Surfing in the Maldives

More than just a honeymoon hot spot, the Maldives is also a popular surf destination for surfers in the know. Famous for its epic waves and shimmering barrels like nowhere else, surfers from around the world gather to the small island nation in the Indian Ocean for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Surrounded by lush tropical greenery and white powdery sands fringing the island, drag your hand through the shimmering blue barrels in the Maldives best surf spots.

World famous Northern Atolls

A hidden gem discovered by shipwrecked surfers in the ‘70’s the Northern Atolls are known for their incredible surf conditions. The Northern Atolls were once a well-kept secret but have since gained popularity among the global surf scene, hosting international competitions and serving as the heart of the Maldives growing surf culture. With a consistent mixture of left and right breaks, the surf is rarely flat and you can catch the best waves during spring and summer. With heights reaching between two and eight feet, the biggest swells appear in the late summer. The Northern Atolls are considered home to the best waves in the Maldives with its popularity linked to having some of the longest rides in the region, extending beyond 100 metres, making this truly a surfer’s paradise. 

Surfer in white rash guard holding a surfboard under the arm, blue sky in the background.

Central Atolls, a wave less surfed

The Central Atolls may not be as popular in the surf community, but they offer consistently good waves for surfers itching to escape the crowds of the Northern Atolls. While the waves here cannot be compared to the enormous ones in the north, their medium size makes them ideal for intermediate surfers happy to venture off the beaten path. In Thaa Atoll, popular surf breaks include Malik’s, Finnimas, Outside Mikado, and Inside Mikado. Over in Laamu Atoll, well-known spots such as Ying Yang, Refugee’s Lefts, and Refugee’s Rights are also worth visiting. These breaks do require perfect conditions of southerly swells and favourable wind direction, but when everything aligns, the surf is hard to beat! With a tranquil backdrop of lush greenery, powdery white sand fringing the island and from inside a shimmering turquoise barrel, your experience is elevated, with no better place to enjoy the tides of the Indian Ocean. If you do plan to surf in the Central Atolls, keep in mind that boat charters are the only way to reach these remote breaks and once you’ve made your way to the beautiful, untouched waves you will surely be riding the most coveted and immaculate waves less surfed.

A person surfing a wave on a sunny day.

Getting to the Maldives

No matter which kind of adventure you plan on having in the Maldives, there’s an Expert on the phone who can help you. Contact the My Maldives Experts today!

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