The Maldives’ Luxury Surf Revolution
Surfing brings a new sense of adventure to the Maldives’ luxury escape.
Shutterstock
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
The Maldives has built its reputation on slowing down. Days are spent between turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, long lunches and sunsets over the Indian Ocean. But between May and October, the destination takes on a more energetic character.
As the southwest monsoon delivers consistent swells, surfers make their way towards some of the Maldives’ best-known reef breaks, including Sultans, Jailbreaks, Honky’s and Chickens. For guests staying at CROSSROADS Maldives, those celebrated breaks are around 20 to 25 minutes away by speedboat, putting serious surf within easy reach of a luxury island stay. That proximity offers a different take on the traditional Maldivian escape. An early start can mean heading out with local surf guides to take advantage of cleaner morning conditions, before returning to the resort for lunch, a spa treatment or an afternoon by the water.
For experienced surfers, CROSSROADS offers a 2.5-hour Intermediate Surf Trip, including boat transfers, equipment and a local surf guide. The experience costs USD 258 net per surfer, based on a minimum of two participants. But the appeal is not limited to those who already know their way around a reef break. Beginners can start in the protected lagoon in front of the water sports centre, learning the fundamentals before progressing to nearby surf spots as their confidence grows. It makes surfing less of a specialist pursuit and more of an experience that can be added to a wider Maldivian holiday. That flexibility may be the bigger draw.
While one guest heads out to catch a morning swell, others can spend the day on the beach, book time at SAii Spa or Rock Spa, explore The Marina or visit the Marine Discovery Centre. Families also have options for younger travellers, including the SAii Kids Summer Camp and CampCation at Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.
The result is a holiday where surfing does not have to dominate the itinerary. It can be the reason for the trip, a new experience to try, or simply another way to experience the islands. There is also an unusually straightforward side to the experience. SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives are approximately 15 minutes from Velana International Airport by speedboat, removing the need for a domestic flight or seaplane transfer.
From there, some of the region’s most sought-after surf breaks are another short boat journey away. For a destination traditionally associated with doing very little, the Maldives may have found one of its most compelling new luxuries: something worth getting up early for.
The Maldives has built its reputation on slowing down. Days are spent between turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, long lunches and sunsets over the Indian Ocean. But between May and October, the destination takes on a more energetic character.
As the southwest monsoon delivers consistent swells, surfers make their way towards some of the Maldives’ best-known reef breaks, including Sultans, Jailbreaks, Honky’s and Chickens. For guests staying at CROSSROADS Maldives, those celebrated breaks are around 20 to 25 minutes away by speedboat, putting serious surf within easy reach of a luxury island stay. That proximity offers a different take on the traditional Maldivian escape. An early start can mean heading out with local surf guides to take advantage of cleaner morning conditions, before returning to the resort for lunch, a spa treatment or an afternoon by the water.
For experienced surfers, CROSSROADS offers a 2.5-hour Intermediate Surf Trip, including boat transfers, equipment and a local surf guide. The experience costs USD 258 net per surfer, based on a minimum of two participants. But the appeal is not limited to those who already know their way around a reef break. Beginners can start in the protected lagoon in front of the water sports centre, learning the fundamentals before progressing to nearby surf spots as their confidence grows. It makes surfing less of a specialist pursuit and more of an experience that can be added to a wider Maldivian holiday. That flexibility may be the bigger draw.
