Central Atoll Surfing is quite popular in the Maldives.
Maldives, the ultimate destination for surfing enthusiasts from around the world.
If you’re looking for a thrill-seeking adventure and an unforgettable experience,
then you’ve come to the right place.
Here in the Central Atoll, the waves are calling out your name, inviting you to ride them to your heart’s content.
The Central Atoll is a surfing paradise that offers endless opportunities to surfers of all levels. From beginners to professionals, there’s a wave waiting for you here that will make your surfing dreams come true. With crystal clear waters and perfect waves, the Central Atoll is a surfer’s haven that promises a surfing experience like no other.
Why Surfing in Maldives Laamu, Meemu, Dhaalu?
Surfing in the Maldives is a unique experience, and one that should be on every surfer’s bucket list. Here’s why:
- Warm Water: With water temperatures ranging from 27°C to 30°C, you won’t need a wetsuit to surf in the Maldives. The warm water is not only comfortable, but it also allows for longer surfing sessions without getting cold.
- Consistent Swells: The Maldives is blessed with consistent swells that are perfect for surfing year-round. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, you’ll find waves to suit your level.
- Stunning Scenery: Surfing in the Maldives is not just about the waves – it’s also about the scenery. Imagine catching a wave with palm trees, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear water as your backdrop. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Best Time to Surf in Maldives Laamu, Meemu, Dhaalu
The Maldives has two distinct surfing seasons: the Southwest Monsoon (May-October) and the Northeast Monsoon (November-April). The Southwest Monsoon brings bigger waves and stronger winds, while the Northeast Monsoon brings smaller waves and calmer conditions.
However, the Maldives is a year-round destination for surfing, and you can catch waves any time of the year.
Maldives Surf – Central Atoll Breaks
The “Central Atolls” refers to the four atolls between Male’ and Southern atoll area.
Central Atoll Surfing
They are as follows.
- Meemu
- Dhaalu
- Thaa
- Laamu.
The best way to surf the Central Atolls is on a charter boat which gives best access to the breaks of the different atolls depending on the prevailing swell and wind directions.
A well organized boat trip with very experienced guide will make the most of the conditions.
An advantage of the Central Atolls is the accessibility to breaks that are exposed to the wider range of swell directions from south-west to south-east swells.
The best waves are on reefs beside a “kandu” or channel where water flows in and out of the atoll lagoon.
The swell direction, tide and wind direction determine the best spot on the day.
Most of the best breaks in the Central Atolls are right handers but there are plenty of good lefts as well.
Meemu Atoll
There’s one main reef pass on Meemu, with several breaks within a short distance.
Veyvah (Playgrounds) – On the north side of the channel off Vevah island, this fun lefthander is good for intermediate surfers. Easy take off goes into a long wall that can tube nicely in the right conditions.
Mulah (Mulah Left; Pit Stops)
On the other side of the Mulah point, a challenging left hand tube works on bigger swells, higher tides and north wind. In the right conditions it breaks long and fast over a shallow reef.
Mulah Point (Mulhaku)
South of the channel, at the tip of Mulah island, is another fun wave – a nice right hander for intermediates on a small day, but can handle a much bigger swell. Local kids learn to surf here.
Muli Outside (Mushrooms)
East side of Muli island, so it picks up more swell – a long, tubing right hand point break with an easy exit. Consistent.
Muli Inside
Off the northern tip of Muli island, this fast right needs a bit of swell and a southwest wind to be at its barreling best. Long, hollow, shallow at some points finishes in deeper water.
Dhaalu Atoll
Best suited to a south-west swell direction Dhaalu has three good breaks on its southern edge.
Hocus Pocus (Maaemboodhoo)
Off the eastern tip of Maaemboodhoo island is a short, hollow right hand barrel that works in west/southwest winds and a south-west swell.
Best surfed at mid to high tides because it breaks over a shallow reef – advanced surfers only.
Vodi
Nice left hander that breaks on to the Niyama Resort hotel island mainly surfed by the resort’s guests. Good on a northeast wind and a southwest swell, but can be shallow and shifty.
Beginners and longboarders enjoy it on a high tide and a small swell. On a big swell it hollows out to a fast, clean, walling wave.
