More exposed to the far-traveling Southern groundswells the Southern Atolls have a more extended surf season that starts in early February and doesn't end until November. However, prime swell windows are from March-May & September - October.
Surf Trips Maldives Southern Atolls
The Southern Atolls Are A True Surfer’s Dream
The Southern Atolls are a real gem and one of the least explored surf destinations on the planet. Deep in the Indian Ocean and a 45min flight from the hustle and bustle of Male, the Southern Atolls are as remote as it gets. There isn't much around other than empty world-class waves, a few resorts and even fewer boat charters. More exposed to the far-traveling Southern groundswells the Southern Atolls have a more extended surf season that starts in early February and doesn't end until November.
- Swell magnet
- Pure surf destination
- Less crowded and explored than further North
- Romantic luxury resorts and getaways
- A popular route for surf charters
- A short flight from Male
Your personal expert for Southern Atolls surf trips
Martin Jenner
Head of Sales
Martin, LUEX's Head of Travel, started out skating in the UK, before escaping to the powder of Canadian mountains. He found his way to LUEX through years of chasing snow in winter and waves in France during summer. These days, he manages our surf and snow teams, while squeezing in surf trips to his favorite right-handers at Cokes and Kasabu in the Maldives, or powder missions to the tree-lined runs of Revelstoke. At LUEX, he combines his love for board sports with making sure every trip runs smoothly.
Meet other experts
Ignacio Echandi
Product Manager Surf
Benoit Labat Camy
Product Manager Surf
Max Domijan
Product Manager Surf
Julia Heising
Product Manager Surf
Tim Heising
Managing Director
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A taste of our expert advice right here
Only suitable for Advanced level surfers. Smaller surf window, but most consistent swell magnet. More hollow and powerful than other Atolls. Great for avoiding the crowds as well.
The Southern Atolls are a great alternative to escape the crowds and a really popular route for surf charters. Plenty of boats and length of trip options. Great selection of luxury resorts and hotels in the area.
A great family escape and plenty to do for non-surfing partners. Island safaris, dolphin watching, plenty of games and relaxation are available at the Atoll’s resorts. Non-surfing partners on surf charters can practice yoga, go fishing or indulge in a whole lot of doing nothing.
Domestic Flight (Then a Speedboat to your resort) from Malé. Much longer Boat Charter Crossings also possible without the need to fly (Minimum 14 nights).
Some of our favorite waves in the Southern AtollsFind more waves and detail information in our Maldives Wave Guide
Southern AtollsBeaconsProbably the heaviest break when it's on and not a wave you want to mess with unless you are an expert in the barrel. A super exposed reef break that is both fierce and fickle. Only really works in a clean southwest swell and any other direction almost always causes the wave to close out.
Southern AtollsBeaconsProbably the heaviest break when it's on and not a wave you want to mess with unless you are an expert in the barrel. A super exposed reef break that is both fierce and fickle. Only really works in a clean southwest swell and any other direction almost always causes the wave to close out. A prime summer months destination with S -SE swells coming through pretty consistently. Although the barrel is perfect in the right conditions, the reef is not. It's an uninvitingly shallow, coral reef formation you do not want to come in contact with and best surfed on a mid to high tide. It has one distinct take-off spot with a pretty challenging drop but a beautiful and hollow barrel section that follows. Take the drop with commitment and then it's off to the races before the wave slows down over a bowly end section. Watch it a few times before you get into position and watch out for the straight closeouts that, unfortunately, come through every once in a while.
ReefbreakRighthandN - NWProS - WMarch to October / Prime; March / AprilReefbreakRighthandN - NWProS - WMarch to October / Prime; March / April
Southern AtollsLove CharmsA comfortable 5-minute boat ride from Ayada Resort, this ultra-consistent lefthander turns on the charms on a medium, southwesterly swell and N / NE winds. An instant love affair for every goofy footer, Love Charms is a long beautiful wave with two sections.
