Maldives Surfing Trips
Duration: Charter information available on requestTour Overview
The waves of the Maldives, whilst not super powerful, offer you big barrels and long fun waves – perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers. The surfing season depends on the Atolls but most are good for surfing from April until October, with March and November also good and having the best weather. Swell is consistent here and even on flat days, there’s something to do in the Maldives, like snorkelling, fishing or drinking in the stunning vista.
From March to October you’ll find the best waves, with the biggest swells likely in June, July and August, when conditions are mainly off-shore all day and the swell direction is mainly SSE. The surf generally ranges in size from 2-8 feet, however, bigger days have been known.
A variety of reef breaks occur ranging in intensity from quite mellow shreddable walls to gnarlier hollow pits. There truly is something to keep all surfers happy.
Tour Enquiry
Additional Information
The Maldives isn’t just about picture-perfect beaches and villas on stilts – there’s an adrenaline rush to be found as well!
The waves of the Maldives offer big barrels and long fun waves – perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers. For example, North Male Atoll has nine breaks with most of them considered to be world class. Surfing here is dramatic and exciting, it’s done on crystal-clear waters and the swells are consistently good.
Best of all it combines everything you could want – laid back lifestyle, beautiful scenery and exhilarating waves.
You will explore the Indian Ocean from on board one our beautiful liveaboard boats giving the freedom to go where the waves are finest.
And while we tour the water, we will give you the fantastic food, hospitality and service for which every Emperor trip is famous. Our amazing crew will make sure your every need is catered for and do all they can to make your trip extra special whether you are eating, sleeping, surfing or just chilling.
So, fancy a surf adventure in a tropical paradise? Then come and join us!
Itinerary
The joy of surfing from a liveaboard boat is you can tour a number of different breaks and adjust plans according to conditions. There is no guarantee that any spots will definitely be visited but here is a guide to some of the places we aim to include:
Jail's Break (North Male Atoll) :
A long down the line right hander with 3 sections that will connect with a proper swell direction. Often the 2 section offers nice barrels. 100 to 300m ride. Not shallow.
Sultan's Break (North Male Atoll) :
It’s the right hander of Thamburudhoo Island and an easy right hand take off, leading to faster and often barrelling second section. Really fun and long ride wave. Due to the position and inclination of the reef, it’s known to pick more swell than the other breaks around when it is small.
Honky's Break (North Male Atoll) :
This is the left hander of Thamburudhoo Island . With a proper swell direction it can give you a fun long ride, connecting the outside section with the inside one. And watch out for the surprise! The reef formation of the inside section has some ‘channels’, which will suddenly make that inside section almost double the size of what you surfed in the outside! Could be tricky but surfable and really fun.
Guru's Break (South Male Atoll) :
With a proper swell (with a period bigger than 10 seconds) and a proper wind direction (light W). This wave could be the best left hander of the country. It breaks on a rounded corner reef which has no island in front of it. The wave perfectly wraps around the long reef giving you the chance to have long rides with barrelling sections and manoeuvrable sections. Better to surf in mid to high tide due to the shallow reef though.
Machine's Break (Laamu Atoll) :
The name tells it all. It’s a right hander that, when generated by a good SE swell, just keeps on giving and giving perfect long waves. First top peak section is fast and barrelling. Second mid section, your manoeuvres can be expressed at its maximum. Third (and shallower) inside section brings you back to fast and wide open barrels. Unless experienced and hard-core, better surf this section only in high tide. Really fun wave.
Mikado's Inside (Thaa Atoll) :
This is one of the most magic places to surf in the Maldives. The inside reef of a deserted island with white sand and beautiful foliage and palm trees. When hit by a decent swell from SW (bigger than 9s period), it gives a perfect, really perfect, right hander. Usually never hit by westerly winds (SW-W-NW) because it’s really close to the island that protects it, so most of the time you can surf it glassy and clean. A smooth wave good for every level of surfer. It can give nice barrels on the take off at the top top section when hit by a big swell.
Price Info
This trip costs €4,280 per night for charter.
Included is:
- Accommodation on one of Emperor Divers’ beautiful liveaboards
- Full surf itinerary
- Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) including a BBQ evening on a Maldivian island
- Afternoon snacks
- Unlimited drinking water, tea and coffee
- Safety boats
- Snorkelling equipment
- Use of kayaks and SUPs
- Transfers to and from Male airport
- Government taxes and bed tax
- VAT
Not included is:
- Flights
- On board extras
- Alcohol / soft drinks
- Optional scuba dive (trial or qualified dive)
- Sun protection (clothing or skin cream)
- Personal travel insurance
FAQ
What should I bring with me?
Pack light as it’s really hot in the Maldives. And remember the sun screen. Maybe your fishing rod and a mask and a snorkel although we have some basic gear on board. On board we have towels, shower gel, shampoo and more, just ask. You don’t need to bring any shoes on board as you will be bare foot during your trip.
What can I do if we are unable to surf?
It is unlikely that you won’t surf at least a couple of hours a day. If a surf spot hasn’t got good conditions then your surf guide will give you some suggestions. Our boats can change location quickly to find other surf spots. If the surf is impossible, you can take a course and learn to dive, snorkel or fish. If you like to fish then bring your own tackle.
What surf equipment should I bring?
Lycra long sleeves, hat, booties, extra leach (2 and 2.5 mts) and wax. Two boards for waves from 50 cm to 2.50m. Better to bring a fish than a gun, especially in summer, March to April. It’s fine to bring a beginner’s board or body board. A long board could be appropriate but watch out for hollow waves that can suck you in.
Is it suitable for non-surfers?
We happily welcome non-surfers on board. The boat is roomy enough for people to simply sunbathe, snorkel or swim.
