Are you Dreaming of windsurfing and kitesurfing in Maldives ? Wind lovers welcome to Windsurf paradise.
2 consecutive years of windsurfing in Maldives gave me the chance to experience totally magical and unique moments on their blue lagoons. Maldives are indeed a Paradise to play with the wind and I believe that more facts, information and advice should be given.
updated in Dec. 2020.
A personal Guide to Windsurfing and kitesurfing in Maldives.
Windsurf and kitesurf lovers…make your choice and get ready for MAGICAL times
Some of the following information might be totally new for you.
Sailing on Maldives pristine lagoons is a must and will definitely offer unique sensations to both beginners and advanced. But surprisingly, despite of their amazing natural assets, Maldives still did not receive the recognition they deserve also on this matter.
Maldives are mostly known for snorkeling and diving.
But what about windsurfing, funboarding and kitesurfing ?
The Maldives are also known for having several excellent surfing spots. This activity obviously deserves another section as it does not require the same spot conditions, datas, logistic and holiday routing plan.
Surfing in Maldives is a vast subject developed here in my special guide
Maldives Surfing Guide
Let’s concentrate here on windsurf, funboard and kitesurf on Maldives Lagoons.
Windsurfing, Funboarding, Kitesurfing in Maldives, all pleasures allowed and highly recommended !
Before sailing further, here are a few facts, information and advices to know before you go play with Maldivian winds.
Can I practice such activities in Maldives ?
YES. Absolutely. But not everywhere. The possibility to practice depends mainly on the equipment and assistance on location. Mostly, all resorts have a Water sport center to offer, but they differ from each other in matter of quality and choice of equipment. Furthermore, resorts with very small lagoons will eventually not provide them or partially.
The material
In general, resorts do have material at disposal. Among others, they offer basic windsurf equipment – varying from the old to more recent models – funboard equipment – varying also according to the islands – and last but not least, kitesurf gear. For information kitesurf is quite recent in Maldives and is getting more and more widespread in the archipelago.
You can of course bring your own material with you. Some Airline Companies, like Emirates assure the transport for free, but at certain conditions ( refer to emirates and/or your travel agent for more information and reconfirmation)
- Material must not be more than 9.84 feet long.
- Material must be correctly and securely packed.
- Material weight must be part of your checked baggage allowance.
How can I be sure to find good material on location ?
It is difficult to answer for sure. Detailed information about resort water sport equipments are not that easy to find. Keep in mind that all equipments are quite always subject to an extra fee.
Some resorts put at disposal ideal gears to have a fantastic ride, meanwhile some others just offer the minimum acceptable to enjoy it. On this matter, I strongly advice you to get information and confirmation with the hotel or via your travel agent. Pay attention, resort category does not matter in this case. I saw very nice water sport centers in simple 3 stars resorts !
I am a beginner, can I learn windsurf and Kitesurf in Maldives ?
Yes. Quite all resorts have material for beginners. Some of them also offer small sails for an easier start.
Differences between services in resorts mainly resides in their ability to offer a good instruction team and the natural assets of the island itself. But again, it has nothing to do with the category of the resort.
If instructors are not guaranteed everywhere, you have chances to meet a friendly and helpful Maldivian at the water sport center who will be happy to teach you the basic.
Concerning the island environment, you should prefer an island with a large lagoon, not to crowded with corals; All Maldivian islands do not offer this particularity.
You will have to be careful with the numerous snorkelers and swimmers who will also enjoy the beauty of Maldives paradisiacal lagoons.
Is it dangerous to practice them?
Alike any water sport activity, some basic rules have to be kept in mind and some of them must not be forgotten for your own safety and of course the safety of others.
Firstly, even if you believe you are a confirmed windsurfer or kitesurfer, do not go too far from your island. Please inform the team at the water sport center about your ride plan, the weather and check if there is a safety boat. Ask also if rescue will be extra charged on your bill.
Be cautious with corals.
Any spot in the world ( particularly tropical destinations with corals) has its own defect : corals, narrow and difficult reef channels, various lagoon depths, currents but also sudden wind changes, mostly during the monsoon, that might be sometimes destabilizing, mainly if you left the beach with a big sail. You can easily find yourself in a very delicate position, subject to currents, tough winds and very rough seas. Again, listen carefully the water sport member(s), they know their lagoons like no other.
Finally, respect snorkelers, divers and swimmers who are obviously king of the destination.
What are the best resorts in Maldives for windsurf, funboard and kitesurf ?
Gliding on the incredibly turquoise and transparent lagoons of Maldives is an absolute pleasure. You will be amazed by the extraordinary pristine waters that will run under your board. According to the spot…and if it is your lucky day, you will be able to see many fishes and even stingrays passing by as you slalom.
