Surfing
Maldives is popular all over the world for its fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities. But now many people are aware of one of its best known secrets - surfing. Till a few years back Maldives was not well known as a tourist destination. It is only in the last couple of years or so that the general surfing public has been getting a taste of the treasures that these atolls contain.

The Maldives are a group of 1200 tropical islands stretching across the equator about 650 km southwest of Sri Lanka. Together they form twenty-six atolls spanning 750 from north to south. Maldives is every surfer's dream of a tropical island paradise, being surfed by only a select few. This island nation is a surfer's Utopia and the offshore wind conditions in Maldives around March to November provide one of the most amazing surfing experiences on this planet.

The lucky few who have surfed in the Maldives will be quick enough to tell you that a live-aboard dhoni is the only way to go for a serious surf mission. Anyway most islands are so small in Maldives it takes just about 15 minutes to walk around them. So to go anywhere in the Maldives you must travel by dhoni. Dhonis have been used since time immemorial around these atolls and are suited perfectly to enter the shallow lagoons, visiting other islands and for safe anchorage at night.

As there are no afternoon sea breezes in the Maldives, you can surf all day with your floating accommodation restaurant anchored just a short paddle away. The boat also allows you the opportunity to visit inhabited islands for a taste of the fascinating local culture, deserted islands to pretend you are Robinson Crusoe for a while or check out one of the resort islands at night for a drink and a spot of partying.

Surfing in the Maldives is increasingly gaining popularity in the islands since there are excellent breaks accessible from resorts close to Male. Surfing safaris to the outer atolls can also be arranged. To be on the safer side it's best to book surf trips with a reputable surf travel operator because the island nation is definitely not the sort of place where a surfer can land with a few boards and head for the waves.

Windsurfing
Maldives with its large lagoons that surround most of the islands is ideal for windsurfing. Large lagoons with waist deep water for hundreds of meters with soft sandy bottoms and the protective barrier provided by the house reed offer ideal, safe conditions for windsurfing, especially for those who are still wet behind the ears. Almost all resorts have windsurf schools or waterspouts centers where you could get instructions and lessons and even get an international certificate. Some schools are equipped with a variety of boards and suits to meet the requirements of different windsurf. You can be sure that all windsurf schools have the basic equipment for windsurfing and in most cases one or more catamarans and a few canoes.