Central atolls surf breaks
The season for this area of the central atolls is from March to October, as in the atolls of Male.
On average, the Laamu Atoll spots are exposed from south to north / east, creating a perfect situation also for the wind, there are spots repaired for each wind direction. Sometimes the wind from the east comes straight, but spots like Ying and Yang hold well.
The Thaa Atoll spots normally take the full swell direction from the South / South East, usually more exposed than the other atolls and tend to be bigger. Being more exposed you may find it somewhat windy, so you choose this area based on wind conditions. Generally protected by the North Winds – N / W. This area is generally not popular, uncrowded and almost secured surf! The spots of Meemu Atoll are exposed to the East, generally they carry less swell, so to go when there is a big swell condition. They are very close together and often there is always a right and a left.
The best way to surf the Central Atolls is on a charter boat which gives best access to the breaks of the different atolls depending on the prevailing swell and wind directions. Flying down on an inter-atoll domestic flight to Laamu Atoll to meet our boat is the most time efficient trip itinerary avoiding a couple days of boat travel from Male. We organise yopur boat trip with a very experienced guide that will make the most of the conditions when you’re there, and get you onto a variety of the best waves in the region.
An advantage of the Central Atolls is the accessibility to breaks that are exposed to the wider range of swell directions from south-west to south-east swells. The best waves are on reefs beside a “kandu” or channel where water flows in and out of the atoll lagoon. The swell direction, tide and wind direction determine the best spot on the day. Most of the best breaks in the Central Atolls are right handers but there are plenty of good lefts as well.
Meemu Atoll
Mulah Point (Mulhaku) – South of the channel, at the tip of Mulah island, is another fun wave – a nice right hander for intermediates on a small day, but can handle a much bigger swell. Local kids learn to surf here.
Mulah (Mulah Left; Pit Stops) – On the other side of the Mulah point, a challenging left hand tube works on bigger swells, higher tides and north wind. In the right conditions it breaks long and fast over a shallow reef.
Muli Inside (Formula One; F1) – Off the northern tip of Muli island, this fast right needs a bit of swell and a southwest wind to be at its barrelling best. Long, hollow, shallow at some points but finishes in deeper water.
Muli Outside (Mushrooms) – East side of Muli island, so it picks up more swell – a long, tubing right hand point break with an easy exit. Consistent.
Dhaalu Atoll
Best suited to a south-west swell direction Dhaalu has three good breaks on its southern edge.
Hocus Pocus (Maaemboodhoo;Screaming Kids) – Off the eastern tip ofMaaemboodhoo islandis a short, hollow right hand barrel that works in west/southwest winds and a south-west swell. Best surfed at mid to high tides because it breaks over a shallow reef – advanced surfers only.
Vodi– Nice left hander that breaks on to the Niyama Resort hotel island mainly surfed by the resort’s guests. Good on a northeast wind and a southwest swell, but can be shallow and shifty. Beginners and longboarders enjoy it on a high tide and a small swell. On a big swell it hollows out to a fast, clean, walling wave.
Kasabu (Kudas; Mauroofs)– Right by the airport runway on Kudahuvadhoo island, this quality right hand wave is best with a southwest swell and a northwest wind. It starts working at 1m swells, when beginners get an easy take-off on the end section. On bigger days, better surfers get a longer wrapping ride over 150m. It can handle up to 2m and more, when experts get barrelled along the reef edge for 300m. Share the wave with a few local guys.
Thaa Atoll
Thaa has a few breaks on its western and southern edges. Going anti-clockwise, they are:
Bowling Alley (Vandhoo)– Inside the reef channel on the west side of the atoll, this peak produces a fun left hander, and occasionally a right. Works on any tide with a small to medium southwest swell, but it’s best with northeast to southeast winds which are not prevalent.
Malik’s (Hirilandhoo)– On the outer edge of the same reef channel, this wave also works best on a southeast wind and a southwest swell. On a good day, it throws up long, fast left-hand barrels from 1 to 3 metres.
Adonis (Veymandoo)– Moving to the southern edge of the atoll, beside the channel at the tip of Veymandhoo island, Adonis is a long, fast, hollow, right-hand barrel in the right conditions – a solid swell and a northerly wind. Some sections can get shallow.
Outside Mikados (Outside Farms) – Further east, a smaller reef pass catches the southerly swells, and rolls out some high powered barrels. Outside Mikados gets the most of it, and forms a fast, sectiony right that gets bigger and faster as it goes, closing out over jagged reef. Better (and slightly safer) on higher tides and bigger swells (1-2 metres) with a light or northerly wind. Exciting ride for gutsy surfers who can gun it down the line.
Inside Mikados (Inside Farms)– Just inside the channel, a more mellow right wraps around the reef producing a picture-perfect, peeling right-hander. Absolutely ideal at mid- to high tide with a medium size southwest swell and a southwest wind.
Finnimas– On the other side of the channel is a fast, shallow left hander. It’s a bit fickle, but with a southwest swell and a northeast wind (or no wind at all) it will get you nicely barrelled. Very occasionally, with a solid swell and a west or southwest wind, a peaky right hander forms across the channel.
Laamu Atoll
If you’re arrive on a domestic flight from Male, landing on the island of Kadhdhoo, on the southeast side of Laamu Atoll. Good surf breaks are on the southern and north-eastern edges of Laamu.
Yin Yang (Ying Yang)– At the mouth of a wide channel on the south edge of the atoll, Yin Yang is regarded as one of the best waves in the country. A long, fast right-hander, it starts with a solid barrelling outside section, forms nice walls and bowls as it wraps around the corner, then the inside section gains power and speed all along the reef ledge. It’s like two waves, with the outside best in northwest winds and the inside better with a south-westerly. Pretty consistent, it will work on any tide, in any swell that’s generally from the south. At its very best with very light winds and a southeast swell over 3 metres. It can handle up to 4 metres. Sometimes gets busy, especially if there are surfers from the nearby resort and no other waves working. The inside, end section can be demanding when the swell is up.
Madas (Petrols)– At the inside edge of the same channel, this short left is a good alternative to Yin Yans when there’s a bigger southwest swell and a northwest wind. A bit shallow at low tide.
Bedhuge (Mundoo)– Heading up the east side of the atoll, on the tip of Mundoo island, this classic, wrapping, righthander needs a bigger southeast swell and a west wind. It’s a small wave that breaks best at lower tides over shallow coral – for advanced surfers.
Refugees Lefts (Machine Lefts)– Across the channel from Bedhuge is a series of short, left-hand peaks. With a solid southeast swell and a southwest wind, the sections link up to give a succession of fast and furious drops and a rollercoaster ride. A shallow take-off, heavy waves and strong currents mean it’s not for beginners.
Refugees Rights (Machine Rights)– Just to the north is a right hander for surfers who like it fast and furious. It needs a sizeable southwest swell to work, with a sharp take-off over a shallow reef section, shooting into a fast-breaking barrel that doesn’t let you off till the end.
Machine (Maahbaidhoo; Tsunamis)– At the northern tip of Mahibadhoo island, this right-hander starts on the outer reef and wraps around into the channel. It’s rideable with a smaller swell and on any tide, but at its best with a bigger southwest swell, incoming tide and southwest wind. In these conditions, it’s a super long, winding barrel, starting outside on a fast, straight reef section, then into a mellow, fun corner, finishing with a final, heavy barrel section. A classic. But this wave demands hard paddling – getting to the take-off, getting out at the end, and fighting the current to get back. It can also crunch you on the reef. Strength and skill required.