Before the trip FAQ:

  • Private Charter

    If you want to get a boat exclusively for you and be able to choose where to go, you need to follow to these steps:

    • 1. You first need to reach the minimum number of people required (usually 8 but this number can be higher) for the boat you want
    • 2. Contact us and communicate us your preferred dates, boat and region you want to surf
    • 3. We will confirm the request within 48 hours and issue the corresponding invoice, a deposit of 3000 USD is required within 6 days to secure the booking of the boat
    • 4. You can now book your flight.
    • 5. Settlement of final balance is required in our office no later than 3 months prior to departure (please note that surf bookings made within 3 months of departure require full payment at time of booking)
    • 6. A few days before the trip you will receive a voucher you can print and present to the crew the day of the arrival. The meeting point is at the airport just after the customs.
  • Surf Camp

    This package allows you maximum flexibility and will enable you to surf the North Male atoll even if you are alone or a small group. Please follow these steps:

    • 1. Contact us and let us know us your preferred dates and exact flight schedule (don’t book it at this stage)
    • 2. We will confirm the request within 24 hours and issue the corresponding invoice, a deposit of 300 USD per person is required within 6 days to secure the booking.
    • 3. You can now book your flights.
    • 4. Settlement of final balance is required in our office no later than 3 months prior to departure (please note that surf bookings made within 3 months of departure require full payment at time of booking)
    • 5. A few days before the trip you will receive a voucher you can print and present to the crew the day of the arrival. The meeting point is at the airport just after the customs.
    • 6. A transfer will be organized according to your flight schedule: you will be brought by dhoni to the boat.
  • Shared Charters

    If you want to join an existing cruise and surf remote places such as the central atolls or the southern atolls (even if you are alone or a small group), please follow these steps:
1. Contact us and let us know the cruise you want to join. A list of all existing cruises is available under this page
 2. We will confirm the request within 24 hours and issue the corresponding invoice, a deposit of 30% of the invoice per person is required within 2 days to secure the booking.
3. You can now book your flights (domestic flights can be booked directly under: www.maldivian.aero)
 4. Final balance is required in our office no later than 3 months prior to departure (please note that surf bookings made within 3 months of departure require full payment at time of booking)
 5. A few days before the trip, you will receive a voucher you can print and present to the crew the day of the arrival. If you join a cruise departing from Male, the meeting point is at the Male International Airport (MLE). If you join a cruise departing from Laamu in the central atolls, the meeting point is Kahdhoo (KDO) airport. If you join a cruise departing from the southern atolls, the meeting point is at Kaadedhdhoo (KDM) airport.

  • Is the international flight included in the surfing package?

    It is important to remember that the international flight is not included in our prices. However, we can recommend some cheap options to fly to the Male International Airport (MLE). If you fly from Europe or the USA, Qatar and Emirates airlines offer good deals; if you fly from Australia, Singapore airlines is good too. Don’t forget to check if they charge for the surfboards you will bring along.

  • Do I need a visa to visit the Maldives?

    No, all tourists from all countries are granted a free 30-day visa upon arrival. However, all visitors need to have a valid passport. If a passport expiry date falls within 30 days of arrival, tourists cannot extend their stay beyond the passport’s expiry date.

  • What vaccinations should I have?

    Normally, authorities in the Maldives do not require vaccinations. However, if you are from a Central African or South American country, or if you have traveled through these areas before arriving in the Maldives, you need to have a valid certificate indicating that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever. There is no Malaria in the Maldives.

  • What is prohibited to import into the country?

    The following items are strictly prohibited by law to Import into the country: pornographic materials in any form, spear gun, harpoons, alcohol (see next question), drugs (the penalty for importing of such drugs is severe, usually life imprisonment). More info under: www.customs.gov.mv

  • Can I bring alcohol and liquor into the Maldives?

    You are not allowed to bring liquor to the Maldives. If you have bought liquor, beer and related items containing alcohol from a duty free shop while on route to the Maldives, these products must be bonded in the airport’s customs department upon arrival. These goods will be returned before departure. Note that alcohol can be bought on the boats for a reasonable price!

  • What should I bring?

    You won’t find any spare surfing gear in the Maldives, so bring all the boards you might need. However, a two board quiver is sufficient, with a short board and a semi-gun (6’8” to 7’2”) for bigger days. It is very rare that the surf exceeds 8 feet. Bring your booties to protect yourself from the reef cuts, even if most people surf without them. Indeed, the take off zone is usually deep enough and the reef flat and dead. Wearing a helmet is recommended for bigger days. A wetsuit or a shorty is not necessary in this warm and crystal-clear water. A rash guard or long sleeve T-shirt is highly recommended for sun protection. Bring along plenty of solar cream with high SPF because you are on the equator. Bring also a few dollars in cash for the drinks you’ll consume on board. A credit card is also useful for emergencies. There is an ATM located just at the airport but don’t count on it too much as it might be empty.

  • If I arrive in Male before the trip, where can I stay?

    If you are joining an existing trip and arrive a day before in the Maldives, you can go to Male (only 15 minutes from the airport) and spend a night in the capital. We can recommend Kam hotel that is located near the jetty and 5 minutes away from the local break called Town.

  • When and where am I being taken in charge by Surfatoll?

