PRIME EARLY SEASON DATES: APRIL 16TH - 24TH, 2027

Join Lotta & Claire on their annual Maldives adventure - an exclusive liveaboard surf journey aboard the stunning 90’ Handhu.

Over 8 nights, you’ll chase world-class waves across the Malé Atolls, with a wide range of breaks all within easy cruising reach. With just 10 guests onboard, this is a rare opportunity to experience the Maldives in a truly personal and elevated way.

Spaces are extremely limited and fill fast - secure your spot now and be part of this unforgettable adventure.

Trip prices are quoted in USD.
Payments may be made in your local currency via direct debit (no fees) or by credit card (low fees). IslandHop receives all payments in USD.

This is a true IslandHopping experience seeing places that very few visitors to the Maldives will ever visit. From Local villages to deserted sandbank islands. Chasing the best waves and seeking serenity.

Male’ Atolls Surf Experience – North & South

Early season swells are reliable . This consistency allows surfers to settle into a rhythm, build trust in their abilities and progressively challenge themselves in a supported, confidence-boosting environment. From flowing down long, open faces to testing yourself on slightly steeper, more powerful sections, the waves offer endless opportunities for growth, expression and breakthroughs.

With the guidance and encouragement of Claire Vanders, guests are supported every step of the way — learning how to read conditions, refine technique, paddle with purpose and choose the right wave at the right moment. Whether you're pushing for your first confident bottom turn or stepping a little deeper into the pocket, August provides the perfect canvas for personal progression. Combined with the sisterhood on board, expert guidance, and the raw magic of the Maldives, this month becomes not just a surf trip — but a transformative ocean experience.

A week in the Malé Atolls delivers a veritable buffet of waves, from long, down-the-line speed runs to playful walls and hollow tubes that will test even confident barrel riders. With a dozen or so quality reef breaks in close proximity, both shortboarders and longboarders will be equally stoked by the incredible variety and consistency on offer.

For Malé Atoll trips, we have 12 breaks to choose from within approximately six hours of cruising, stretching from Riptides in the South to Chickens in the North. The North Malé Atoll (Jails to Chickens – 6 breaks) is generally more consistent as it picks up more southerly swell.

The South Malé Atoll (Riptides to Tucky Joes – 6 breaks) can light up with a bit of east in the south swell and is often less crowded. All waves enjoy offshore conditions in west winds, making them some of the most user-friendly, high-performance reef breaks on the planet.

North Malé hosts iconic waves such as Cokes, Chickens, Sultans, Jailbreaks, Honkys and Ninjas, offering a balanced mix of rights and lefts — from forgiving point-style waves to punchier, hollower sections — all within around two hours’ cruising.

South Malé atoll is approx. 3 hr steam from Himmafushi and works best on larger East swells, generally breaking around 2 feet smaller than the North. As an example, a 1m, 14-second SE swell with west winds could see Sultans at 6ft+ while Quarters runs around 3–4ft.

This is not a learn-to-surf trip. Guests should be capable of catching their own waves and riding along the face. You will receive surf guidance and support throughout the journey, including in-water tips and encouragement, plus a digital photo package and some video analysis opportunities to help track your progression.

Board recommendation: Bring at least two boards – a mid-length to cover all conditions, and your preferred shortboard, fish or longboard for specific sessions. Board rentals may also be available locally.

Charlotte Pieper (Lotta) – Photographer & Co-Host, Waves & Frames RetreatsKnown as @lotta_and_the_waves,

Lotta is a photographer and visual storyteller from Europe, now based in Indonesia and working worldwide. With a refined eye for light, movement and emotion, her work is deeply inspired by the ocean and the cultures surrounding it.

Blending surf, travel and natural landscapes, she creates imagery that goes beyond documentation — capturing both the energy of the waves and the quiet moments in between, with a focus on connection, progression and presence.

Onboard Handhu with IslandHop Maldives, Lotta joins as both co-host and creative lead of the Waves & Frames – Surf Improvement Retreats. She will document the journey through a professional photo package, while also offering visual feedback, positioning guidance and tipps to help you elevate your surfing.

Claire Vanders – Co-Host & Surf GuideClaire Vanders is an experienced surfer and ocean woman from Western Australia, shaped by a lifetime spent in and around the sea. With a natural understanding of waves, line-ups and conditions, she brings a calm, grounded presence that allows surfers to feel both supported and challenged.

Now leading exclusive surf retreats across the Indian Ocean, Claire combines deep ocean knowledge with intuitive coaching. Her approach focuses on refining technique, improving wave reading and building confidence across a variety of conditions.

This marks Lotta and Claire’s fifth retreat together in three years — a partnership grounded in trust, creativity and a shared passion for helping surfers progress in a meaningful and supportive environment.

Together, they create a space where you feel encouraged, inspired and empowered — both in the water and beyond.

This is not a beginner or learn-to-surf retreat.

This experience is designed for independent surfers who already feel confident in the ocean and are looking to refine and elevate their surfing in a more intentional setting.

You should be comfortable:

* Catching your own waves consistently

* Riding along the face with control and flow

* Managing your board confidently in the impact zone (duck diving or eskimo rolling without letting go)

Throughout the journey, you’ll receive attentive, in-water guidance, subtle positioning adjustments and ongoing support in the line-up — all delivered in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.

Day 1: Arrival in paradise Seamless transfer to Handhu from Malé Velana International Airport or Hulumalé Jetty by early afternoon. Once all guests are onboard, we ease into the journey - with the possibility of a late afternoon surf session in nearby breaks.

Days 2–8: Exploration & SurfSeven full days of curated surf experiences across the North and South Malé Atolls, guided by conditions and local knowledge. Expect a dynamic itinerary, chasing the best waves each day, balanced with time to unwind onboard.A highlight of the journey includes a side trip to the Vaavu Atoll for a unique free-diving experience at the renowned Nurse Shark Sanctuary. Usually this will happen on the day with the least swell and gives your shoulders a nice reset from paddling.

Day 9: Final Session & DepartureDepending on conditions, enjoy a final morning surf before a smooth return transfer to Malé. Drop-off will be arranged approximately 3 hours prior to your departing flight.

We recommend booking outbound flights no earlier than early afternoon.

NB: If the group members are on different flights then the boat will depart the surf zone approx 5hrs before the earliest flight departure time on the final day. For groups with morning flight departures on the final day, we will overnight on the final night in HuluMale harbour, closer to airport as it is impossible to surf on the final day.

Book your flights to arrive Male' Velana international to arrive before midday on day 1 or even the day before and overnight in HulaMale' and sleep off jetlag. See booking.com for HulaMale' hotel options. This

Book your departure flights out of Male' Velana international, no earlier than early afternoon on the final day or you may choose to stay on in the Maldives for longer.