MALDIVES – NORTH MALE ATOLL

There are principally 2 major surfing areas in the Maldives:
The North Male Atoll (season: April-October)
Outer Atolls (season: Feb-Apr)

The North Male Atoll contains the more well-known breaks such as Lohis, Cokes, Chickens, Sultans, Jailbreaks, Honkys and Ninjas. These breaks offer a mix of rights and lefts for both the recreational and the high performance surfer, averaging 3-8ft and featuring some long point breaks as well as some hollower reefs.

Unlike most destinations around the world the North Male breaks can be accessed by one of 2 means: surf charter boat, or from the newly remodeled 4.5-star Hudhuranfushi Island Resort. This gives the traveler two completely different travel experiences even though most of the charter boats surf similar breaks in the Northern Male Atolls (with exception of Dreamcatcher II and Handhu charter boats that venture down to the Inner Atolls, 2 days sail south of the North Male Atoll).

The Hudhuranfushi Island Resort is an ideal option for couples, families or upscale travelers who desire the luxury of a 4.5 star international class resort which offers private beach and overwater bungalow accommodations, gourmet cuisine and wines, scuba diving, watersports center, and a plethora of other resort facilities, amenities and services. Staying at Hudhuranfushi also offers at least 2 distinct advantages over going with a charter boat.

#1 Exclusive access to Lohis, the lefthand reefbreak on the island itself (home to the WQS Maldives contests).

#2 Ability to schedule morning and afternoon surf sessions to break of your choice throughout the North Male Atoll (multiple boats depart Hudhuranfushi Resort in the mornings and afternoons daily).
The resort option gives you access to the wave out front, Lohis, a high performance lefthand reef/point. The resort also has surf transfers twice a day to the other waves in the region. Normally guests of the resort end up surfing a little less and decide to partake in some of the other actives that the resort offers. With multiple land based sports, wind and water sports, Hudhuranfushi offers nonsurfers and surfers alike a wide variety of options. If you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or romantic getaway, or trip with the family, you will make everyone happy with this selection!

Wavehunters Maldives Charter Fleet on the other hand offers surfers several advantages over land-based arrangements:

#1 Tactical advantage to surf ANYWHERE in the North Male Atoll OR w/some boats the South Male Atoll (the South Male Atoll is several hours sail from the Nth Male Atoll and offers uncrowded lineups but w/slightly less consistent slightly inferior waves to the North Male Atoll in exchange for no crowds whatsoever). Another tactical

#2 Ability to anchor at all North Male Atoll breaks and surf without crowds prior, between and after arrival of resort-based surfers generally midmorning (9am-noon) and (2pm-5pm). On anchor you definitely have the advantage with the dawn patrol while resort guests are still waking up and getting organized and the sundown session when the boats leave the breaks and hour before sunset to return to the resorts!

Charter boats offer the surfer direct access to the waves from the channel, so you can be ON IT whenever the waves get good throughout the day. The charter boats are large enough to have plenty of space to yourself, and give you immediate access to surfing, snorkeling or in some cases diving and the mobility to cruise throughout the islands of the Maldives.

Wavehunters Maldives Charter fleet includes 5 boats which service the following atolls:
Ocean Dancer: North & South Male Atolls (Group or individual bookings accepted)
Gaaviyaa: North Male Atoll (Group bookings only)
Handhu Fahli: North Male Atoll (Group or individual bookings accepted)
Handhu: North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll and Inner Atolls (Group or individual bookings accepted)

Handhu and Handhu Fahli also service the OUTER ATOLLS from Feb-Apr. As this is virtually an entirely different trip w/different waves and season Wavehunters has a separate website section devoted exclusively to the Outer Atolls.

General Info

The Country - Scattered across the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the gem like islands of the Maldives depict the rare vision of a tropical paradise. Palm fringed islands with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm water and coral reefs teeming with abundant varieties of marine flora and fauna and hosting a variety of world class waves that are now accessible to the travelling surfer. Measuring 820 km's north to south and 120 km's east to west, the closest neighbors are India and Sri Lanka. There are over 1,192 islands in the Maldives Republic. People who have never been to the Maldives often have trouble comprehending that there is almost NO land. It is sea with little pockets of coral dotted on top of an old volcanic mountain range. Only 202 of the islands are inhabited; there are no hills or rivers: the highest point above sea level is less than 10 feet.

The Climate - of the Maldives is warm year round, determined by the monsoons. The air temperature varies little with an average daily maximum of 90F and the minimum at 79F. There are two monsoon seasons: the northeast from November to April (February is the driest month), and the Southwest from the end of May to October. Water temperatures remain about 80F year-round.

THE SURF - The Maldives experiences a similar surf season to Indonesia. The best waves can be had from April to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur in June-September. During these months the conditions are predominantly off-shore all day due to the monsoonal winds from the Indian Subcontinent and the swell generated from the south. The surf generally ranges in size from 3-8 feet, however bigger days have been experienced. A great variety of reef breaks exist ranging in intensity from quite mellow shreddable walls to gnarlier hollow pits. There is something for everyone.
More info on the surf.

EQUIPMENT - You'll need to take everything. Nothing is available in the Maldives. Board size is a personal thing, but it would be wise to bring an assortment for various conditions. Recommended quiver is 2 boards: A normal shortboard and a mid-range gun (6-8 to 7-0). It rarely gets over 8ft. The warm crystal blue waters make it possible to swim without a wetsuit, but a vest or long-sleeved rashguard is advised for protection from the sun. Booties are a necessity due to the sharp coral found all over the atolls. A helmet is also recommended. Be sure to bring plenty of waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.