    The meeting point is specified on the voucher you will receive. Usually we meet the clients at the arrival just after the custom. For emergency, you can contact the number appearing on the voucher.

  • How much money do I have to bring?

    All is included in our price except for the the soft drinks and beers that are sold at reasonable price (2&3 USD). Therefore bring around 100-150 USD Cash for that. A credit card is also useful for emergencies. There is an ATM located just at the airport but don’t count on it too much as it might be empty…

On the boat FAQ:

  • How is a typical day on board?

    Start your day by waking up just a few meters away from the line up. The boat will be anchored where the conditions are optimal. After the first session of the morning, a huge breakfast will be served by the crew. You can then chill in the shade and check how the surf is going. Whenever you want, you can ask the crew to bring you by dingy to the lineup for another session. If you feel surfed out, you have the opportunity to explore the surrounding islands, snorkel with the local manta rays or catch a big fish for dinner. After your last session at sunset, fresh beers and music will help you to recover from your emotions of the day. The dinner is served around 7.30 PM, after it you can watch surf movies or read a bit but not too late as you have to rest for the next day!

  • What can I do when I am not surfing?

    There are lots of options like snorkeling, diving, playing cards, board games, reading, watching movies, stretching and yoga, fishing, relaxing and more. The crew is at your disposal to bring you to the local islands but priority will be given to the surfers.

  • Do you have fishing rods on the boat?

    Yes, we have basic fishing equipment on board (the locals fish with hook and wire) . If you want to do something sophisticated, it is good to bring your own material.

  • Is it possible to organize a dive session?

    Yes, we can arrange it. Please let us know in advance and bring your diving certificate. If you are alone, we will organize it from a resort; alternatively if you are a group, we can organize it directly from the boat: a dhoni (local boat) will come with the all necessary equipment.

  • Can I recharge my video camera or any electronic device on the boat?

    Yes, the boats have 220kws plugs and universal plug adaptor.

  • Does the boat shake during the night?

    Usually the boat will anchor in the lagoon for the night; this will guarantee a good night’s sleep.

  • Are the drinks included?

    One bottle of water per person per day is usually included in the price. Coffee and tea are free. Soft drinks and beers can be bought at reasonable prices; the invoice must be settled in
cash (USD) at the end of the trip.

  • What is the food like?

    We know that the food is important during a surf trip so we always make sure it is good, healthy and that there is enough. You will find all kind of varieties of fish, meat, poultry, vegetables, pastas, deserts and more. The seafood is always as fresh as it gets.

  • Is there any phone network & Internet connection on board?

    Yes, there are some islands that offer Internet wireless so you can use Skype or any other virtual communication directly from the boat. You can buy wifi cards directly from the resorts or even better directly at the airport upon arrival at the local operator counter. Also, the local network is well covered so you will be able to use your cell phone onboard.

  • Where does the trip end?

    The last day of the trip, you will be brought to the airport 3 hours before the flight. If your flight is at night, you will be dropped at the airport late afternoon as we cannot navigate during the night. On demand, you can decide to visit the capital of Male the last day of your trip; it’s only 15 minutes away from the airport by dhoni.

The surf FAQ:

  • How does the surf season work in the Maldives?

    The best period for surfing in the Maldives is the Southern Hemisphere winter, which lasts from March ’til October. The peak of the swell being in August. During the North-East monsoon (from March ’til April), conditions are optimal in the “Southern Atolls“. From May to October, during the South-West monsoon, the best surfing area is in the “North Atoll Male” or the “Central atolls”.

  • Is it a dangerous destination for surfing?

    This paradise is exposed to the same swells as Indonesia is, except that its higher latitude and its South-East exposure offers cooler and less hardcore surfing. The waves break on mostly dead reef, and very rarely will you come in contact with it unless you are surfing on a very low tide. So it makes an ideal destination for intermediate surfers.

  • What surfing level should I have?

    An intermediate surfing level is recommended to enjoy the surf in the Maldives. If you want to surf the Southern Atolls, the waves can be quite powerful and therefore a good level is required. Also note that if you come with a group and have never surfed, there will be some suitable sessions for you (check the chart with the monthly average swell size under: www.surfatoll.com/maldives-surfing.

  • Are there more lefts or rights?

    The Maldives have in general more rights than lefts (60% – 40%) and the most consistent wind is off shore for the rights and cross shore for the lefts; it means that you probably will surf more rights than lefts. However it is possible to surf some incredible world class lefthanders.

  • How are the waves in Maldives?

    The waves are all reef breaks; the average size is from 2 to 6 foot with long runs and some barrels sessions. The waves are crystal clear, the water is hot and you’re surfing in front of paradisiacal islands. The Maldives have dozens of world class waves.

  • What kind of boards should I bring and how many?

    A two board quiver is sufficient, with a short board and a semi-gun (6’8” to 7’2”) for bigger days.

  • Is it a long way between surf spots and atolls?

    No, the waves are close to each other from 15 to 30 minutes distance and there are at least 2 good surf spots in each corner. The distance between atolls is around 5 to 8 hours cruising depending on the weather.

  • What happens if there is an accident?

    If something happens, you will be brought to the nearest resort as each one of them has its own doctor. If the case is serious, you will be brought to the main hospital in Male. Note that a first aid kit box is available on board.