Early in August 2023, it was apparent that the longstanding SE swell train was about to shift into another gear.
A huge fetch of South to SE winds from the Western Australian coast all the way to the equator was being driven by a low-pressure system squeezing up against a high. When the swell period exceeded 12 seconds on SE swells, some of the Male Atolls breaks went next level. We called it – and then it happened! Swell of the season – at least to date. With the Indian Ocean Dipole moving in to positive, we are seeing indications that it could be matched or exceeded around 30th August 2024
Let the pictures do the talking.
Paddle!!! Stepladder Sets in the Maldives. by Jinu
Legit stand-up Barrels at Kandooma Right, 6 August. by Jinu
The lefts at Tucky Joes also turned on as the swell filled in.
Check out some of the drone footage of those sets marching in under blue skies.
View this post on Instagram
A few more social pics, noting that nobody was in the water. It seems very few surfers came prepared to take on this sort of size in the Maldives!
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
That swell energy even made it to the capital Male:
The good news is that another round of SE swell is building now and should peak at around 6 feet @ 11 seconds from August 18, lasting for at least the next 5 days. Any surfers lucky enough to be in the Maldives are going to score again!
MALDIVES SURF TRAVEL SPECIALS
Azure skies, golden sands, and sparkling turquoise waters make Kandooma Maldives the perfect spot for couples, honeymooners and families
Azure skies, golden sands, and sparkling turquoise waters make Kandooma Maldives perfect