Spanning eight-hundred kilometers across the equator, The Maldives’ 1,192 tiny islands are the crown jewels of the Indian Ocean. But until the 1980s, this surfer’s paradise was only a secret among friends. You can thank Australian-born surfer, Tony Hinde (“The Father of Surfing in the Maldives”), and his 1973 shipwreck off North Malé atoll for pioneering the surfing and subsequent surfing tourism industry. During their unplanned stay, Hinde and his Aussie co-surfer Mark Scanlon quietly discovered these incredible breaks. Then word got out. Fifty years later, they are among the most sought-after waves in the world.
Today, the Maldives draws surfers of all skill levels, particularly in the peak surf season from April and June. And the stays are just as good as the breaks. From all-inclusive surf packages to exclusive partners with Hinde’s original Atoll Adventures at Cinnamon Dhonveli, these resorts are made for indulging like no other place on earth. Some feature exclusive access to world-class waves breaking right on their doorstep and others personalize surf charters, lessons, tour board hire, and more. You can even book a private charter to spend the night directly on the waves.
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or you’re looking to showcase your skills, your perfect resort and nearby surf spots are waiting for you. Pack your surf bag for the adventure of a lifetime. Here are the best resorts catering to surfers throughout the Maldives, grouped by location (North Malé, the Central Atolls, and the Southern Atolls).
North Malé Atolls
The North Malé Atolls are home to the longest rides in the Maldives, with over ten named breaks in the Baa Atoll alone. With so much excellent surfing on offer, this also tends to be the busiest region, but there are plenty of resorts to accommodate everyone. The islands of Thulusdhoo, Himmafushi, Hura, and Dhiffushi, all have beautiful resorts that are well-equipped for surfers.
Cinnamon Dhonveli
Guests at the Cinnamon Dhonveli resort get exclusive access to one of the Maldives’ best surf breaks: Pasta Point. It’s one of the most consistent waves in the Maldives and is best suited to advanced or intermediate surfers. There are only ever 30 surfers at Pasta Point at any one time, so you’ll always have plenty of space to surf this iconic break. You’ll need to book through Atoll Adventures, the surfing company started by Tony Hinde back in 1991. Their packages include accommodation, airport transport, meals, and unlimited trips to the different breaks in the region. After a long day of surfing, you can relax at the Mandara Spa, before retiring to one of their ocean villas with private sun lounges and spa baths.
Address: Malé North Harbour, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Pasta Point, Jailbreak, Honky’s, Sultans
Getting There: Cinnamon Dhonveli is just a 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport.
Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
The Four Seasons Kuda Huraa ‘Surf’s Up’ Package is perfect for everyone from beginners looking for starter lessons to advanced surfers who want to fine-tune their skills. You’ll get tailored lessons from Tropicsurf pros and at the end of the day, you can head to their spa for their Surfer Massage. Four Seasons also runs an annual surfing competition that attracts surfing legends from around the world, including 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater.
Address: Kuda Huraa North Malé Atoll, 20097, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Sultans, Honkys, Cokes, Chickens
Getting There: Four Seasons Kuda Huraa can be reached by speedboat in around 25 minutes from Malé International Airport. You can make arrangements with this luxury surf hotel, and a representative will greet you at the airport.
Intercontinental Maldives
The Intercontinental Maldives is close to a number of excellent breaks, with enough variety to support surfers of all skill levels. Their surf guides keep an eye on where the best waves are each day, running half-day adventures out around both the Baa and Raa Atolls. Kids will love the Intercontinental Maldives, with lagoon lessons for beginners and a “Kids Pro Surf Camp” where they can catch their first waves with assistance and supervision. Don’t forget to take advantage of the resort’s proximity to a unique manta ray sanctuary where you can swim with juvenile manta rays who are just as curious about you as you are about them.
Address: Maamunagau Island, Raa Atoll 05060, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Sultans, Chickens, Cokes
Getting There: The hotel will organize a seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport if your flight arrives before 3.30 pm. If you arrive afterward, they can help you organize a domestic flight and speedboat trip to the resort.
Season Paradise
Season Paradise’s home break is the internationally-renowned Coke’s Break, a hollow right-hander named for the local Coca-Cola Factory. Chat with their travel experts and local surf guides if you’re interested in organizing a trip to some of the less crowded spots in the area. At the resort itself, you can look out over the ocean from its beautiful infinity pool and get to know your fellow guests at the weekly BBQ held on Fridays. If you’re interested in spending a few nights out on the water, Coke’s Surf Camp offers surf charters that let you explore the area.
