Overview

Location

Central Atolls is fairly unknown and has lots of different spots depending on swell and wind directions and strengths. There is more cruising involved than Gaafu Dhaalu or North Malé but that's probably the price to pay to find uncrowded spots. More often than not it's just guys from your boat. You can enjoy lots of rights during monsoon time.

Maldives is not as big and powerful than Mentawaii or South Pacific islands but there is much more for the "honest" surfer : health & education in the villages, safety in terms of reef dangers, disease, natural disaster and civil strife, deluxe tourism structures and easy access (for Europe and Asia).

A boat trip offers the best flexibility to fully enjoy the beauty of the Maldivian atolls. Welcome on board...

The Surf

In the Central Atolls of the Maldive islands, standard waves are long clean rights with size varying between 3 and 6ft (face). During austral winter (April-October), it's never flat. The Maha Team discovered 15 potential spots (4 lefts-R, 2 peaks-P, 9 rights-R), 5 of them are majors.

The major spot names are: Yin Yang (R), Mada's (L), Mushroom rock(R), Tsunami rights(R), Tsunami lefts(R), Bedhuge(R), Langon Bank (R); Shirukandu (L); Mikado (R), Finnimas (L), Footaru (P), Hirifaru  (P), Bowling Alley (L); Biddies (R), Bibeacons (R).

Shallow conditions on tubular sections but pretty even and soft coral reef. You can expect a few 6-10ft swells during monsoon time.

Weather : There is a WSW monsoon (apart from April). Heart of monsoon : June-July. 1 rainy day with moderate winds every 2-3 days. A lot of overcast conditions but enough sun to burn your skin!

Statistics for their surftrips: after 41 trips, they can estimate they had 90% of decent ridable days, among them 40% of classic days...

Accommodation

The Maha Charter boat offers you lots of common space for friendly night games and video. The dinner table can be outside on the front or back deck, depending on the wind and inside if necessary.

There are 7 cabins with one large bed down and one small bed up with airconditioning, a fan and an en-suite bathroom. Outside is enough of space to relax and enjoy the Maldives island views, on the shaded deck.

Facilities on board :
15m "Dhoni" for break access
15 Hp dinghy
Wide saloon
Shaded sundeck for boardbags
Stereo, TV, VHS, DVD, games, phone
Bar

Specifications:
Built : 2004
Length :  26m / 85ft
Width : 7m / 23 ft
Cruising speed :  10-12  knots
Engine : Yanmar 240 cv
Power : 220 V
Telephone

Packages

The trip can last from 10 to 14 days. 12 days is good to guarantee classic surfing days.

Trip rates include :
• All boat transfers
• Tourist bed tax of 8 USD per day/p
• All meals on board
• A daily bottle of mineral water (1,5L)
• Bed in twin share cabin
• Access to uncrowded waves
• Experienced Maldivian surf guide
• Text routing by Antony "YEP" Colas

Trip rates do not include :
• Extras available on board : beers, sodas, alcohols...
• International and Domestic flights: Malé/Laamu Atoll or Laamu Atoll/Malé (100€ one way).

Activities

Great surfing conditions are not the only attractive activity to practice in the Maldives. Fishing and scuba diving fans will reach happiness on Maldive Surf boats, thanks to a remarkable fauna and flora.

Fishing
Every Maldivian is a keen fisherman as fish is more than plentiful. Don't miss that amazing opportunity to catch the biggest fish in your life with a simple handline or a strong fishing rod. Bring your own fishing rod, hooks, big reel for fishes weighing 2-40 kg if you like. If you're keen, feel free to ask the dhoni crew to take you on a night fishing trip.

Snorkeling
Maldives are among the top 5 destinations in the world for diving because of great visibility, high water temps (even deep) and pelagics (big fishes) density. The crew owns some snorkeling gear but it's usually in poor condition and not always available. Maybe deal with your cabin mate so you can bring and share one set of equipment.

Scuba diving
Scuba diving can be arranged if the whole group (or an overwhelming majority) is keen to share the trip between surfing and diving. It means they have to rent a compressor, tanks, BC's, regulators (Octopus type) the whole trip and the days for the Dhoni to get there and back from Malé. For 10 days and 8 persons, it should be around 500 USD/p extra.

Schedule 2010

Trip N°07: May 31 to June
Trip N°08: June 10 to 20
Trip N°09: June 21 to July 02 - 4 places left
Trip N°11: July 14 to 28
Trip N°13: August 08 to 20
Trip N°14: August 21 to Sept 05
Trip N°15:  Sept 06 to 19
Trip N°16: Sept 20 to 30
Trip N°17: Oct 1er to 12
Trip N°18: Oct 13 to 25

FAQ

What do we do if we don't surf ?
If the surf is not good enough where the boat is anchored, they cruise (30min up to 6h, average is 2h per day) or visit villages for basic "shopping", or play football and / or volley (16h-18h) or they snorkel and fish.

How many boards do I need ?
Take 2 or 3 boards suited for 3-8ft hollow but not super powerful waves, better bring a fish than a gun, especially in summer season (march-April). Plan to share boards with your friends. Beginner boards and bodyboards can be fine. Don't forget your leashes (2 short 6ft and 1 midsize 8ft).

Is there an extra tax for boardbags ?
No. Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lankan and Singapore are surfer friendly airlines but don't exceed 30kg for your check-in luggage. Domestic flights are small Dash-8 Turboprop which have room for boardbags of max 30kg.

Is the reef dangerous ?
There is no beachbreak so you always surf on reef. On Indo standards, reef is rather smooth and flat with less wave power so it's much safer. Just don't dive head first, always land flat on wipe-outs and avoid stepping on the reef. Most of the injuries are minor reef cuts. Bring Betadine + dry wound dressing (Compeed).

Are there mosquitoes and/or Malaria ?
Mosquitoes are rare and getting them onboard almost never happens. Sometimes, there can be a few (very few) in the villages but malaria is non-existent !

Do mobile phones work and can I get e-mail ?
There is 95% coverage in the Central atolls (Time +3h for France, +12h for California) so it's easy to stay tuned with the world. However, no e-mail onboard or in the villages. Bring condensation salts for electronic appliances (temperature difference outside / AC).

Rates

Group rates :
06 pax        : 160 € / p
07 pax        : 140 € / p
08 pax        : 130 € / p
09 pax         : 120 € / p
10 pax (11 ou 12)     : 110 € / p

Individuals :
130 € / p

Note : considering the fuel rise in 2009 (if oil barrel > 120 USD) and the possible depreciation of the euro (if 1 € < 1.2 USD), the pricing may be changed once you pay for the deposit or for the remaining sum (45 days before departure). This has never happened so far.