Sultans
Sultans is one of the Maldives' most consistent waves—a long, peeling right-hander in the North Male Atoll that works on a wide range of swell sizes. The wave offers multiple sections over coral reef, with barrel opportunities on the right swell. Accessible by boat from Male or nearby resorts, Sultans is a staple of any Maldives surf charter. The turquoise water and consistent conditions make this a tropical right-hander paradise.
Sultans 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
- 160° - 210°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 230° - 310°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.3m
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Boat from Male or resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Sultans?
Sultans is a reef break in North Male Atoll, Maldives, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Sultans?
Sultans was named by Australian surfer Tony Hinde, who was shipwrecked in the Maldives in 1973 and stayed on to pioneer surfing there.
What swell works best at Sultans?
Sultans picks up swell from the SSE round to the SSW, 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 Sultans?
A W wind is dead offshore at Sultans, and anything from the SW round to the NW keeps it clean. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Sultans?
Sultans is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.3m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Sultans?
The most reliable run of swell at Sultans comes Mar to Oct. March-October SW monsoon season brings consistent swell.
How cold is the water at Sultans?
The water at Sultans 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 Sultans good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Shallow reef sections. Boat access required.
How do I get to Sultans?
The nearest airport on our list is MLE. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $80 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat from Male or resort.
What other surf spots are near Sultans?
The closest breaks we track are Honky's (0.5 km), Chickens (2.1 km) and Pasta Point (8.0 km), handy when Sultans isn't working. We track 4 spots around North Male Atoll in total.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
March-October SW monsoon season brings consistent swell.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Honky's
🤙 Sultans' powerful neighbor • Heavy left • Bigger swell option
Chickens
🐔 Maldives for everyone • Forgiving left • No resort required
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
Plan a trip around Sultans
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.