How To Pick An Island To Learn Windsurfing In Maldives

Recently I received an inquiry from a couple who plans to stay in Maldives for 4 nights and want to learn windsurfing. Since I am familiar with almost every single resort it didn’t take any time for me to come up with some of the best resorts for windsurfing. When I recommend a resort for a particular purpose I also consider other factors which guests may never ask.



I asked their nightly budget as it is pointless to recommend islands that clients can never afford, or maybe they can afford but do not want to spend that much. Once I knew the amount I really did not have any resort to recommend, except one. That’s Kuramathi.

After exchanging some emails I realized guests had the impress that all islands with large lagoons are ideal to learn windsurfing. That’s wrong. So, I decided to give some clues as to what you should look for while choosing an island for windsurfing.

Lagoon next to water sports centre

Most of the guests are not good swimmers. If the lagoon is deeper than your height it may be difficult to get on the surf board. While you are learning you would fall off very easily. The learning process is literally getting on and off the board. Once you are able to stay aboard the rest is easy. Lot of people find turning difficult, but with practice you will learn that.

The ideal lagoon should have water up to your chest level. Every 24 hours there is a high tide and low tide timing. Based on the tide you can decide whether you want to windsurf in the morning or in the afternoon, or midday.



Looking at the pictures you may see a large lagoon. You need to locate the Water Sports Centre in the resort and check if the lagoon right next to it is good enough, have enough space or if the conditions are good. Having a large lagoon near the water villas or the arrival jetty does not matter much if you are a beginner. Those far away locations are for experienced windsurfers.

In some resorts the entire lagoon is shallow, in other places it starts shallow and there is a steep drop down to the deep water. The ideal condition is when the lagoon starts shallow and gets gradually deeper after some distance.

Islands surrounded by corals in shallow water

The tip of live corals are very sharp and some-what poisonous if not disinfected. You may not rush for this, but at least once you are back you need to apply the disinfectant.



Some islands are almost entirely surrounded by corals in the shallows. If you are a windsurfer beginner you do not want to fall off on the coal. That could give some serious injuries. Pros could pass over if its a small area and do windsurfing out of the reef. For that weather must be good or the windsurfer must be highly experience.

Don't get me wrong. Corals in the shallows are beautiful and many such resorts enjoy a great reputation for excellence in guest satisfaction. Not all tourists love windsurfing. It is just one of the several water based sports offered at different Maldives resorts.

Sand on the sea floor

Looking at the picture you may see a beautiful lagoon. But, there may be pieces of coral or stones where you can’t walk barefoot. Lagoons with white sand on the sea floor mean you will never have to worry about what your feet might touch. Sometimes there are string rays in the lagoon, they usually go away when you go near. Also, water sports centre staff may be able to tell you if there is any place that is known to have string rays. Usually there are particular areas of the lagoons where string rays stay. Because of frequent activities they don’t stay near water sports area. They like it when the sand is very fine and soft, when you walk on this type of sand you will a get muddy feeling. So the best condition is the sand that is not so fine but free from any coral. I have seen some tourists wear anti-slip shoes, but most of the windsurfers prefer to do barefoot.

Obstacles in your way

Many resorts have water breakers to protect the beach sand from erosion. Unfortunately this is not ideal for windsurfers, especially beginners. If the water breakers are really far from the island and there is enough space then it does not matter. Experienced windsurfers could maneuver through the channel, go in and out without getting stranded. Other than water breakers some resorts also keep their boats in the lagoon. Every resort has few boats used for various purposes. When they are not in use they are anchored in the lagoon. So, the lagoon near water sports centre should have enough space without any obstacle.

Professional and friendly instructor

In Maldives the water sports people are generally very good and helpful. The management monitors their service quality and they do a good job. For windsurfing beginners the practice starts right on the beach. They teach you the basic skills before taking you to water where the skills are demonstrated repeatedly while observing your mistakes. After a while all it takes is more practice.



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