Surf Maldives - Quick Facts
LOCATION: Southern Asia
POPULATION: 349000
NATIONALITY: Maldivian
LANGUAGE: Maldivian Dhivehi
CURRENCY: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)

The Maldives are located south west of India in the Indian Ocean, and are a group of islands formed from coral. There are actually over 1200 islands, which is great news for surfers. Officially know as the Republic of Maldives, it is often referred to as the Maldive Islands.

The islands are now a popular tourist destination, although it was not at all considered as such until the 1970's. The tourism industry is now the largest part of the economy. (accounting for 28% of GDP) For more information, visit the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture website.

The largest city is Malé and the official religion is Islam. The Republic of Maldives was the first country to hold a cabinet meeting underwater.

Maldives Surf Spot Map

Breaks required for the surf map, so if you've been, please consider adding your spots to the map.

The Maldives experience a similar surf season to that of Indonesia, receiving decent swells in March and April, and from June to November. March and April is the best time to visit and surf in the maldives, there will be consistent surf of up to 12 ft. This is also the dry season so it's best time to visit during this time of year.
The biggest swells likely to occur in June/July/August.

The wet season brings storms and lots of wind, often blowing out any swell that may appear. In general, if you are after super clean waves, and great weather, arrive before early May.

The surf throughout the Maldives generally ranges in size from 4-8 feet, however bigger days have been experienced. A great variety of reef breaks exist ranging in intensity from quite mellow and enjoyable shreddable walls to gnarlier
hollow sucking dry pits.

There is something for everyone when you surf the Maldives, and although crowded, it's possible to get away from it all and enjoy some of the warmest,
most pristine water you will ever experience. It is a tropical island paradise and you will have no complaints taking your non-surfing partner for a couple of weeks here.
It's also a great place to relax if you arrive during a flat spell.

The best way to get the most out of a surfing trip in the Maldives is to get yourself on a surf charter and head south. This will ensure you get away from the crowds and get some classic waves. It doesn't come cheap though, so start getting some overtime in!

According to MaldiveIsle.com, surfing in the Maldives started back in the late 70's, with Tony Hinde, an Australian surfer, being shipwrecked on off Malé.
We seem unable to find the source of this information, or even if it is true. If anyone knows the source behind this, please let us know.

Generally, Maldive surf spots are reefs, breaking over coral. It's almost always warm, and the water temperature allows for surfing in board shorts.



Don't leave without surfing Jailbreaks (Himmafushi), Honky's and Sultans.

Surfing Maldives - The Good
Classic Rights And Lefts
Calm Winds
Tropical Paradise / Warm Water

Surf Maldives - The Bad and the Ugly
Can Get Crowded
Pricey
Consistently Small

Maldives Surfing Conditions

If you have information on surfing this region we would like to know. Post on the travel info forum and tell us all about your surf holday in the Maldives.