolls – Few surf boats and resorts equal uncrowded line up after uncrowded line up. Of all the Maldives regions, the Outer Atolls is the most remote and resembles that of a Mentawai boat trip as you regularly pull up to empty line ups peeling down un-inhabited island point.

The Outer Atolls is made up of two distinct atolls called Huvadhoo and Addu Atolls. Huvadhoo is best known for waves like Beacons, Castaways, Tiger Stripes and Blue Bowls which are all absolute world class reef breaks that barrel down palm fringed islands. Addu Atoll is the furthest South atoll which picks up a lot of swell but is also left exposed to a variety of winds. Well known spots in Addu include Shangri-La’s, Approach Lights and Madihera.

The best way to surf the Outer Atolls is by surf charter and it is very unlikely you will ever share the line up with another boat with so many options to choose from.

It is very rare that you will need a bigger board or a gun in the Maldives. There are waves which pack a punch when its double overhead but because the swell travels over such a long & interrupted distance the waves are usually ruler edge and easier to paddle into. The reefs aren’t quite as steep as that in Indonesia which makes for easier take offs, rather than squared-out bottom dropping takeoffs from the sky.

The biggest board you should take is a step up (If you usually ride a 6’0’’ take a 6’3’’).

Take your standard performance board, the board you love to surf in more powerful waves and one that is responsive and manoeuvrable.

Your third board is often a choice between a back up performance board in case you damage one OR a fun board you would ride at home in small stuff. These boards regularly become your go to board if its 3ft or less.