Hi from the Maldives

[flowergirl]

Hi everyone

Our family is spending a month in the Maldives and looking for some good surf spots. My kids are aged 14, 12 and 10 and are complete beginners so we're looking for a safe surf spot.

Any suggestions would be welcome. I haven't been able to find much on the internet aimed at beginner surfers, and there's no information here.

Thanks
Rose

[dtc]

What time of year are you going? Or are you actually already there?

Maldives is not really a beginners spot, but Sultans or piddlies are usually the breaks suggested. However, they are all over reefs (and I think require boat access) - and probably will be a bit much for a 10yr old and even 12yr old, unless they have good swimming ability (eg can swim 400m+ in a pool). Indeed, I dont really think they are suitable for total beginners, you really need a surf school or you will get into trouble so forget I suggested them!

The Kuda Huraa Surf School (which I think might be part of the 4 seasons resort) offers beginner lessons in a lagoon, which is probably ideal but I dont know how accessible it will be to you. The Holiday Inn at Kandooma also has surfing lessons. Again, I think you have to stay at the resort to access the lessons. I'm not sure if there are any other beginner surf schools - you probably need to ask at your hotel (if you are staying in one).

Because the Maldives are atolls surrounded by reefs, there arent the beaches with waves that suit beginners. Basically the reefs create the waves and protect the atolls, but outside the reef = good waves for good surfers; inside = no waves or waves over shallow coral that are unsurfable. So there arent enough locations to allow beginners to learn.

On the other hand, duck over to Sri Lanka and its all available!

Hope you can find something or perhaps just keep the thought in mind for next holidays

[jaffa1949]

What dtc says is true and a little more complicated by the fact that some surf breaks are tied to resorts and only their guests can surf them.
You cannot get a bike or a car to another beach, another beach, is inside another atolls lagoon. Another surf break is on another atoll!
Just a clear heads up A good surf spot differs considerably from a good beginners spot.
If you miss out on surf lessons, well enjoy the diving.
Get some diving training and do a dive among manta rays and if you feel safe and confident you may get a chance to dive with whale sharks

[flowergirl]

Thank you for those very knowledgeable replies! We live on a yacht and yes we are already here. We sailed here from Sri Lanka where the kids had a couple of lessons at a very easy nice beach. So we can sail to a good location if there is one. However we are already at South Ari Atoll and we can't go back north to Male - we are heading south from here and the seasons won't allow us to delay to go back north.

I appreciate that maybe there is just nowhere suitable for beginners, especially children, and if that is the case then we will just stick to snorkelling and diving. However if anyone does have any suggestions I would appreciate them.

[jaffa1949]

Well there is an option that may suit you.
You are sort of off the map in explorer territory so there may be something you can do.
A couple of questions.
Does anyone on board ( the adults) surf?
If you have skilled surfer with you then you may just be able to find a beach that has a suitable surf and the skilled surfer can help.
Hopefully you have boards on board.
Where is your next destination maybe with a little forward planning you can find what you want there!
Good luck fair seas and good sailing.

[dtc]

You are cruising on a yacht through the Maldives and want to learn to surf as well? Surely there is a limit to how much fun a person can have at any one time; I wouldnt take up surfing at the moment as you will probably cause something to explode (it may be me with jealousy)

Are you heading Asia-ward? Although up and down surfing wise, there are beginner spots aplenty you can drop by, as jaffa said, if you want to plan ahead.