Southern AtollsLove CharmsA comfortable 5-minute boat ride from Ayada Resort, this ultra-consistent lefthander turns on the charms on a medium, southwesterly swell and N / NE winds. An instant love affair for every goofy footer, Love Charms is a long beautiful wave with two sections. An easy take-off slingshots you into a nice steep wall for a few nice turns before the little kink in the reef hollows out the wave through the inside for some fantastic little tubes. Although more almondy than round in shape, it's a fairly easy barrel that ends in a shallow-ish bowl, and the spot you should be kicking out. Depending on size the break can change in an instant. On bigger days the first section links up with the reef as it draws more water and you can tuck under a zipping lip upon take-off. The two sections that are so mechanical on smaller swells somewhat disappear, and you have to watch out for the wide cleanup sets or the straight up closeouts that can drag you to the wrong side of the reef. Prepare your paddle muscles too as there always seems to be a rip trying to pull you out of position.
ReefbreakLefthandN - NEAdvancedS - WMarch to October / Prime; March / AprilReefbreakLefthandN - NEAdvancedS - WMarch to October / Prime; March / April
Southern AtollsMadiheraMadihera is just East of Approach Lights, off the tip of Madihera islet. The set up is magic! Although a reef, Madihera breaks more like a pointbreak with a few take off sections and a long, sectiony wall through the inside. It’s pretty exposed and picks up a ton of swell, however, it picks up plenty of wind too. It’s a wave you want to hit early before the wind gets too strong as it completely kills the wave.
Southern AtollsMadiheraMadihera is just East of Approach Lights, off the tip of Madihera islet. The set up is magic! Although a reef, Madihera breaks more like a pointbreak with a few take off sections and a long, sectiony wall through the inside. It’s pretty exposed and picks up a ton of swell, however, it picks up plenty of wind too. It’s a wave you want to hit early before the wind gets too strong as it completely kills the wave.
This fun, rippable lefthander breaks over an uneven reef which makes it one big playground with different sections that look totally different to one another, depending on where you sit. It has a pretty mellow end section but don’t let that fool you! Madihera is a solid wave that packs some punch. There’s always a little something to be had - and occasionally that little something turns into money with the right conditions.
ReefbreakLefthandNEAdvancedSW - SEMarch to OctoberReefbreakLefthandNEAdvancedSW - SEMarch to October
Southern AtollsViligili LeftViligili Left is a fast, zippy lefthander that is offshore when Viligili Right gets too windy. It breaks right opposite the airport landing strip and truly comes to live with a Southern push and West - Northwest winds. Although the take off is on the faster side, the wave mellows out quite a bit as through the inside with a pretty safe end section.
Southern AtollsViligili LeftViligili Left is a fast, zippy lefthander that is offshore when Viligili Right gets too windy. It breaks right opposite the airport landing strip and truly comes to live with a Southern push and West - Northwest winds. Although the take off is on the faster side, the wave mellows out quite a bit as through the inside with a pretty safe end section. It’s pretty remote so finding a ton of heads in the water is rare. It’s pretty fickle and throwing in a horrendous current at times, makes it hard to stay in position. Nevertheless, Viligili Left’s imperfections are what truly makes this spot magic when the conditions align.
ReefbreakLefthandW - NWIntermediateSMarch to OctoberReefbreakLefthandW - NWIntermediateSMarch to October
Southern AtollsKotteyA fast-breaking lefthander (main wave) with a pretty potent lip breaks off Hithadhoo, a small but thriving local island that up until 1976 was a British military base. The reef formation is quite large, and other waves break along the shallow inside, but nothing really matches the quality of the wedgy left at the outer corner.
