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Maldives is well known as a luxury tourist destination. Little is known on its history and culture.  History reveals that this island nation was inhabited as early as 1500 BCE.  First settlers were Aryans who is known to have settlements in Sri Lanka as well. In comparison, the great explorer Christopher Columbus found America in 1492.   As Maldives islands are disconnected, Maldives population was believed to be dispersed.  Today, majority are settled in greater Male which consists of Male, Hulhumale and Villingili. To date population is little over a 500,000 and considered to have had considerable development.   There has not been a known major migration or another settlement to Maldives.

Prior to embracing Islam Maldives was primarily a Buddhist nation which is believed to be influenced by Kalingas of ancient India (who were a major tribe) and was ruled by Kings (Sultans) or Queens (Sultanas) .   Maldives embraced islam in 1153 AD, after a trader named Abul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary who was a Morocon visited Maldives during this time.  At that time King was Sri Tribuvana Aditiya / Later converted to Muhammad ibn Abdullah. He was persuaded by Al Barbary to convert the country to Islam.

Maldives was ruled by women as well.  Most well known was Queen Khadheeja who ruled during  over 3 reigns, total of 30 years between 1347 and 1380.  She was the first female ruler. How she came to power is known to be through assassinations. First when she came to power in 1347, it was after assassinating her Brother. Then later when she was deposed by her husbands  whom she murdered as well to seek power.

 

The Maldives was a Kingdom up until 1968. During this time Maldives was under Portuguese colony from 1558 to 1573.  Malabars from South India also ruled Maldives for a short period from 20^th Dec 1752 to 7^th April 1753.  Later Maldives was under British protectorate for 77 years from 16^th Dec 1887 to 26^th July 1965.

Maldives with this little known but long-standing history, cultural activities seem to be mixed.  Some of our cultural activities include a dance music known as “Boduberu”, which has its origins in East Africa

Other traditional dances include “Bandiya jehun”  which is performed only by women and is known to have been an adaptation of Indian pot dance

 

 

 

Maldives cuisine reflects influence of India and Sri Lanka. Traditional Maldivian cuisine is mainly made of fish, rice or grains. Most commonly known as Garudhiya is vastly consumed and usually prepared from skipkack tuna

 

 

A unique adventure Itinerary by Maldives Boat Club through its adventure arm is offering an Itinerary for the adventure lovers who wish to do activities such as diving, snorkeling, stand up paddling, fishing and or just relaxing.  The Itinerary is offered for 7 nights on a Liveaboard and will stopover at an uninhabited island to enjoy a nature walk and for beach activities.  This is an exciting and one of a kind holiday experience in the Maldives.

Adventurers will get to enjoy the white sandy beaches and oceanic blue waters while doing their desired activity. Liveaboard Adora is built for ultimate comfort while traveling. It provides spacious rooms and living areas for the guests.   If you are not a scuba diver, you can do a discover scuba dive or get open water certified during the cruise even.

This Itinerary will cover Male Atoll, Vaavu Atoll, and Meemu Atoll.

Male Atoll or Kaafu Atoll is the capital territory of Maldives. It consists of two separate atolls: North Malé Atoll and South Malé Atoll. The majority of the population lives in greater Male covering Male, Hulhumale, and Villingili. Most of the resort islands are located in this atoll due to its proximity to international airport Velana International airport.  Of more than 150 resorts in the Maldives, 47 resorts are found in Male Atoll.  Male Atoll houses many dive spots such as Lankan manta point, bodu giri and many more. North Male atoll also houses famous surf points such as chickens, cokes, pasta point and jailbreaks

Vaavu Atoll or Felidhu Atoll is the smallest atoll in Maldives but one of the most beautiful atolls. The capital of Vaavu is Felidhoo island and only 5 islands are inhabited with a total population of approx. 1600 people.  It houses one of the most exciting night snorkel or diving points in the Maldives.

