Surfing in the Maldives

This fast, hollow right-hander breaks over shallow coral, offering thrilling barrel sections for regular-foot surfers and skilled backhand riders. Best on a southeast swell with northwest winds, and conveniently located near Foxy's and Riptides, giving you access to multiple quality waves.

Located at Gulhigaathuhuraa in South Malé Atoll, this fun right-hand wave features two sections — a mellow outside ideal for longboarders and beginners, and a faster inside offering clean barrel sections on the right swell. Best surfed with west to northwest winds.

Breaking just offshore from Kandooma Resort, this fast, powerful right-hander features two take-off zones and delivers long, hollow barrel sections, making it one of South Malé Atoll's premier surf breaks.

A 150-metre right-hander breaking on a channel reef, Riptides offers long, carvable walls with occasional hollow sections. Suitable for longboarders, shortboarders and intermediates, it works best on south swells with southwest winds. Strong currents can occur, so conditions should always be checked before surfing.

A fickle yet powerful left-hander, this wave delivers a long, fast and intense ride with perfect sections for experienced surfers.

A consistent, hollow left-hand break with two exciting sections, breaking directly in front of Hudhuranfushi Resort and offering fun, high-quality waves for experienced surfers.

One of North Malé Atoll's most consistent and popular waves — a long, high-quality left-hander with workable walls and fast sections. Best surfed on solid south swells with west to north winds.

Located off Thamburudhoo Island, Sultans is a long, consistent right-hand wave that performs best on bigger south swells. Known for its long walls and reliable shape, it rarely closes out and is best surfed at high tide with west to north winds.

Jails, located off Himmafushi Island, is a fun and forgiving right-hand reef break named after the island's former prison. With long, workable walls and fast sections for occasional barrels, it's one of the most popular waves in North Malé Atoll, often offering slightly smaller and more approachable surf than nearby Honkys.

Located in front of Club Med Resort in North Malé Atoll, Ninjas is a mellow right-hand wave ideal for beginners and longboarders. Best on moderate south swells with west to northwest winds, it can transform into a powerful and challenging break during larger southeast swells.

Located on the eastern reef of North Malé Atoll, Chickens is a long, world-class left-hander with two exciting sections and a fast, peeling wall. Best surfed with northwest to north-northeast offshore winds, this iconic break is accessible only by boat and takes its name from the island's former poultry farm.

Also located on the eastern reef of North Malé Atoll, Cokes is a short but powerful right-hand wave renowned for its steep take-off and hollow barrels. Its shallow inside section offers fast, exciting rides for experienced surfers.

One of the area's most consistent waves, this break features a long inside section that produces incredibly hollow barrels and quality rides.

A fast, shallow left-hander that can fire in the right conditions, delivering powerful sections and impressive barrel opportunities.

A perfect left-hander with a long, open wall for turns and an easy take-off, making it ideal for low intermediates. Fun, forgiving and not too heavy, it can even offer barrel sections in the right conditions.

One of the Maldives' most playful waves, this quality break offers fun, consistent surf and protection from south and southwest winds. Hidden behind Kanimeedhoo Island, it provides a sheltered escape during less favourable conditions.

One of the most picturesque breaks in the area, this short and punchy left-hand wedge offers exciting waves for intermediate and advanced surfers.

One of the few paddle-in, beginner-friendly waves in the Maldives, this perfect left-hander is an ideal spot to start your surfing journey.

A perfect hollow right-hander breaking directly in front of Maverick Resort, offering fast, clean barrels and quality waves for experienced surfers.

A fast right-hander with long, hollow walls and barreling sections. Although it can get shallow, it offers an exciting ride with a safe channel finish.

Located off Kudahuvadhoo Island, this right-hander performs best with light north to northwest winds and a solid southwest swell, offering quality waves in the right conditions.

One of the Maldives' most photogenic waves, this fast and winding hollow right-hander offers thrilling rides. Best surfed on an incoming tide, as lower tides can make it too shallow.

Known as one of the Maldives' most powerful waves, Beacons is a heavy right-hander with long, hollow barrels breaking over a shallow reef. With a straightforward take-off and a fast, intense inside section, it performs best on south to southwest swells with winds from the north.

Five Islands is a powerful right-hander with deep take-offs, fast walls and hollow inside sections over a shallow reef. It handles large swells well and delivers quality waves across all tides.

Named after the striped reef grooves beneath it, Tigers is a powerful left-hander that comes alive on strong south swells. Featuring tricky take-offs, long fast walls and a hollow inside barrel section, it works best on all tides with south swells and northern winds.

Located across the channel from Tigers, this fun right-hander offers softer, smaller waves in similar conditions. A small left can also form on the opposite side, peeling into the channel.

A series of reliable left-handers, Love Charms handles a wide range of swells and easterly winds. On a solid southwest groundswell, it transforms into a fast, powerful wave with barrel sections, earning comparisons to a Maldivian Cloudbreak.

Also known as Voodoos, Blue Bowls is a versatile, point-style right-hander tucked inside the pass between Castaways and Five Islands, offering protection from onshore winds. Reliable across all tides and best around 4–6 feet with westerly winds and southeast to southwest swells, it delivers long, playful sections — plus the chance to anchor nearby and experience local island life.

Located about 3 km south of Dharavandhoo, this is the closest surf break to the airport. A powerful right-hander, it works best on SSE swells with west to northeast or light variable winds. One of the heaviest regularly surfed waves in the atoll, it is suited for intermediate to advanced surfers only.

A left-hander suited for intermediate to advanced surfers, featuring shifting peaks and a fast inside section. It requires a strong southwest swell with a period of 10 seconds or more to truly come alive.

A well-hidden wave inside the atoll, this playful right-hander comes alive on large southwest swells with a period of 12 seconds or more.

The standout wave of the region, this world-class left-hander performs best on SSE to SE swells with north to north-northeast winds.