Surfing And Yoga In The Maldives

The Maldives is a stunning, laid-back, tropical paradise of over 1,000 tiny, coral islands grouped in clusters, or atolls, amidst a vast expanse of mesmerizing blue-green water. With it’s soft, shimmering, white sand, translucent, warm water, colorful sunsets, and incredible overwater bungalows, it’s well-known as a dreamy honeymoon destination. Yet there’s a sporty side to the Maldives too, perfect for active solo travelers and couples, particularly if you love surfing.

World-Class Waves And Yoga

There are world-class waves in the Maldives. Long, fun ones and chances to catch barrels. Yoga, usually offered with the surfing, is a great compliment, with pre-surf stretching and a post-surf restorative practice, helping to keep performance at its peak.

I volunteered as a yoga teacher at a resort called Surf Yoga Retreat on Himmafushi island. Now, the same owners have a new place on Thulusdoo island, a little northeast of Himmafushi, called Surf Yoga Maldives. They’re a Brazilian couple that offer a great surfing and yoga vacation at rates much less than typical Maldivian resorts. They know the best places to surf in the area like the back of their hands and have been doing this for a long time. Plus, they arrange group dinners for all the guests, so if you’re traveling solo, you’ll quickly meet others with similar interests, likely making instant friends.

I was literally blown away by how beautiful the islands of the Maldives are and the fact that you don’t need to be on a romantic holiday or visit as a couple to enjoy it. And I loved staying at a small surf and yoga resort, rather than a fancy bungalow, as it also offered me opportunity to explore the island and experience the local culture. Teaching yoga and meeting a fascinating mix of international guests at the resort was just a bonus.

Surfing In The Maldives

Although there are over a thousand islands here, many uninhabited, the archipelago has three main areas: the North Malé Atolls, the Central Atolls, and the South Atolls. As I don’t claim to be an expert on surfing, click the links below for more details on the surf locations in each Maldives region. In fact, much of the surfing in the Maldives is a bit too advanced for my level, so I didn’t even surf when I was here. I just helped prep the surfers for their excursions in the morning with some yoga and offered restorative yoga at night to get them ready for the next day.

Most surfing in the Maldives is for intermediate and advance surfers, although there are some places for beginners. If you’re a beginning, talk to your resort before booking to make sure they can accommodate your abilities as experienced surfers are more likely to visit.

North Malé Atolls

The North Malé Atolls in the Maldives offers the most popular surfing spots, many of which are World-Class Breaks. This, however, means waves can get crowded. Especially during peak season and when conditions for one wave is more favorable than the others. Being more popular, it also means that more resorts are nearby, so you don’t need to book a charter or liveaboard, making surfing here more reasonably priced.

The top waves in the North Malé Atolls include: Chickens and Cokes, near Thulusdoo, Honkey’s and Sultans, near the island of Thaburudhoo, Jailbreaks, near Himmafushi, Ninja’s and Guru’s, which some say are better for less experienced surfers, and more.  

There are also two, well-known private waves, Pasta Point, the house reef for Cinnamon Dhonveli resort (who limits guests to small number so it’s never too crowded), and Lohis, Hudhuranfushi Resort’s private wave.  

South Atolls

The South Atolls, about 90 minutes from the North Atolls, are more idyllic, secluded, and remote. They’re accessible only by charter boat, which means surfing here is generally more expensive than the North Malé Atolls.

Also known as the Huvadoo Atoll, the South Atolls are best known for Beacons, Tiger Stripes, and Castaways, with the first two known as the most powerful waves of the islands. Other key surf spots here include; Love Charms, Antiques, KH, Five Islands, Two Ways, Blue Bowls, Riptides, and more. 

The waves here are generally smaller than the North Atolls, but still known to be solid.

Central Atolls

The central Atolls, as you can imagine, are between the North Malé Atolls and South Atolls. Not as well-known as the other regions, they’re the least touristy, and possibly have some undiscovered spots. Some of the better known waves here include Mikados, Malik’s, Finnimas, Ying Yangs, and Machines. Being more remote, charters are the best way to access these waves.

The Surf Yoga Resort

Offering

The resort offers a variety of packages for surfing, snorkeling, and yoga, plus arranges day trips to other islands, and other events.

The Food

The food is super healthy, full of a variety of fresh vegetables. The protein was either local yellowfin tuna, (which was amazing!) or chicken, and there was usually rice, lentils or beans (and options for vegetarians). A perfect healthy feast for your body after a day of activity. Not only were the meals delicious, the fact that they were accompanied by conversation with guests from around the world, made them the highlight of my day.

Alcohol

One thing to know, however, is that alcohol is severely limited in the Maldives, only found at high end resorts, on resort islands (not local islands like Malé itself), and liveaboards. The smaller resorts do not, as they often are not liscenced to sell alcohol. What’s the law? Technically, if you’re not muslim, and 18 or over, you can buy and drink alcohol. It’s just not easy to access.

A Typical Day

Everything revolves around the daily surfing excursions, although sometimes guests opted for snorkeling, beach days, or excursions to other islands. If you want to surf every day, go for it! Your instructor, or guide, will select the best place based on local reports and the ability of the group.