Meemu Atoll or Mulaku Atoll is 48 kilometers long. Of the total  39 Islands, only 9 are inhabited.  The capital island is Muli.  Inside the atoll consists of many coral reefs.  Famous Kurali Manta point is located in this atoll.

Everyone knows that The Maldives is both a paradise as well as a stickler for privacy. Yes, its islands have insanely beautiful views, snow-white beaches, and azure oceans. But it also speaks of remoteness from the outside world because most of its tourism attraction is from its exclusive resorts that are, unfortunately, not accessible to everyone.

Are there other options to visit the Maldives?

When talking about resorts, many more affordable resorts have been opening since 2008, offering packages and deals to attract more holiday goers. The more exclusive and expensive resorts have also begun to offer more so-called “affordable” deals or discounts to attract more middle-income tourists.

However, being in the resort holiday goer is limited only to that single resort and single island.

There is another option to visit local islands wherein the local populace have opened local businesses to tourists. In most of these islands, the local tourism businesses include a jetty, guest houses, cafes, restaurants, exclusive tourism beaches, and diving centers.

Again, though more affordable, you will need to book several times for ferries or you are at the mercy ferry schedules to cross from island to island. Accommodations may be cheap, but nothing even approaching the best cheap hotel at Male, the Maldivian capital.

Or you can choose perhaps the best option of all, a Liveaboard Cruise, with choices ranging from diving to snorkeling to surfing.

Liveaboard Cruises

The concept of the Liveaboard is simple. A Liveaboard boat, usually a large cruise yacht normally more than 120 feet and more than 30 feet wide takes tourists on a week-long trip to several atolls and islands usually inaccessible to normal resort tourists. There are several choices to the types of Liveaboard cruises, the most common ones being scuba diving, surfing, or snorkeling. It is called “Liveaboard” because the guests stay and eat aboard the yacht for the duration of the itinerary.

State-of-the-art Vessels

Liveaboard yachts are state-of-the-art sea vessels that offer maximum comfort for the cruise. These yachts normally accommodate around two dozen guests with cabin suites fitted with comfortable beds, hot showers, bathrooms, TV, and other amenities. The vessel is fully air-conditioned.

The liveaboard boat crew and staff all speak English because of the country’s high literacy rate. They are also the most accommodating and well-trained people you will ever get to meet.

All meals served are in buffet style and there is a mini-bar that serves bottled water, soda, juice, and some alcohol.

But the best part of any Liveaboard cruise is the islands and atolls you get to visit. For divers and snorkelers, the chance to see a huge variety of marine life up close makes the cruise more than worth it. For those after more above-water activities, the islands and atolls, views, the water, is always breath-taking, something you will never get to see or experience anywhere else in the world.

Kinds of Activity when going on a Liveaboard Adventure that will take you around the best spots in the Maldives

Scuba Diving – You get to visit the number of best diving area in the Maldives

Surfing –  Get to surf around the Maldives with waves that  make it more adventurous and daring

Fishing  – Even though with strick compliance authorized fishing charter | liveaboards will take you to the area where fishing is allowed and get a huge chance to catch  Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo.

Island Retreat – You can do much more activities in a local Island where you can do snorkeling, yoga, paddle boarding, barbecue, beach volleyball.

For a more exciting holiday in The Maldives, choose to go Liveaboard for the most unforgettable holiday of your life.

 

Liveaboards are simply holidays spent on a cruising or diving yacht that is equipped to spend a week or less at sea while touring several islands or atolls. The common Liveaboard package is for diving, but there could be others such as Surfing Liveaboard or simple Island Hopping Liveaboard.

Liveaboard accommodations are at par with 3- or 4-star hotel accommodations, are staffed with world-class personnel, including the chefs and food servers that serve three meals a day, usually in buffet style.

Level Up the Scuba Certification

If you’re a serious diver and you want to earn more steps for scuba certification, a Liveaboard is a great option because most diving boats offer training or refresher programs through organisations like PADI and SSI. Be sure to inquire about this before booking.

