Wondering what are the best surf breaks in Maldives & how to plan a Maldives surf trip?

Our Maldives Surf Break Guide has all the info you need for your next Maldives surf trip.

– Written by our very own Managing Director Hupa Ibrahim – Maldives Surf Photographer.

 

Maldives has over 20 surf breaks located over hundreds of kilometres of coral reefs.
These Maldives surf breaks are broken into four main surfing atolls / regions :
 

  • The North Male’ Atoll    ( most popular & closest to airport )
  • South Male’ Atoll    ( wide range of surf breaks catering from beginner friendly to experienced surfers )
  • The Central Atolls    ( mixed bag of goodies – think barrels, point breaks & less crowds )
  • The Southern Atolls    ( empty line ups & great swells )

 

WAVE: COKES – THULUSDHOO ISLAND – NORTH MALÉ ATOLL
PHOTO: MALDIVES SURF PHOTOGRAPHER

 

MALDIVES SURF BREAK GUIDE BY ATOLL:

 

NORTH MALÉ SURF BREAKS:

COKES – right – experienced surfers

CHICKENS – left – intermediate surfers

SULTANS – right – intermediate surfers

JAILS – right – intermediate surfers

HONKEYS – left – intermediate surfers

NINJAS – right – beginner friendly

PASTA POINT – left – intermediate – exclusive to Cinnamon Dhonveli Resort guests

LOHIS – left – experienced surfers – exclusive to Adaaran Hudhranfushi Resort guests
 
 
North Malé Atoll boasts some of the very best surf breaks in Maldives. Generally this atoll has the most consistent swells, however due to its close location to the airport, it also draws the largest crowds, including many safari boats. The surf breaks in this region of Maldives are mostly for intermediate or experienced surfers, although on a small day these surf breaks are beginner friendly. There is a large choice between right and left hand waves. ‘Pasta Point’ located at Cinnamon Dhonveli Resort & ‘Lhois’ at Adaaran Select Hudharanfushi are the two exclusive surf resorts in this region. Indulge Maldives can offer you the best price  for both surf resorts for your next Maldives surf trip.
 
 

North Malé Atoll boasts many cheap Maldives surf trip options. There are many cheap & affordable Maldives surf hotels & guesthouses, especially on Thulusdhoo Island. Thulusdhoo Island provides surfers with direct access to Cokes surf break from land & Chickens surf break is justa short 5min transfer across the island’s lagoon. Thulusdhoo Island is a short boat ride away from other neighbouring surf breaks within North Malé Atoll. Indulge Maldives has exclusive & cheaper than online rates to many properties at Thulusdhoo Island for your Maldives surf trip. Contact us with your Maldives surf trip dates & trip budget to receive the best rates going. Be sure to also check out our 7 NIGHT BUDGET SURF PACKAGE FROM USD$445pp, including meals, surf transfers & surf photo shoots.
 
 

WAVE: COKES – THULUSDHOO ISLAND, NORTH MALÉ ATOLL
PHOTO: MALDIVES SURF PHOTOGRAPHER

 

SOUTH MALÉ SURF BREAKS:

QUARTERS – right – beginner friendly – intermediate inside section

TUCKY JOES – left – expert

TWIN PEAKS – left – advanced
– right – beginner / intermediate

RIP TIDES – right – beginner / intermediate

FOXYS – left – expert

KANDOOMA RIGHTS – right – beginner / intermediate / advanced – exclusive to Holidays Inn Kandooma Resort guests
 

 
In South Malé Atoll there are a selection of surf breaks suitable for all levels of surfers from beginners right through to experts. The waves in the South Male’ Atoll generally attract slightly smaller swell than the breaks in the north, however when conditions align South Malé will challenge even experience surfers. There are consistent swells here during the Maldives surf season and often fewer surfers. Holiday Inn Kandooma is the exclusive surf resort in the region. Indulge Maldives has exclusive & cheaper than online rates to properties within the area. Guraidhoo Island is a great local island to stay at for a cheap Maldives surf trip, plus it has direct access Rip Tides & Foxys. It’s only a short boat ride away to other surf breaks within the area. Ocean Retreat & Spa at Guraidhoo Island is our property of choice for a cheap Maldives surf trip within South Malé Atoll. Contact us today with your Maldives surf trip dates for better than online rates.

 
 

PHOTO: MALDIVES SURF PHOTOGRAPHER

 

CENTRAL ATOLLS:

F1 – right – expert

MUSHROOMS – right – beginner / intermediate

OUTSIDE + INSIDE MIKADOS – right – beginner / intermediate

FINNIMAS – left – intermediate

YING YANG – right – intermediate to advance

MACHINES – right – intermediate to advance

KASABU – right – beginner / intermediate

REFUGEE’S RIGHTS – right – expert

VODI – left – intermediate – exclusive to Niyama Private Islands Resort Maldives

SIX SENSES LAAMU RESORT – guests surf Ying Yang
 
 

Venture to the Central Atolls on your Maldives surf trip and you will discover many many uncrowded Maldives surf breaks. Surfers can expect a great selection of waves for all levels of surfers, plus a variety of waves from point breaks to barrel sections to mechanical reef breaks. Time your Maldives surf trip just right & you may just have the best surf trip of your life! The main way to explore the surf breaks of the Central Atolls is by liveaboard. This gives surfers the flexibility to travel between breaks according to current surf conditions. Six Senses Resort Laamu has a well-equipped surf team who will take you to discover the nearby surf breaks such as Ying Yang, when staying at this fabulous resort. Indulge Maldives offers the best rates to Six Senses Laamu & many liveaboards in Maldives. Enquire today.
 

 

PHOTO: MALDIVES SURF PHOTOGRAPHER

 

SOUTHERN ATOLL:

BEACONS – right – expert

BLUE BOWLS – right – intermediate / advance

LOVE CHARMS – left – advanced

FIVE ISANDS – right – advanced

TIGER STRIPES – left – advanced
 

 
The Southern Atolls are the most secluded of all Maldives surf breaks. The waves here receive the most swell, as the area is open to the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea. Waves in this region are considered fast and powerful and are for mainly experienced surfers. Surfers who make the journey to this region on their Maldives surf trip are likely to discover empty surf break after empty surf break. Surfers often define the waves here as some of the best surf breaks in Maldives. The surf breaks in the Southern Atolls provide endless opportunities for fast hollow barrel riding. Contact us today if you are interested in a liveaboard or surfing safari for your Maldives surf trip.
 

 

PHOTO: MALDIVES SURF PHOTOGRAPHER

 
 
Maldives Surf Photographer

Hupa Ibrahim, aka Maldives Surf Photographer is one of Maldives’ best local surf guides & photographers. He has travelled to all four surfing atolls many of times in his recent years as a surf guide. Hupa is an experienced & passionate surfer who has a wealth of knowledge of Maldives surf breaks. He is available for surf photography shoots in Maldives & specialises in underwater, drone, lifestyle & videography services. Hupa is based at Thulusdhoo Island but regularly travels to join on Maldives surf trips as a photographer. If you are interested in his services, whether it be a one of shoot or a full Maldives surf trip, please contact him via email at hupaibrahim@gmail.com or on Instagram: @maldivessurfphotographer / @not.always.home