18 INDIAN OCEAN noRth male 19 + tamaRinS Flawless leFt + Quality ReeFbReakS - CrowdS + exotic cultuRe - tamaRin’S inconSiStency + beautiFul SceneRy - lack oF ShelteRed waveS noRth male + modeRate priceS - exPenSive FlightS Over the last decade, Maldives has gained a solid reputation for clean, urprisingly, the surf in Malé is very uncrowded despite the capital having the highest population density in the world. almost beginner-friendly waves that break on the most exposed parts of SIt’s mainly locals who surf Raalhugandu, the main break the atoll reefs. Comprised of 26 atolls, surfing in the Maldives has remained in town, yet it is one of the most consistent and powerful waves in Maldives. On big SE swells, a few travellers manage to surf Rats focused on North Malé, which claims the best density of lefts and rights treacherous lefts on the SW corner of Male, or across the channel on within a 2hr cruise. Combined with an appealing proximity to Hulhumalé Vilingili where shallow rights spin across a bumpy reef. There’s a left beside the runway on Hulhumalé that is rarely surfed, because the international airport, it’s an especially convenient, fun-wave playground tail section is deadly and access is not easy. On nearby FuRana, the for time-restricted, wealthy travellers. The Maldives surf has been one of the longest kept secrets, because Australian Tony Hinde managed to keep it quiet among his close friends between 1974 and 1988. These days, the 4 passes gathering the bulk of the swell are often crowded with all types and abilities of recreational surfers, from the resorts, guest-houses or charter boats, but the vibe is always laid-back and friendly. honkyS/SultanS q3 <k5i9 LAT. -20.326852° LONG. 57.372085° honky’s and Sultan’s stand as the ultimate dream combination of coke’S q3<k5i9 rights and lefts breaking on both sides of thamburudhoo island, LAT. -20.326852° LONG. 57.372085° which still belongs to the army, so dhoni access only. honky’s works in the typical NE winter winds enticing swell onto a nicely walled another 30 minutes sail north, the last pass is the safari boat outside section that gets bigger and faster as it hits “Fred’s ledge” favourite because it catches more S swell (and wind unfortunately!). section on the inside. offers short barrels and a bit more punch than coke’s (or cola’s, depending on your taste) has often been rated as it’s length and soft-breaking sections. The jail is gone now, but those most when the tide drains out. Sultan’s is north malé atoll’s most the hardest breaking wave in north male with a vert take-off, high staying at Himmafushi guest-house should remember that the area surfed spot and handles plenty of size, which helps spread the big barrel factor and nice shape over the shallow reef. 2 new guest- facing the wave is off-limits because of the Drug Rehabilitation Centre. crowd of mixed abilities, down the 300m line-up. Starts with a regu- houses and local crew add to the often crowded vibe and there’s honky’S and Sultan’S form the ultimate dream combination of rights lation drop and walls up for a while before rounding out through the strong currents on the tide drop – experienced, fit surfers only. and lefts breaking on both sides of Thamburudhoo island, which still inside sections. both waves suffer from strong currents. belongs to the army, so dhoni access only. PaSta Point is exclusive for the max. thirty surfing guests booked into the Chaaya Dhonveli Resort. Thirty mins north by boat, in front of Club Med on Kanifinolhu, SPOT INFoRMATION tRAVEL INFoRMATION SPot SiZe btm tyPe 1 q3 l 5 Male'atholhu Uthutuburi local PoPulation: time Zone: GMT +5h 2 q2 / g (North Male Atoll) malé – 100,000 conteSt: local, coaStline: maldives – aSP wQS 3 q2 . g 644km (402mi) 4 Meeru q5 / g Dhiffushi 5 q4 / b CLIMAT | weatheR – calais J/F m/a m/J J/a S/o n/d 6 w6 / g total Rainfall (mm) 41 36 36 60 62 67 Viligilimathidhahuraa 7 w4 / b Thulusdhoo consistency (d/m) 14 16 13 12 15 17 World Surfaris 8 q- / g Gasfinolhu temperature min. (ºc) 2 5 7 15 12 5 Waterways Lhohifushi 9 w5 / b Kanifinolhu temperature max. (ºc) 6 9 15 19 15 8 Atoll Adventures Huraa bl CHICKEN’S bk w5 / g Tropicsurf Tari bk COKE'S getting Around – it’s all about navigation. dhonis cruise 6-8 knots, bl w4 / b Himmafushi 9 LOHI'S 8 NINJA'S while speedboats go 25-30 knots, but you will mainly use dhonis to go surfing, running on fixed time schedules from the resorts.d on’t even 7 PASTA POINT think of finding non-arranged boats with fishermen like you’d do in 5 SULTAN’S 6 HONKY’S True Blue 3 KADU other parts of the world. navigation is strictly controlled, leaving no Waterways Full Moon 4 JAILBREAKS space for improvisation. World Surfaris Kurumba Village Tropicsurf 2 lodging and Food – Stay in one of the few surf resorts, unless you Atoll Adventures FURANA can find/afford boat transport (dhoni $250/d; speedboat $2000/d). Live the Life Malé Hulhule north malé atoll resorts are expensive, best prices (based on double surfatoll.com occupancy) are chaaya dhonveli at $250/d with surf transfers Blue Horizon Viligili Vaadhoo Kandu and hduranfushi around $180/d + $35/d dhoni ride. guest-house (himmafushi, thulusdhoo) offer $100/d pricing, but don’t serve any 1 RAALHUGANDU alcohol. Surf safari boat deals vary a lot depending on boat status, group size and the season (higher priced oct-april): expect to pay between $100-300/d. extras: beer ($3). tRoPICAL iSLANDS – STORmRIDER SuRF GUIDE.