The Essentials are Usually All-Inclusive

Most Liveaboards are usually all-inclusive. Liveaboard Diving packages include the stay on the boat with an itinerary, meals, water, snacks, and use of diving equipment if you didn’t bring your own. No extra money or time needs to be spent getting to the diving sites because the boat goes to the sites.

Check Out the Itinerary

An important aspect to consider is the location of the dive sites. In the Maldives, the best dive locations you will always hear are South Male Atoll, Vaavu Atoll, Meemu Atoll, and Fuvahmulah. If you see these locations, the itinerary is worth it. Also, the Maldives is mostly about marine life, so enquire about underwater photography. Also, enquire if a night dive or two is included.

Be sure to also check out the length of the itinerary. A 7- or 8-day is usually long enough, and you get to dive three or four times a day, including a night dive or two.

Budget

Be prepared to spend because if you’re looking for cheap options, you can rule out the big diving yachts and cushy accommodations. Remember that Liveaboards are not cheap because they offer world-class amenities to make your holiday a great experience. These amenities will include the airport pickup and transfer to the port.

The Season

The time of year is a serious consideration. All diving boats run year-round. However, some dive locations may be affected by the weather or season, and this includes diving visibility. During the peak seasons, trips can be filled up quickly so be sure to book your trip far in advance.

Surfing is defined as an activity as a hobby or sport riding on top of the wave while standing or lying on a special board.  We list the different kind of surfing activity you can do while having a vacation, to give it more fun and exciting.

Surf – The most common activity in surfing category, where surfer lay on the board to the point where surfer gets the wave break, paddles and gain motion to stand up and surf along with the moving wave.

Windsurf – A combined activity with surfing and sailing, where such activity will take within the ocean and lakes. Sailing

 

Kite Surfing – A wind-powered surfing which is also a combined concept of wakeboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, paragliding, and skateboarding and sailing into one extreme sport.

SUP – Stand up Paddle idea came originally from Hawaii, what makes this activity different is that the surfer sits on the board until waves come. Stand up paddle boarders stands on their boards use as a paddle and board.

Kneeboarding – A surf style board with fin(s) is also done in waves at the beach. With a tow-sport kneeboard, riders kneel on their heels on the board and secure themselves to the deck with an adjustable Velcro strap over their thighs.

Bodyboarding – also referred to as Boogie boarding a water sport in which the surfer rides a bodyboard on the crest, face, and curl of a wave carrying the surfer towards the shore.

Surf Ski – A surf ski is a long, narrow and lightweight craft similar to a kayak but with an open “sit-on-top” (SOT) cockpit and a self-bailer to eliminate water instead of the enclosed kayak-style cockpit which can be sealed against the elements with a spray skirt or tuliq. Surf skis are primarily designed for speed, including fast runs on the open seas, and have a powerful, pedal-operated rudder to control the boat while surfing on wavefronts.

 

Bodysurfing  – is the art and sport of riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device such as a surfboard or bodyboard. Bodysurfers often equip themselves with a pair of swim fins that aid propulsion and help the bodysurfer catch, ride and kick out of waves. Some bodysurfers also use a ‘hand plane’, which helps get your chest out of the water to reduce drag.

 

 

Ref: Wikipedia

 

Southern Surf Atolls in Maldives or Huvadhoo and Addu Atolls with the few surfers in this area is considered as the most challenging and farthest surf spots in the Maldives. The best way to get there is to hire a Surfing Liveaboard in Maldives, Below are the listing spot and what to expect in the area

Huvadhoo Atoll

Airports

• Length: 3 – 5 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – All
• Type: Reef
• Swell SW | Wind NE

Antiques

• Length: 5 – 7 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNW

Beacons – powerful waves in the Maldives

• Length: 4 – 7 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SW | Wind NNE