Kasabu (Kudas; Mauroofs)
Right by the airport runway on Kudahuvadhoo island, this quality right hand wave is best with a southwest swell and a northwest wind.
It starts working at 1m swells when beginners get an easy take-off on the end section..
Thaa Atoll
Thaa has a few breaks on its western and southern edges. Going anti-clockwise, they are:
Bowling Alley (Vandhoo) – Like your local bowling alley, “Bowling Alley” is the break on the west coast of Thaa Atoll where you can have very good times.
Works on any tide with a small to medium southwest swell, but it’s best with northeast to southeast winds which are not prevalent.
Malik’s (Hirilandhoo)
On the outer edge of the same reef channel, this wave works best on a southeast wind and a southwest swell. On a good day, it throws up long, fast left-hand barrels from 1 to 3 metres.
Adonis (Veymandoo)
Moving to the southern edge of the atoll, beside the channel at the tip of Veymandhoo island, Adonis is a long, fast, hollow, right-hand barrel in the right conditions – a solid swell and a northerly wind. Some sections can get shallow.
Outside Mikados
Smaller reef pass catches the southerly swells, and rolls out some high powered barrels. Outside Mikados gets the most of it, and forms a fast, sectiony right that gets bigger and faster as it goes, closing out over jagged reef. Better (and slightly safer) on higher tides and bigger swells (1-2 metres) with a light or northerly wind. Exciting ride for gutsy surfers who can gun it down the line.
Inside Mikados (Inside Farms)
Just inside the channel, a more mellow right wraps around the reef producing a picture-perfect, peeling right-hander. Absolutely ideal at mid- to high tide with a medium size southwest swell and a southwest wind.
Finnimas
On the other side of the channel is a fast, shallow left hander. It’s a bit fickle, but with a southwest swell and a northeast wind (or no wind at all) it will get you nicely barrelled.
With a solid swell and a west or southwest wind, a peaky right hander forms across the channel.
Laamu Atoll
If you’re doing a Central Atoll boat charter, you’ll probably arrive on a domestic flight from Male, landing on the island of Kadhdhoo, on the southeast side of Laamu Atoll.
Good surf breaks are on the southern and north-eastern edges of Laamu.
Yin Yang (Ying Yang)
Yin Yang is the most consistent wave in Laamu, working best under strong SE swell.
It’s like two waves, with the outside best in northwest winds and the inside better with a south-westerly.
It’s Pretty consistent, it will work on any tide, in any swell which is normally from the south.
At its very best with very light winds and a southeast swell over 3 metres.
Madas (Petrols)
At the inside edge of the same channel, this short left is a good alternative to Yin Yans.
A bit shallow at low tide.
Bedhuge (Mundoo)
Heading up the east side of the atoll, on the tip of Mundoo island, this classic, wrapping, righthander needs a bigger southeast swell and a west wind. It’s a small wave that breaks best at lower tides over shallow coral – for advanced surfers.
Refugees Lefts (Machine Lefts)
Across the channel from Bedhuge is a series of short, left-hand peaks. With a solid southeast swell and a southwest wind, the sections link up to give a succession of fast and furious drops and a rollercoaster ride. A shallow take-off, heavy waves and strong currents mean it’s not for beginners.
Refugees Rights (Machine Rights) – Just to the north is a right hander for surfers who like it fast and furious.
It needs a sizeable southwest swell to work, with a sharp take-off over a shallow reef section, shooting into a fast-breaking barrel that doesn’t let you off till the end.
Machine (Maahbaidhoo; Tsunamis) – At the northern tip of Mahibadhoo island, this right-hander starts on the outer reef and wraps around into the channel.
It’s rideable with a smaller swell and on any tide, but at its best with a bigger southwest swell, incoming tide and southwest wind.
In these conditions, it’s a super long, winding barrel, starting outside on a fast, straight reef section, fun corner, finishing with a final, heavy barrel section.
Isdhoo (Langdon Bank)
At the very north-eastern tip of Laamu Atoll, Isdhoo is a nice right that works well on a big south to south-easterly swell.
Conclusion:
The Central Atoll in the Maldives is a surfer’s paradise that offers an unforgettable experience.
With world-class surfing spots and a variety of accommodation options, the Central Atoll is a must-visit destination for all surfing enthusiasts.
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If you have any question. You can read our Surfing in the Maldives FAQ