PRIME TIME DATES: AUGUST 2ND TO 10TH, 2026

$300 off for last 2 spots

Join Lotta & Claire on their annual Maldives adventure. This live-aboard charter onboard the incredible 90' Handhu is 8 nights in duration and you will surf the Male' atolls (a dozen waves within 6 hours cruising). In total there will be 12 onboard with 10 guests plus Lotta & Claire. Space filling fast - Secure your space on this epic adventure today.

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

August is when the Maldives truly comes alive for women ready to step into their power in the surf. Far from being intimidating, peak swell season brings consistent, long-period southern swells that create clean, reliable conditions almost every day. 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 Peiper aka Lotta (@lotta_and_the_waves) – Photographer & Co-Host, Waves & Frames Retreats

Lotta, known on Instagram as @lotta_and_the_waves, is an accomplished photographer and content creator from Europe, currently spending most of her time on location across Indonesia’s remote surf regions. With a trained eye for light, movement and storytelling, she draws deep inspiration from the ocean and the cultures that exist around it.

Her distinctive style blends surf action, travel, lifestyle and raw natural landscapes into a powerful visual narrative — capturing both the energy of the waves and the quiet, intimate moments between sessions. From golden-hour line-ups to candid life on board, Lotta’s work goes far beyond simple documentation; it tells the story of connection, progression and presence.

Onboard Handhu with IslandHop Maldives, Lotta plays a dual role as both creative documentarian and co-host of the “Waves & Frames – Surf Improvement Retreats.” She will be responsible for a professional digital photo package, while also offering visual guidance, positioning feedback and video analysis to help guests better understand their surfing and track genuine progression throughout the journey.

Claire Vanders – Co-Host & Surf Guide

Claire Vanders is an accomplished surfer and ocean woman from Western Australia, shaped by years of living in, on and around the sea. With an intuitive understanding of waves, line-ups and ocean conditions, she carries a calm authority that instantly puts surfers at ease.

Now dedicating her time to running exclusive surf retreats across the Indian Ocean, Claire blends deep ocean knowledge with supportive leadership, helping guests refine technique, improve wave reading and build confidence in a variety of conditions.

This marks Lotta and Claire’s third retreat together in two years — a partnership built on trust, creativity and a shared vision of empowering surfers through connection, mindful progression and unforgettable time in the water.

Together, they create a space where guests feel supported, inspired and encouraged to step into their full potential — both on the wave and beyond.

This is not a learn-to-surf trip. Guests should be very capable of catching their own waves and riding along the face and not just going straight ahead. You should be able to manage your board when caught in the impact zone (duck dive/eskimo roll etc. without throwing board).

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.

Day 1: Transfer to Handhu from Malè Velana aiport or HuluMale' jetty by early afternoon on Day 1. If everyone is onboard by early afternoon then we can get you a late afternoon surf.

Days 2-8: 7 full surf days all over the Nth & Sth Malè atolls., Including sidetrip to Vaavu atoll to free-dive at the Nurse Shark Sanctuary

Day 9: Potential to surf the morning and delivery to Malè’ airport 2 hours prior to flight departure time ** Book flights to depart no earlier than early afternoon on the final day.

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.