The best Maldives Resorts I know for the ultimate sliding sensation in Paradise.
To be able to live the ultimate sliding sensation in Paradise, you should choose a resort featuring a wide lagoon. Most of resort websites show aerial views of their island and it should give you a good idea of the spot conditions. Check also the fantastic observation tool from Google Earth !
From my personal experience, I will keep in memory the following islands :
- Hilton Iru Fushi
- Rihiveli
- Velassaru
- Baros
- Meedhupparu
- Anantara Dhigu
- Island Hideaway
- Shangri-La’s Villingili
- Medhufushi
- Kuramathi
- LUX* South Ari
All these resorts have absolutely wonderful and perfect lagoons for windsurf, funboard and Kitesurf.
read more /
Kuramathi Water Sports
Kuramathi Maldives, a Paradise for Water Sports, launches Kiteboarding and Jet Surfing !
What is the best season to windsurf / kitesurf in Maldives ?
Maldives windsurfing conditions are generally better for a smooth and fantastic slalom.
Waves are not are their best inside lagoons and can be found outside house reefs (best for surfing) , but you need to be well prepared and again to check with the water sport team.
Funboarding with risks of wind changes.
I happened to cross semi open seas in South Male Atoll, including channels between 2 islands ( go out from the island reefs ). It is amazing.
You can do it for more freedom and fun but pay attention it can be tricky, mostly if winds start to rise and according to current strength.
You will might get overpowered and out of reach from your island base.
Always pay attention to where you go, weather conditions, check the environment ( atoll channel ? ) for potential currents. And ask/inform your water sport center !
you will rarely windsurf or kitesurf in crowded conditions. Often alone or with tiny groups, the lagoon is yours and the pleasure is complete.
Can I learn to windsurf in Maldives ?
Beginners can enjoy and learn windsurf and kite surf all year long.
Advanced will rather come during the monsoon, between May and October( low season in Maldives- due to the high probabilities of bad weather), when winds are more regular and strong to very strong. Skies turn dark, lagoons take a fascinating bright turquoise color. The contrast is then amazing and worth being seen.
The rest of the year, approximately from October until April is more random in matter of winds.
But rains and winds ( small depressions) can still occur…it is unpredictable.
More about Maldives Weather /
Behind the Magic : Explaining Maldives Sunsets
Maldives Weather explained in a video.
May the wind be with you
and ENJOY THE RIDE.
© DREAMING OF MALDIVES 2010. Updated in 2020
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13 comments
Hi and thanks for this useful information !
I am thinking of coming to the Maldives to funboard ( not a pro but not a beginner 🙂 ) with my boyfriend, is your list still good ? And if you could choose a lagoon with one would it be 🙂 ?
Thanks .
Emma
Thanks for so good information.
I would like to go with my daughter and we look for both windsurf and diving..do yo have any recommendation for any large island and also resort with conditions to practise both sports?
Regards,
Julio
Hi Julio,
Any of the resort listed here has both good windurf conditions and diving. Diving is everywhere in Maldives. So just choose your resort according to your budget and other wishers only ( transfers by sea or by air, luxury, all inclsuive…)
Have fun !
Guau! Thanks to your blog we are thinking about spending our holidays next summer.
Could you please help us a bit more? We would like windsurfing or kitesurfing, renting equipment.
From the list above, any recomendation?
Thanks again!
Hi Elena,
All of them 🙂 . All these Resorts ( and others that came after my article ) are great for funboard/ Kitesurf but prices vary a lot.
It all depends on your budget.
Rozenn
Thanks for this info. What do you think about reethi beach island shape for wind or kite surfing? Thanks 🙂
Hello dear lavaly
Reethi Beach is an amazing little Island, gorgeous and famous for snorkeling.
If you look for a huge blue lagoon…that won’t be the right place.
Do you have anything else in mind ?Cheers,
Rozenn
Great blog, thanks for sharing. Do you have an info on which island you can rent good equipment?
Dear Magda,
Most of these Resorts offer a good equipment.
But I’ll go for Hilton Iru Fushi, Rihiveli, Anantara Dhigu, Shangri-La’s Villingili, Medhufushi and Kuramathi.
Have fun with the Blue !
Cheers,
Rozenn
Veyr nice website, I like the design 🙂
Excellent info on extreme sports@Maldives. Enjoyed this post. Keep up the good work.
Very very nice blog about Maldives, Congrats.
Looking forward reading and seeing more.
Dear Paco, thank you for this nice comment !
Stay tuned…more dreams are on their way…