The Cobia experience is all about hunting for perfect surf, in comfort, at a reasonable price. Built by local craftsmen and designed especially for navigating the narrow reef passes that create the world-class waves the Maldives is known for, the veteran captain and surf guides put the boat’s maneuverability to the test searching out the best spots for the skill level of the surfer’s in your group and the least crowded waves on the day in the Male or Southern Atolls depending on the trip. The chef is also a longtime fixture on the Cobia and his culinary skills are held in high esteem by other crews within the charter fleet, so the dining on board is just as fantastic as the surfing in the water.

Built in 2005, at 21 meters (69ft.), the Cobia is big enough to accommodate a group of 10 surfers, but 8 is the recommended number for maximum room to move on the boat and when anchored next to an empty line-up, with overhead, crystal clear barrels as a group of South African surfers led by legendary Jeffrey’s Bay local Sean Holmes can attest. After a week perfecting their rail work on fun size waves, mixed in with plenty of deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, stand-up paddling and enjoying ice-cold beers watching the sunset, the group was blessed with 48 hours of flawless 4-6 foot groundswell with offshore winds.

Sean Holmes had this to say about the swell of the trip:

“We scored two days of absolute perfection. I’m pretty surfed out, fished out, and dived out. Now, I’m just hanging with my mates through the final leg of our journey, after a 10-hour marathon session yesterday. We got about 200 barrels between all of us… Just epic, epic, epic.”

Depending on the time of year, the Cobia is either cruising the world-renowned breaks in the Male Atolls or the less populated and more remote spots on offer in the Southern Atolls. Here’s what you can expect surf-wise from Sean’s experience:

“My first trip to the Maldives was to North Male Atoll and we had amazing waves. I surfed Cokes and Chickens. It was just nuts… 8 feet and just perfect. But after surfing Beacons yesterday and today, I find the Southern Atolls have a little bit more energy, and it’s a little bit more intense as well.”

As for the reason why Sean can’t get enough of the Maldives, this is it:

“For me, the best thing about these trips and coming to the Maldives, as opposed to going anywhere else in the world is just that you’re able to pull together a crew of really cool guys of different ages and you can spend your evenings having a good chat about real life stuff. You can surf the whole day, go fishing, go diving and just have an absolute blast.”