Wavelength Surfing Magazine

The Maldives have always been known as a dream destination but its popularity amongst surfers is on the increase. However the Southern Atolls are less crowded, more powerful and have so many decent waves you won’t know where to start.

What a pleasant dilemma!

Where?

Huvadhoo Atoll is situated just above the Equator and roughly a forty-minute flight south of the better-known northern Atolls of the Maldives.

What sort of waves will I find?

Like the more well known northern atolls the Southern Atolls are all reef passes, shallow coral reefs with perfect peeling waves. Unlike the Northern Atolls though they receive more swell and the waves tend to be more powerful, however there are still plenty of mellow waves for intermediate surfers looking to push their performance levels a bit. Beacons is possibly the Maldives most powerful wave, so named as the bowling righthander is right in front of the low lying islands radio beacon. It’s a quality wave throwing a decent barrel before depositing the surfer into the channel. Other waves like Blue Bowls offers a super fun righthander whilst Love Charms is a bit softer but is fun none the less. All the waves are fairly close together and there are plenty of options for changeable wind conditions. 

Where does the swell come from and when is it best?

The swells come up out of the Southern Ocean and hence the Southern Hemisphere winter is the best time to go. Unfortunately though this coincides with the southwest monsoon, which makes for onshore conditions and tricky seas for boats. Because of this the best times are at the beginning and end of winter when the northeast monsoon blows lightly and gives more favourable conditions. March and April and September and October offer the best times for swell and wind to be right.

What else is there to do?

There are no land camps at the moment, and this is one of the charms of the area. However this means if a flat spell does occur you are going to be stuck on a boat. Fortunately though you are stuck on a boat in the middle of one of the most incredible aquariums on earth. So if the surf goes flat the snorkelling and diving is out of this world, and if you get bored of that the fishing is incredible and if you’re still bored then maybe Disneyland is a better option!

How do I get there?

From London it is an easy flight often via the Middle East to the Maldives. Once there your charter boat captain will meet you and then you’ll either take a small inter atoll plane and meet your boat in Huvadhoo Atoll or get straight on the boat and motor south in search of surf. The flight is the best option as it’s over 24 hours by boat.

Will I score uncrowded worlds class waves?

There is a good chance you’ll score very good uncrowded waves. The southern atolls do get world class on occasion but it needs to be a thumping swell to get the better spots working. There are fewer charter boats down in the Southern Atolls so getting waves to yourself is totally possible.