The Maldives is often split into three regions — the South, Central, and Malé Atolls. However, there’s a fourth that’s not well known. For a long while, we had it to ourselves: the North.
Over the last 20-plus years, we have surfed and explored them all extensively. In the beginning, we spent the first few years surfing the Malé Atolls, travelling between North and South Malé. We found ourselves surfing plenty of waves alone, particularly in South Malé, but you could already sense what was coming — the crowds. The ducking and weaving had begun, and it forced us to tune into the conditions, which was the first step toward surfing by ourselves.
Even back then, we were building an understanding of local weather patterns and wind direction changes. I remember early on making calls, jumping ahead of other boats as we watched storms pass to the north of us, which meant a couple of hours in the water at different waves before anyone else knew what was coming. It’s subtle things like that which still matter today — things people have no idea about, even the expert Surfline forecasters (and there are plenty of those).
Malé Atolls
North and South Malé Atolls are regarded as the most consistent zone in the country. This region has the largest collection of waves within close proximity to each other. It’s also the most crowded area in the Maldives. In recent years, though, new surf charter companies have pushed south, leaving this zone relatively uncrowded compared to previous years. This region offers exceptional waves above four foot. It’s always on our radar — but not our primary focus.
In search of empty waves, and after talking to a couple of locals we knew well, we figured there had to be other waves out there. We felt we’d surfed the Malé Atoll waves at their best — all of North Malé’s breaks like Cokes, Chickens, Jails, Sultans, Honky’s, and a few others, all eight-foot plus. We surfed Boatyards for years by ourselves when everyone thought it was too fast and preferred Quarters, which was known by another name back then.
We travelled between Boatyards and Kandooma a lot when they were absolutely firing in big South Malé swells. They were hands down our favourites. This was before surf travel companies claimed Kandooma as “exclusive,” by the way — it was empty. It was time to explore though. We’d been looking at maps, and certain spots just made sense that there would be waves.
Central Atolls
This area has a vast collection of waves facing different directions, with options ranging from longboard peelers to barreling slabs from two to ten feet. A guest favourite due to its consistency, variety, and low crowds. There are still hidden gems here — you just have to be with us to surf them. There’s a fair amount of travel time between atolls, but when chasing a swell, we travel at night, which cuts it down. We often head back to Malé overnight if that’s the call — it depends on the weather and what we’re chasing.
We shifted our focus to the Central Atolls. We spent a large amount of time there and still do to this day. We established ourselves as a business in this region by finding many uncrowded waves. This area is classed as anything below the Malé Atolls down to Laamu. There are so many waves here that could be considered world-class.
The first few times scoring waves in the Central Atolls really opened my eyes to what was possible. I remember thinking we had so much more to learn — and I couldn’t wait. We bounced around down there for years, surfing what are now well-known waves like Farms. We had plenty of trips at Farms, anchoring for days on end with guests paddling straight from the main boat. We’d often ask ourselves, why would we leave? You can’t leave pumping waves. That place is paradise — one of, if not the most, beautiful places to anchor a boat and surf anywhere I’ve been.
Other notable waves include Machines, Sarongs, Sharks, F1s, and of course Ying Yangs. All of these were our bread and butter. If anyone noticed, I haven’t mentioned any lefts yet — the best ones don’t have names and still don’t to this day. We searched everywhere for waves here and found plenty. This was where we felt we earned our degree. Our knowledge grew phenomenally, and it was time to put it to good use. However, we needed to go right down south.
Southern Atolls
The most exposed region in the Maldives, facing directly south. This area is especially favourable in the early and late season due to the winds. Like the Malé Atolls, waves are close together, so travel time is low. There are excellent options for both lefts and rights, and several world-class waves are found here.
The Southern Atolls were among the first to be explored back in the day. I have friends from home who went there in the early to mid-90s — very early on. This region is similar to the Malé Atolls in that it’s compact, with little travel time between waves. Basically, these waves face south, with only a small atoll, Addu, below to block any swell.
