In the English dictionary, an "atoll" is defined as "a ring- shaped coral reef and small island, enclosing a lagoon and surrounded by open sea".
Maldives has 25 atolls, approximately 1190 islands and thousands of coral-reef shaped to offer perfect waves.

It's been well explored during the last years, building resorts and increasing the number of boat safaris and surfers, but it remains a totally friendly crowd.

Maldives Photo Gallery

*photos by Tiago Navas

Surfing in the Maldives is an incredible experience! It's the perfect destination for any surfer from beginner to intermediate-experienced surfers. It offers a great variety of waves with blue crystal water. The Maldives can be divided in North Male Atoll (North/South), Central Atoll (Meemu, Thaa, Laamu) and Southern Atoll (Gaafu Atoll).

The North Male Atoll is the most famous atoll in Maldives with some world class waves such as: Sultans, Colas, Chickens, Lohis, Ninjas, Pasta, Jails, Twin Peaks and many others.

Central Atolls surfing spots are located in a new surfing destination only discovered a few years ago with plenty of good waves. The main surf breaks are: Ying Yang, Malik's, Outside Mikado, Inside Mikado, and Finnimas which is a lefthander fast, powerful, hollow with some great barrels and works better with NE- N winds. There are also many other surfing spots around the area to be explored.

The Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll is one of the first atolls to receive swell due to southern position with reef breaks facing all directions. It generally has bigger waves than any other atoll. The main surfing spots are: Airports, Beacons, Castaway, Blue Bowls, Five Islands which is a righthander fast and strong with good walls that can hold big swells. Also check Two Ways, Love Charms, Tiger Stripes, Antiques and many others for you to explore.

The best option when going to the Maldives is a surfing boat trip. There are lots of reef breaks in a small distance, hot water, perfect waves, all types of waves, not many locals, no diseases, no dangerous sail (the boat sail inside the atoll), hundreds of waves with many secret spots to be discovered. If you are lucky you might even name one surfing spot yourself and scored it only with your mates!

What makes Maldives so special about surf is the fact that when the waves get over the 5 foot range, even if you are not an experienced surfer, you will get some great quality waves, long walls and good barrels... and you can easily score it if you go on the right season to the right Atoll.

If you are planning to go to the Maldives, Shot Spot recommends the guys from the Maldives Boat Trip (www.maldivesboatrip.com). They can take you to spots where you can scored the best waves around the area.

For more photographs, check out  our Maldives photo gallery.

Written by Marcio Ferreira and Felipe Simon