Southern AtollsKotteyA fast-breaking lefthander (main wave) with a pretty potent lip breaks off Hithadhoo, a small but thriving local island that up until 1976 was a British military base. The reef formation is quite large, and other waves break along the shallow inside, but nothing really matches the quality of the wedgy left at the outer corner. The water around the wave is pretty murky as the reef is located directly across a huge garbage dump and a muddy lagoon. Kottey is a swell magnet and exposed to any Indian Ocean swells that pass through but works best on a medium southeasterly swell combo'ed with a mid tide and south winds. Addu is the southernmost Atoll in the Maldives, and solo sessions at Kottey are usually the norm.
ReefbreakRighthandS - SEAdvanced - ProS - WMarch to OctoberReefbreakRighthandS - SEAdvanced - ProS - WMarch to October
Some of our favorite places in the Southern Atolls
Wall of Fame - You can't go wrong if they've traveled with us
6 Reasons Why You Can Find The Perfect Surf Spot in Maldives Southern Atolls
- 01The Southern Atolls are the Maldives’ swell magnet
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01The Southern Atolls are the Maldives’ swell magnetThe Southern Atolls are the region that picks up the most swell from every direction, the result being highly consistent conditions and well-groomed surf. Although year-round surfing is possible here, the optimum season for surfing the Southern Atolls is considered to be March – April, and September to November when the south facing spots are at their best. In May-August, when these spots are affected by predominantly southerly winds, the east facing spots may be more favorable although these typically receive less swell.
- 02The Southern Atolls are home to some of the Maldives best waves
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02The Southern Atolls are home to some of the Maldives best wavesThere are a host of named high-quality spots including Love Charms, Tiger Stripes, Blue Bowls and Castaways – predominantly left-handers - and countless more left and right breaking secret spots and unnamed gems. Gaafu Dhaalu, the southern half of the Huvadhoo Atoll, is often described in surfing circles as offering up the country's best conditions, with the highest quantity and widest wave variety found throughout the Maldives. If tricky and challenging get your adrenalin pumping then the hollow-sectioned, heavy, powerful waves slamming over shallow reef are going to appeal. If on the other hand, you are looking for rides of the soft and playful type or longboard suitable waves then you are also going to be kept happy.
- 03You find a surf charter paradise in the Maldives Southern Atolls
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03You find a surf charter paradise in the Maldives Southern AtollsThere’s not much other than really amazing surf, and the best way to explore it all is by boat. Southern Atoll surf trips are particularly popular with groups both small and large because they offer the very real possibility of a surf-mates-only trip with a boat all to yourselves – some boats start with as few as 4 to 6 surfers on board. Surf charters offered by Southern Atoll surf operators come in a wide variety of types and sizes, small and intimate with that addictive traditional Maldivian charm.
- 04Get to experience that true Maldivian paradise feel
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04Get to experience that true Maldivian paradise feelThe beaches are silky white sand and the crystal clear quality of the waters, combined with incredibly rich marine life in every color of the rainbow, makes for a snorkeling and scuba-diving heaven. There's not a high rise building in sight and sound is mostly of the breaking wave and sighing wind variety. The word “paradise” gets dropped on a daily but no other place deserves the label quite like the Southern Atolls in the Maldives.
- 05Ultimate Luxury aboard and on land
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05Ultimate Luxury aboard and on landAlmost all the trips offered by our Southern Atoll surf operators come in the form of surf boat charters with a hint of sophisticated and luxurious surf resorts added to the mix. Full on pampering, fine dining and exclusive services can be found onboard and on land. The few resorts found in the South offer a parallel world comprised of luxury and breathtaking surroundings most of us can only dream of.
- 06You can swim with sharks in the Maldives
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06You can swim with sharks in the MaldivesForget what you saw on TV. Experience the exhilaration of swimming with gigantic and majestic whale sharks along with smaller-sized reef sharks lurking peacefully in the coral atolls and also on the surrounding lagoons of the resorts. The Southern Atolls marine life is just spectacular and if “close encounters” with some of the ocean’s most majestic creatures is a little bit too much thrill for you, you can always opt to enjoy watching them arrive daily at selected resorts.
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