Chickens
Chickens is the Maldives' most accessible quality wave—a fun, forgiving left-hander in the North Male Atoll that's open to all surfers (unlike resort-exclusive Pasta Point). The wave works on smaller swells, making it more consistent, and the reef is more user-friendly for intermediate surfers. Boat access from Male or safari boat is required, but it's affordable and uncomplicated. Bathwater-warm turquoise perfection without the exclusivity.
Chickens surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 150° - 220°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Boat access from Male or safari boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Chickens?
Chickens is a reef break in North Male Atoll, Maldives, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Chickens?
Chickens picks up swell from the SSE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Chickens?
A N wind is dead offshore at Chickens, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Chickens?
Chickens has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Chickens?
The most reliable run of swell at Chickens comes Mar to Oct. Works on smaller swells than Pasta Point.
How cold is the water at Chickens?
The water at Chickens averages around 29°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Chickens good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Coral reef. More forgiving than Pasta Point.
How do I get to Chickens?
The nearest airport on our list is MLE. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $100 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat access from Male or safari boat.
What other surf spots are near Chickens?
The closest breaks we track are Honky's (2.0 km), Sultans (2.1 km) and Pasta Point (8.1 km), handy when Chickens isn't working. We track 4 spots around North Male Atoll in total.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Works on smaller swells than Pasta Point.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Honky's
🤙 Sultans' powerful neighbor • Heavy left • Bigger swell option
Sultans
👑 Maldives staple • Consistent right • Turquoise perfection
Pasta Point
🇲🇻 Best left in Maldives • Resort exclusive • 30-surfer limit
Jailbreaks
🔓 Prison-island right • Budget-friendly • Democratic Maldives
Cokes
🥤 Budget Maldives • Named after Coca-Cola • Accessible quality