Address: Aria, Thundee Magu, Thulusdhoo 08040, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Chicken’s, Coke’s, Ninja’s, Sultan’s, Honky’s
Getting There: It’s just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the International Airport.
Anantara Veli
Anantara Veli is an adults-only resort that’s perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway. Enjoy couples’ spa treatments, sunset dinners on the sand, and champagne and canape-filled cruises. When you’re ready to get in the water, don’t worry if you’ve never surfed before. Their Lagoon Lessons teach you the basics of surfing in the calm comfort of the resort’s lagoon. When you’re ready to take on a wave, the nearby gentle Henry break is a comfortable way to start, followed by the Nonya’s Break. More advanced surfers can challenge themselves at Veli Left which breaks right onto the oceanfront bar.
Address: Veligandu South Malé Atoll, 20109, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Veli, Nonyas, Henry
Getting There: A speedboat transfer to the resort takes around 30 minutes.
Anantara Dhigu
Anantara Dhigu shares its nearest breaks with the Anantara Veli resort and also offers beginner lessons and guided surf tours. As Veli is adult-only, Dhigu is an excellent option for families traveling with kids. There are multi-bedroom villas and kids get a welcome kit on arrival. Dive under the water with the hotel’s various snorkeling tours that let you swim with sea turtles, whale sharks, and nurse sharks. If you’ve never been snorkeling before, they offer snorkeling lessons in the shallows so you can learn the proper techniques. They have numerous dining options including Baan Huraa, their signature Thai restaurant which sits over the lagoon and Spice Spoons where you can learn to cook Maldivian and Thai dishes.
Address: Dhigu, South Malé Atoll 20109, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Nonyas, Veli Left
Getting There: The resort can organize a speedboat transfer that takes around 30 minutes.
Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi Surf Resort
This all-inclusive Maldives surf resort is surrounded by lush vegetation and crystal-clear waters. It feels like a true hideaway, blending into the surroundings on Hudhuran Fushi Island. The Lohi break is one of the best left-handers in the Maldives and you can stay seconds from the surf at their Lohis Rooms. To ensure everyone has an excellent surfing experience Hudhuranfushi restricts the number of surfers each day to 45. You’ll need to register as a surfer and book through a Surf Travel Agent.
Address: Hudhuranfushi, North Malé Atoll, Republic Of Maldives, North Malé Atoll 20334, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Lohis
Getting there: You can take a speedboat to the resort in around 30 minutes. The resort can assist you with booking your transfer through their partner providers
Kuda Villingili
Kuda Villingili’s 150-meter pool is an oasis of calm, surrounded by tall trees and soft sunbeds. Solo travelers looking to socialize with other guests will love the daily competitions and matches hosted by the hotel, including tennis and volleyball. Chickens is the resort’s home break and it’s perfect for less experienced surfers. Advanced surfers will find more of a challenge at Cokes and Sultans nearby. Kids are always welcome at Kuda Villingili and the Kuda Fiyo Island playground hosts games, activities and workshops for kids to enjoy while you ride the waves or relax on the sand.
Address: Main Road, Viligilimathidhahuraa, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Chickens, Cokes, Sultans
Getting there: Kuda Villingi will arrange a speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. It takes around 30 minutes.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Gili Lankanfushi
Gili Lankanfushi is minutes away from some of North Malé’s best breaks, including Jailbreaks which provides long rides and soft finishes. The resort has a variety of packages to suit different travelers including surfers, solo travelers, and couples. A sunrise yoga session and a seaweed bath at the Meera Spa will have you refreshed and ready for your next surfing session.
Address: Lankanfushi Island, North Malé Atoll Republic of Maldives, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Jailbreaks
Getting there: One of the resort’s airport representatives will greet you at Malé International Airport and escort you to their jetty for a 25-minute transfer via speedboat.
Central Malé Atolls
The waves in the Central Atolls are mostly medium-reef breaks that provide consistent, quality waves. Laamu Atoll is known for fast breaks, in particular, Yin Yangs, a world-class right-hander opposite the Six Senses Resort. Thaa is a lesser-known option but it shines in the right conditions. The Meemu and Dhaalu Atolls are well-known for scuba diving, but they also have some excellent breaks including the Vodi Break at Niyama Resort.