Blue Bowls

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNW

Castaways

• Length: 2 – 10 Ft
• Level: All
• Type: Reef
• Swell SW | Wind NNE

KH

• Length: 5 – 7 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNW

Koodhoo

• Length: 5 – 7 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind WNW

Love Charms

• Length: 5 – 7 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNW

Tiger Stripes – powerful waves in the Maldives

• Length: 4 – 7 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNW

Two Ways

• Length: 5 – 7 Ft
• Level: All
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNW

Viligili

• Length: 5 – 7 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind WNW

 

Addu Atoll

Air Equator

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind SE

Approach Lights

• Length: 2 – 10 Ft
• Level: All
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNW

Gaukendi Bridge

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind WW

Kanda Muli

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind SW

Kottey

• Length: 2 – 3 Ft
• Level: All
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind S

Madihera

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell SE | Wind NNE

 Shangri-la

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell E | Wind NNE

Thundi Beach

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: Intermediate – Professional
• Type: Reef
• Swell ES | Wind S

Zubair

• Length: 5 – 8 Ft
• Level: All
• Type: Reef
• Swell ES | Wind SW

 

 

Auctioned or latest edition, we listed the most expensive surfboard found online.

$1.3 million – The Rampant

The board was created by New Zealand-based surfboard designer Roy Stuart a 3.2m long, made with timber from Paulownia – a tree native to Asia, And has a gold lion painted on with a red resin outline

 

 

 

 

$183,000 – Aureus

The board was created in a small studio in North Devon in England. it is considered to be the this intricately created. the board consists of a plating that is rampant throughout the fiberglass. made up with 24K gold manufactured by Ellie Miller

 

 

$100,000 Captain Kilgore’s Board

This Surfboard used in the filming of 1979’s cult film Apocalypse Now. At the Pacific Coast Vintage made by Reynolds “Renny” Yater.

 

 

$97,684.21 – Two surfboards Devon artist Damien Hirst

• A red-painted board went for £38,000
• The second green board sold for £21,000 to an anonymous
• The sale of those, together with the Hirst boards, fetched a total of $97,684.21 USD

Made by Beachbeat in St Agnes,  they are now believed to be one of the most expensive surfboards in the world, it is likely they may not be splashed with sea water.

 

$75,000. – The Silver Bullet.

Marc Newson is a London based Australian designer and Dick Brewer the undisputed king of surfboard shaping since time began, and McNamara the collaboration makes a board with a perfect glide that could handle a 60-foot backdoor section at Jaws. Lord knows how all three got together, the board now is the most functional, futuristic and freaky ever produced.

 

$42, 000  -John Kelly Surfboard

Kelly was 9 yrs old when he got his first surfboard, a 7-foot redwood planked shaped by David Kahanamoku, Duke’s brother. From Catherine Toth of the Honolulu Advertiser by reshaping the underside of a friend’s redwood plank to give it a rounded hull, this “hot curl” design is credited with the development of big wave.

 

$40,000 Greg Noll’s Iconic Pipe Board

Greg “Da Bull” Noll in the 1950s and ‘60s, one of the biggest names in surfboard manufacturing. His boards are some of the most sought after in the surfing world, with one of his original balsa guns being sold to a US collector for $US40,000 in 2008.

However, it is the board he holds in perhaps surfing’s most iconic photo on the beach taken by John Severson at Pipe that most collectors, historians, and fiberglass freaks covet the most.

 

 

$32,400 – 1949 Pete Peterson California Point Break Board

know to be the first fiberglass board maker Pete Peterson. This surfboard was one of the first it has a hollow plastic mold, with a redwood stringer and sealed with fiberglass tape that can come in any length and width the person would like. The weight of the surfboard varies on the size of the board.

