Your Next Surf Trip: 5 Reasons for the Maldives

There are a lot of great surf destinations.  Like a lot.  But each surf spot has different qualities—you might say a different flavor.  In selecting the location of a surf trip, your decision making process begins with the basic needs (incredible waves), but slowly builds and takes shape around additional desires and/or restraints (travel time, cost, idyllic setting, etc).  A lot more ends up going into the selection process than just a google image search of perfect waves — although that is a good place to start.

Being familiar with the discomfort and occasional frustration that the decision-making process can present, we thought we’d help all you surfers out there surfing the world-wide web for your next surf trip.  Here are five reasons to consider spending your next surf vacation in the Maldives.

Tristan-Guilbaud
pic. G. Gyselinck

1) Waves
We should start with the basics.  The Maldives has some incredible waves.  If these pictures aren’t enough, do a google search.  The flawlessness of Maldives waves is well documented.  In addition to the quality and consistency of the waves, the Maldives also provides variety.  Lefts, rights, big, small, slow, or fast, the Maldives can accommodate surfers of all styles and levels, which makes it a great surf trip for both individuals and groups.  For more detailed information of the different waves, check out our descriptions.

waves_maldives
pic. G. Gyselinck

2) Weather
The Maldives is tropical—which is the typical climate your surf dreams take place in.  In the real world, this means warm weather and water all year.  Although the Monsoon sounds pretty intense, the Maldives actually fair pretty well when compared to the other countries in the region.  The winds that roll through the atolls tend to be gentler than the neighboring countries.  Since the waves are best in the wet season (April to October), surfing in this part of the world during the summer is less about avoiding getting wet, and more about finding surfable conditions—which is what the Maldives excels at providing.  June and July may get wet, but it is hard to complain about the rain in amazing waves and 27°C (80°F) water.

maldivesurf
pic. G. Gyselinck

3) Islands (lots of them)
I hope we don’t have to say too much about this point.  If being surrounded by seemingly countless islands of blissful surf paradise isn’t something you’re interested in. . . well, maybe the Maldives might not be the spot for your next surf trip.  On the other hand, if you are interested in seemingly countless islands of surf paradise, you will have a hard time passing on the Maldives.  Either way, look long and hard at photos of the Maldives Islands when contemplating the setting of your next trip.

maldives_surfatoll
pic Surf Session

4) Boat Trip
The experience of living on the boat—eating, sleeping, and waking up only a few feet from the lineup—is pretty unreal.  Whether it is a board change, a snack, or even a quick nap, you are a momentary dingy ride, or even paddle to your room.   The beauty and necessity of a boat trip is really made manifest in a place like the Maldives.  There is just so much to see, and so much to surf.  With so many islands, hosting so many great waves, you’ve got to be on the move if you want to see all, most, or at least some of what the Maldives has to offer. Staying on a boat is also a great way to spend a trip with your buddies, or, thanks to Surfatoll’s solo packages, meet fellow surfers from around the world while literally camping out on world-class lineups.  Every surfer needs to plan a vacation around a boat trip at some point in his or her life, and there is no better place to do it than the Maldives.

5) The Maldivian People and Culture
Everybody knows that a big part of any trip away from home, regardless of which place you call home, is the opportunity to see a different part of the world, meet new people, and experience the foreign culture that tends to accompany a change in geographic locations.  Experiencing new cultures and meeting new people can often be the most interesting and memorable part of any surf trip.  The Maldives has a rich culture influenced by its location on the trading routes of the Indian Ocean and centuries of contact with visitors from the neighboring regions as well as from around the world.  From the Maldivians you first meet at the airport, on Male and the other islands, to the boat crew members and even the Maldivian surfers you’ll be paddling alongside in the lineup—you’ll experience a distinct way of life and meet all sorts of wonderfully interesting people.