Southern Atolls Surf

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. The Southern atoll of Huvadhoo (Gaafu), situated 300 miles in the South of Male, focalizes all the attention of the surfer in search for undiscovered waves. Surfatoll is one of the rare agencies to venture itself in this region. The surfing season in the South is reversed in relation to the Northern one, because of the atoll Gaafu Dhaalu’s exposition to the South-West monsoon. Therefore we send our boats south between February and April and in September-October to get the Northern or the North-East wind.

The Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll is only accessible with a well-equipped vessel, the reason why we only launch high standard boats.

In this remote area, the language is different than the official Maldivian spoken in the capital. Some resorts will shortly be constructed, even if they are now only at a project stage.

The surfing potential in this zone is unbelievable with quality spots and definitely World Class breaks. The surf is bigger and more powerful than at North Male Atoll with waves very similar to the Indonesian type ones. Unfortunately, the conditions in this region are very fickle and the only months when swell and wind direction are right are February to April and September-October.

Booga reef: This is a right and left-hander, not very hollow. This is more a hot-dog wave. The rights tend to be better.

Voodoos or Blue bowls: A very long right-hander, very exciting especially at 4 to 6 feet. It handles a south-south west wind. This wave is almost always surf able. Anchoring at Vaadhoo’s harbour gives the advantage of getting to know the local population and to spend a little time in the local village.

Gani Point: Another right-hander, protected from the south-south west winds. A hollow wave that is better surfed at mid-high tide.

Love charms: It is the reference left hander, working at one to 12 feet. Beautiful wave, from take-off to the last turn with some little nice tubes at the inside section. This wave can be surfed at every tide and the best wind is west-northwest.

Castaways: A shallow right-hander. Surf it only at high tide when the swell is bigger than 4 feet. Very nice setting, with an isolated island just in front of the line-up.

Rockets: A fun left-hander, not very hollow but with long workable walls. Very consistent and can be surfed at all-tides. Working with west-north west winds.