I taught guests two yoga classes a day. One before breakfast, to wake up the body and stretch the muscles before surfing, and one after surfing, usually restorative yoga, before dinner. I catered to whatever the group wanted each time though, as some guests wanted full yoga morning and evening.

I could have surfed, but teaching yoga twice a day and socializing with guests didn’t leave much excess time, or energy. Plus the surfing was a little beyond my level and the guests were more experienced. I could not drag them down to my level.

Local Islands

Many of the islands in the Maldives are owned by private resorts. The resorts are stunning, but they’re also pricey, plus you can’t find much local culture on those islands. If local culture is important to you, and you want to surf the North Male Atolls, consider a smaller resort on Himmafushi or Thulusdoo, one of the local islands.

Himmafushi Island

Himmafushi is a 20-30 minute boat ride from the capital island, Malé. This island is small, about 1/2 mile long and 1/2 mile wide, with about 1,000 locals. You can walk anywhere on the island in about 10-15 minutes, just adding to the tropical charm. Local homes are very basic and very colorful.

The roads are all dirt roads. Surprisingly, even though the island is minuscule, there are cars. Although very, very few. Without a doubt, it’s just a status thing to have a car here, as walking is just as fast.

There are a few (very) small shops selling the basic necessities, like food, soap, etc. If you needed anything else, it requires a boat ride to Malé, the capital island. Of course, there are also several restaurants and souvenir shops.

To get to Himmafushi, you can take a ferry from Malé or arrange a private transfer with your resort.

Thulusdoo Island

Scenic Thulusdhoo feels like it’s right out of a movie. Located a little bit farther from Malé than Himmafushi, you can also take a ferry here from Malé. This island is little larger than Himmafushi, but not much, at about 1 mile by 1/2 mile.

You can find hammocks hanging from palm trees, soft sand, and gentle waves on this idyllic little island.

Also like Himmafushi, there are a few small shops selling basic goods, as well as souvenir shops, restaurants, and a bikini beach where you can wear western style swimwear.

Malé, Capital Island of the Maldives

Malé is the capital island with 2 square miles of land and over 100,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated islands in the world. 2/3 of the Maldivian population lives in Malé.

Yet Malé is so small, the airport is on another island with ferries running, very inexpensively, between the two. There’s also a bridge, so you can drive or take the bus, but taking a boat to the airport is super cool, plus you get stunning views along the way!

Malé is the best place for an immersion into Maldivian culture. Things to do on Malé include visiting the Grand Friday Mosque, nearby Victory Monument, which commemorates a historical battle victory over the Tamil Tigers, and the National History Museum, which was once the royal palace of the Sultan of the Maldives.

There’s also a local market to explore, where you’ll find few tourists, but lots of local fruits, vegetables, spices, specialties, and more.

Maldivian Island Life

The Locals

The Maldivian locals are all Muslim, which is actually mandated by law. They’re very laid back and friendly and as tourism is one if the main economic drivers here, they’re very tolerant and open to tourists.

Some have become excellent surfers from growing up near such fantastic waves and have a vey laid back surfer vibe about them. Others are more traditional and focused on muslim life and family. The mix is very interesting.

The little kids are super cute and not shy at all. They will correct you over and over, until you can say their name right! 😀

I found these cuties in their best dresses on the beach.

And it’s not unusual for locals to be playing beach volleyball. This group of locals played volleyball every afternoon. They were really good! Locals were always welcome to join.

Safety

As far as safety, the islands are very safe. Many don’t even lock their doors. The sun is extremely bright and hot midday, so the siesta lifestyle works well here. You can find the locals out early in the morning and after dark, usually socializing as families.

Dress

Modest dress is appreciated, especially after sunset, but tourists in shorts and T-shirts are OK during the day. Of course respect is always a good idea, covering chest and thighs. The dress code is the most conservative on Malé, the capital island, as it’s more traditional.

There’s a semi-legal beach on Himmafushi and Thulusdoo where tourists can wear their bikinis. Both appropriately called Bikini Beach. The one on Hummafushi has a plastic screen behind it for privacy to the street, but the locals use the same beach, so it seems a bit pointless. At the very least, those opposed to western bathing suits know where not to go.

The coconut trees have numbers painted on them, which is kind of interesting. The number signifies who owns the palm tree. Make sure you buy some fresh coconut juice from the vendors on the islands…it’s amazing…and so good for you!

Cinnamon Donvhelli

If you want a taste of fancy resort life without the pricey nightly rates, look into resorts that offer day rates, like Cinnamon Donvheli, a five star hotel located between Himmafushi and Thulusdoo.

A water bungalow here can cost as high as $500 or $600 a night, however the day package to enjoying the beach, the grounds, and the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet was about $100 (including speedboat transportation to get there). There’s also an option that includes alcohol that’s more.

Like many places I’ve visited, I hope to go back to the Maldives. If you’ve visited, and went surfing in the Maldives, please add a comment below on your experience.

Want To Learn More About The Maldives?

To learn more about the Maldives, see my post on How The Maldives Became Muslim and Other Interesting Facts.