We ventured down there early season when the winds were lightest. It was a huge adventure for us at the time. There were only two boats in the area back then, and with six or so waves on offer, it was easy to surf by yourself. Notable waves are, of course, Beacons, Love Charms, Tiger Stripes, Five Islands, and Blue Bowls. There are a few others in the area, and Addu has a couple, but the best one, I believe, is Café Breaks. That was the first wave I saw that looked like a wave pool — before wave pools existed. It was the one wave I thought, if you could make a fake wave, you’d make it like that.
We surfed there for a few early seasons and even left the boat there for a couple of years year-round before anyone else did (and everyone said you couldn’t). It was tricky, though, as the southeast trade wind was more dominant down south back then.
Once boats started moving right down south and surf travel companies began selling the mystical “South,” it was time to shift our focus again. We moved our operation back in and out of Malé. We’d tried flying in and out of the south, and in and out of Laamu; we’d tried sailing one way and flying the other. We tried it all, but eventually realised it wasn’t the best option — for one reason only: the North.
Northern Atolls
The unknown area of the Maldives — a well-kept secret by us for many years. In the beginning, we only took trusted groups here. We’ve been surfing this region for a very long time. Waves are scattered in different directions, requiring a great understanding to maximise conditions. It’s best surfed when lighter winds and large swells are on offer.
Now that was an area barely explored. If Liquid can claim one thing in the Maldives, it might be the North. We’ve always used the same vessel (unlike anyone else), and we’d discussed with the boat owner and crew about keeping waves secret — and they were in on it. What people didn’t realise, and still don’t, is that my crew and the owner are from the North. We started going there quietly for years. I carefully picked the guests I took — this wasn’t something to take lightly.
It only takes one keyboard warrior or someone who doesn’t understand surf exploration to tell another boat or travel company — and the wave is gone. Completely. That’s the nature of the Maldives. It’s run by surf travel companies — not like us. Indo is different; people respect the industry there.
We slowly picked our way north. Even then, I kept things close. I noted waves in the distance that I knew were good but didn’t go — this was the last frontier, and I didn’t trust anyone. There are some amazing waves up north, but it’s definitely the hardest to navigate. You have to know when to go and where to go.
If you want 10 days of waves, that’s rare. It has its moments, but you need the right weather pattern — and you really need to know your stuff when it comes to anchoring at night. It’s different from the rest of the Maldives. It’s also a lot windier, and being a low-lying country, there’s not much protection. I won’t talk about waves in this region — it’s still off the radar.
I know a couple of companies who have tried and had some success, but it depends what you’re after. Personally, we aren’t chasing waist-high waves. You can get those anywhere. On a 10-day trip, we’re chasing the best 10 days possible in the Maldives. So it’s not always the right call to go north — just as it’s not always the right call to go central or south.
In each of these regions, we still surf uncrowded waves. The Deep South and Malé Atolls are relatively well known but still offer our clients perfect waves in many conditions. The Central and North Atolls require more travel time but can be incredibly rewarding, offering a true sense of adventure. After many years in each zone, we feel we’re the only ones with the knowledge and experience to know where’s best to focus for your ten-day surf charter.
Ironically, in the last couple of years, the best call has sometimes been to go back to where it all started — the Malé Atolls. As everyone has chased the surf travel companies’ sales pitches about where to go, it’s left this zone occasionally uncrowded. I’ve sat in the channel at Cokes and Chickens many times over the last couple of years with not a single boat there — and 20 years ago, those same conditions would have seen three or four boats in the channel. I’ve surfed Jails by myself at 4–5 foot, and 20 years ago I surfed it like that with 70 people. Go figure that one out.
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We are an actual operator (not a surf travel company) so we are out there chasing waves for our guests, and might not be able to get back to you for a few days.
During the surf season the best way to contact Louis is by email info@liquiddestination.com as he can be on the boat out of mobile phone range (+61 407 157 077)
Day One and Two
Whether you’ve flown in the night before or have jumped straight on board, it’s likely you are going to be fatigued from the long journey. Sometimes we take off as soon as you arrive and drive through the night, while on other occasions we push off in the morning. We try to get people into the water as soon as we can to blow the cobwebs out. The itinerary for the first day is typically pretty relaxed as people catch up on sleep, but by the second day, we should be posted up at a good wave that will keep us interested for a day or two.