Six Senses Laamu
Experience tranquil privacy at Six Senses Laamu, the only surf resort in the remote Laamu Atoll. You’ll be just a short paddle from the shore to some excellent quick left-handers, or, you can take a boat ride across the channel to the powerful Yin Yangs break. Beginners can build up their confidence at the starter wave close to the shore. When you’re ready to take a break, you can enjoy the delicious food at the resort’s six bars and restaurants, most of which sit over the water.
Address: Olhuveli, Laamu Atoll 15090, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Yin Yangs, Petrols, Machines
Getting There: After you arrive at Malé Velana International Airport, you can take a domestic flight to Kadhdhoo Airport in Laamu. From here, the resort will arrange a speedboat to the resort.
Niyama Private Islands
The Niyama Private Islands have excellent waves from the Vodi Break, just a short paddle out from their glittering sands. If you prefer to go scouting for your perfect waves, their ‘Surf Guru’ Nathan Kemp can take you where the waves are, via both seaboat and seaplane. Surfers of all abilities can level up their technique with pro surfer Brad Gerlack, whose Wave Ki method begins with martial arts-based movements practiced on land, to help you harness the full power of the waves. Niyama also offers unique restaurants where you can refuel after surfing including the underwater Subsix restaurant and the treehouse Nest restaurant.
Address: Olhuveli, Kudahuvadhoo Dhaalu Atoll, 13080, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Vodi, Kasabu, Hocus Pocus
Getting there: Niyama offers Seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport during daylight. If you arrive after 3.15 pm, a domestic transfer can take you to the resort.
Como Maalifushi
The Como Maalifushi private island resort aims to combine the variety and versatility of a surf charter with the comfort and amenities of a resort. They run daily surf trips to 20 different surf trips across the Dhaalu, Thaa, and Laamu Atolls. The breaks in the Thaa Atoll can offer a particularly memorable experience as the waters are often frequented by hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and mantas. Spend the night in one of their overwater or beach villas, many of which come with their own private pool.
Address: Maalefushi Thaa Atoll, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Vodi, Kasabu, Hocus Pocus
Getting there: The resort is just a 60-minute seaplane trip from the international airport.
Kandooma Resort
The Holiday Inn Kandooma Resort, provides guests with easy access to the Kandooma Right, an iconic, hollow righthander that draws surfers from around the world. If you’re visiting during peak season between April and October, you’ll need to book your stay through Perfect Wave Travel. Perfect Wave also offer surfboard rental options, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own board.
Address: Kandooma Fushi, 08310, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Kandooma
Getting There: A representative will greet you at Malé International Airport and take you on your 45-minute speed boat ride to the resort.
Kandima Maldives
Smart. Playful. Human. These are the core values of the Kandima Maldives where over 250 studios and villas line the coast of a private island. Take in the ocean views from the swing seat out on your balcony before hopping on a surf charter to the nearby breaks. Kandima shares most of its breaks with the Niyama Private Islands, making the most of the Central Atolls’ prime surf spots.
Address: Kandimas, Dhaalu Atoll 20212, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Kasabu, Hocus Pocus
Getting here: You can book a transfer on the resort’s website via either a private seaplane or a domestic flight.
Southern Atolls
The Southern Atolls are made up of the Huvadhoo and Addu Atolls which have the least-crowded breaks in the Maldives along with lush tropical beach properites. The waves are on the smaller side but the power behind them shouldn’t be underestimated. They’re a challenge best left to intermediate and advanced surfers.
Ayada Maldives
When you arrive at this stunning 5-star resort, head straight to the spa and enjoy their Jet Lag Massage. When you’re refreshed and ready to go, you’ll find a wide variety of breaks around the island. Love Charms gets reliable waves and Fire Islands has a fast break over a shallow reef. Beacon’s is the strongest wave in the area, best left to the most experienced surfers while Antiques is a great destination for beginners. Their local surf expert, Jeeko, can help you decide which break is best for you.
Address: Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Maguhdhuvaa Island, Maldives
Nearby Breaks: Beacons, Love Charms, Fire Islands, Antiques
Getting There: To reach the resort, you’ll first take a flight from Malé International Airport to Huvadhoo Airport. From there, you can reach the resort via speedboat.
Need more surfing in the Maldives off-season? Head to Costa Rica between November and April to catch some of the best waves Costa Rica has to offer in its dry season. Plus, you’ll get a taste of Costa Rica’s party-vibe surf resorts.
