The Surf Season runs from mid February to November, when low pressure systems in the southern Indian Ocean generate consistent swells.

The early part of the season has the most stable weather, with light, favourable winds. Swell consistency and size improves from February, with March, April and May having very clean conditions..

June to August have the most potential for big swells (the WQS contest is held in June every year), although tropical storms can be more common in these months.

September and October are also very consistent months for swell, with winds less variable and tropical storms becoming less frequent. November is still quite consistent for small to medium size waves and the weather is usually perfect.

Chickens: Long & fast left. Best on higher tide.
Colas: Barrelling right.
Lohis: Two-sectioned left off Lohifushi Resort. Links up well on a big SE swell and high tides. (Access restricted to guests of Lohifushi Resort)
Piddlies (Ninja's): Mellow right. Good long board wave. Moderate Swell.
Pasta Point: Perfect long peeling left. Most consistent of North Male' Atoll breaks. Good from small to big swells. (Access restricted to Atoll Adventures guests at Chaaya Dhonveli).
Sultans: Excellent right with great barrells over 4'. A great peak takeoff that turns into a thick tube on the inside.
Honky's: Long wrapping left. Best wave in the Maldives on its day. Perfect 150 yard ride with long walls and an inside section that stands up bigger than the takeoff.
Jailbreak: Long right that is brilliant. The fastest wave in the Maldives with long walls and three tube sections.
Tombstones: Great long right that needs a big swell

South Male' Atoll breaks are usually a couple of feet smaller than those in North Male' Atoll, but can be excellent if there's a big swell. There are fewer resorts here, but the surf is accessible by boat from Male' in a couple of hours.

Gurus: left that works well with a big south swell and a north wind
Quarters: small, quick right
Kates: short little left-hander
Natives: short right that works with a south-west wind and a solid swell
Last Stops: fast right with a great bowl section

Huvadhoo Atoll has over a dozen named breaks, accessible only by live-aboard surfari boats.

Beacons (Right),
Castaways (Right),
Five Islands (Right),
Love Charms (Left),
Tigers (Left),
Bluebowls (Right) and
Two Ways (Left & Right).

Most surfers will find a short fun board suitable for most conditions in the Maldives, but bring a longer board for bigger swells. The water is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit, though a light suit or rash vest is a good idea, for protection from the sun and from the coral. Booties are essential for picking your way over exposed coral reefs, and a helmet is recommended.

If you're doing a boat-based surfari trip, bring all the gear you'll need because nothing will be available in the atolls. Atoll Adventures has a range of surfboards for rental at Chaaya Island Dhonveli ( all rentals must be booked and paid for in advance).