 

$30,000 Lightning Bolt board shaped by Gerry Lopez

“These surfboards were the state of the art back in the 1970s when Jack Shipley and I started Lightning Bolt Unlimited, Surf Co. Inc. The pintail shapes were designed specifically for riding the tube at the Pipeline, something that had not been done with a lot of success before that time. The sleek look of the shapes, as well as the unique individual color work of the glass jobs, had tremendous appeal to surfers visiting Hawaii from all over the US and other parts of the world. We sold a lot of these racy pintails because they looked great all lined up in the racks of our shop. Many of them ended up at beaches on the East Coast of America, Australia, England, Japan and other places where they really were unsuited for the local waves. They did, however, still look good on any beach anywhere.” By GERRY LOPEZ

 

$24,000 – 1934 Pacific Systems Homes ‘Swastika’ model

Introduced the Swastika model surfboard by Pacific System Homes in 1930s, it is the first commercially produced surfboard line, so-named for the swastika design that marked each board. this board symbolizes harmony and good luck in various cultures around the world, the swastika disappeared from Pacific System Homes surfboards with the rise of Nazi Germany, and the company changed the name to Waikiki Surf-Boards in 1938.

 

 $24,000 – Pat Curren/Yater ‘gun’ from 1963

 

 

 

 

$20,000 Greg Noll ‘Da Cat’ model from 1963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With its natural turquoise blue ocean along with the sparkling white sand,  colorful coral reefs, lined sand bar, and blue lagoons, Maldives has been a paradise for scuba divers, snorkelers, and the perfect destination for surfers during Mid-February until November.

Since the Maldives located along the Indian Ocean, its 26 Atolls warm water and the sunny weather average around 27°C  all year round is the best surfing condition.

To get the full benefit of the surfing spots around the Maldives is to go on the best Liveaboard.

We list down the places to catch your wave:

Central Atolls
ATOLL	BREAK NAME	TYPE		SIZE	SKILL LEVEL
Thaa Atoll	Adonis	Reef-coral		3-4ft	All surfers
Thaa Atoll	Bowling Alley			3-10 ft	Intermediate
Thaa Atoll	Finimmas	Reef-coral		3-4ft	Intermediate
Laamu Atoll	Machine	Reef-coral		2-6ft	Intermediate
Thaa Atoll	Malik’s			3-10 ft	Intermediate
Meemu Atoll	Muli’s right	Reef-coral		2-3ft	All surfers
Meemu Atoll	Muli	Reef-coral		2-3ft	Intermediate
Dhaalu Atoll	Vodi			3-4ft	Intermediate
Laamu Atoll	Yin Tang	Reef-coral		3-4ft	Advanced
Thaa Atoll	Bedhuge	Reef-coral		2-4ft	All surfers
NORTHERN ATOLLS
ATOLL	BREAK NAME		TYPE	SIZE	SKILL LEVEL
North Male Atoll	Chicken’s		Reef-coral	1-2ft	Intermediate
North Male Atoll	Cokes (thulusdhoo island)		Reef-coral	1-2ft	All surfers
North Male Atoll	Cokes		Reef-coral	1-2ft	Intermediate
North Male Atoll	Honky’s		Reef-coral	2ft	All surfers
North Male Atoll	Jailbreak’s		Reef-coral	1-2ft	Intermediate
North Male Atoll	Sultan’s		Reef-coral	2ft	Intermediate
SOUTHERN ATOLLS
ATOLL	BREAK NAME		TYPE	SIZE	SKILL LEVEL
Huvadhoo	Antiques		Reef-coral	3-5ft	All surfers
Huvadhoo	Beacons		Reef-coral	3-5ft	Intermediate
Huvadhoo	Castaways		Reef	3-5ft	All surfers
Huvadhoo	Love Charms		Reef-rocky	3-5ft	All surfers
Huvadhoo	Tiger Stripes		Reef-rocky	3-5ft	Intermediate
Huvadhoo	Two Ways		Reef-coral	3-5ft	All surfers
Huvadhoo	Viligili		Reef-coral	3-5ft	All surfers
Addu Atoll	Shangri – La		Reef-coral	4-6ft	All surfers

 

Surfing is more enjoyable when catching the big wave in some secluded part in the Maldives that’s why hardcore surfer would definitely hire a Liveaboard and a local surfer guide to get the best experience in their life.