Popular surf spots in Maldives

Chickens

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 make-able. Best winds are NW-NNE (offshore). Named because of a poultry farm on the island. Accessible by boat.

Cokes

A short but intense ride. A big wave tube spot. A steep barreling 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 from 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. Accessible by boat.

Lhohi

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. Accessible by boat or from Lohifushi Resort.

Piddlies / Ninjas

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. Accessible by boat.

Sultans

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. Best winds; N, but can be surfed with NE-NW. Best months - February, March and April. Accessible from the shore.

Honkey's

Excellent, long, world-class right-hander. One of the most consistent waves of Malé 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. Accessible by boat.

Tomb Stones

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. Accessible by boat.

Malé Island Point

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.

Gurus

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.

Twin Peaks

Sectiony left, which picks up more swell than most of the breaks in South Malé Atoll. Can have a good end section in a big S swell. Best in N winds, the higher the tide, the better. Accessible by boat.

Quarters

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

Small short left. Best in winds NW to N.

Natives

A short right, that needs a big swell. Best SW winds.

Riptides

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. Accessible by boat.

MALDIVES HOLIDAY SPECIALIST