Finolhu

General Conditions Maldives:

The North Male Atoll contains the more well known and surfed breaks of the Maldives. The North Male Atoll probably offers the most consistent spots especially during the summer months June and July. Most spots are well protected from the dominant south westerly winds and the reef set ups usually pick up quite a lot of swell. Some of the breaks in North Male are perfectly shaped and offer highest wave quality. Unfortunately the spots are prone to heavy crowds, because the breaks can be accessed so easily. There are plenty of boats operating in this area and many resorts offer surf transfers to the breaks. The Central Atolls including the Meemu, Thaa and Laamu and the Outer Atolls including Gaafu Dhaalu and Addu offer more than 30 world class reef breaks that are rarely surfed. Occasional troublesome weather patterns with heavy storms during the months of June to August make it difficult to cross channels between the atolls and to operate surf charter trips without well equipped boats in this area. Logistical challenges of food supply and technical support add to the fact that only very few boats stay in this area for a longer period of time. This vessel offers safety standards and equipment that allows to operate in the more remote regions for sporadic trips. Therefore it can guarantee empty breaks. While it may happen that you will see another charter vessel during your stay you will have the breaks on your own for the most of your time. It is not based down there permanently though and extra costs for relocation may apply.

Conditions North & South Male Atolls:

The North & South Male Atolls usually offer the most consistent surf conditions of all parts of the maldives. Pretty much all of the spots are facing to the east or south east and are a well protected from predominant south westerly winds. Occasional southerly winds may affect the spots in the North Male Atoll more easily than in the South Male Atoll where spots are facing more to the east rather than south east. Especially the spots in the North Male Atoll pick up a lot of swell and have proven to be quite consistent. The South Male Atoll is always smaller but once big enough can offer awesome breaks.

Detailed spot decriptions of North Male Atoll:

• "Chickens"
  (lefthander) is probably the fastest wave in the North Male atoll. It holds swell size from 3ft to well over 10ft and provides rides up to 500m long. A good place to go if spots to the south are too big.

• "Cokes (Colas)" Righthander
  breaks 3-10ft and is fairly protected from the southerly winds that may affect other breaks such as "Lohis". This wave has been well photographed and is the hollowest in the North Male atoll. This will test your tube-riding ability.

• "Lohis" Lefthander
  a long spitting left-hander that breaks off Lohifushi Resort - very consistent (paddle looks easy, but not recommended, strong current out to sea!

• "Ninjas" Righthander
  breaks off Kani Resort. fast and sometimes quite fickle.

• "Pasta Point" Lefthander
  a fun left hander that breaks 4-8ft. At 6ft is a perfect wackable face. Please note: you may or may not be welcome here as the resort next to the break owns exclusive rights on the spot.

• "Honky's"Lefthander
  is a fast wrapping left at 4-6ft and needs the right swell direction.

• "Sultans"
  (righthander). Just paddle up the peak at "Sultans" and keep paddling about 100 yards to the peelign wave.”Sultans is an easy right hand take off which leads you to an intense wrapping section at the end. Breaks 3-8ft. Please note: this wave is the most protected from the southerly winds in the North Male atoll and collects the most swell - so go there if it is small. NORTH MALE Atoll

• “Jailbreaks”
  (righthander). Super nice long and speedy walls. Quite consistent break with basically two take off zones. Fast and hollow end sections will challenge you.

Detailed Spot Descriptions of South Male Atoll:

• "Quarters" Righthander
  Really nice, fast little right-hander that picks up less swell than most other places. Best in winds W to NW. Named after the resort workers’ quarters on the island.

• "Last Stops" Righthander
  Fast wave with a great bowl section.

• "Gurus" Lefthander
  is near the Southern tip of North Male Atoll and near the capital island of Maldives, Male. A left that works well when there is a north wind and a big south swell.

• "Natives" Righthander
  Located near the Kandooma Resort, on the eastern reefs of the North Male Atoll. Surfers are provided with a short right, which works well with a South West wind and a solid swell.

• "Twin Peaks" or "Left & Rights"
  Located on the eastern reef of South Male Atoll, Twin Peaks picks up more swell than most of the breaks in South Male’ Atoll.

• "Riptides" Righthander
  Small reef in the middle of the channel on the southern side of the island; fast right-hander, one of the best waves in the area. The area is subject to strong currents. Best on W to SW winds.

Conditions Central Atolls:

The Meemu, Thaa and Laamu Atoll offer spots exposed to all directions and for all levels. All Spots in the Meemu Atoll are on a coast line facing to the east. There is always a left or a right hander well protected from the predominant south westerly wind directions. South easterly or even easterly winds may affect all spot negatively. All spots are close to each other so that you can change spots within a few minutes! The Thaa Atoll picks up south east swell and may be even bigger than spots on east facing coastlines of other atolls. Due to its secluded location it is almost guaranteed that you will not even spot another surf charter during your stay. The spots are well protected from North to Northwest winds. Conditions may be fickle with other wind directions. This area will be choosen only in very stable weather conditions. Spots in the Laamu Atoll are spread from the south facing coastline along the east facing up to the north east corner where waves wrap around. As a result you will find spots protected from all wind directions except a rare straight easterly breeze.

Detailed Spot Descriptions of Meemu Atoll:

• "Veyvah" Left Hander
  Perfect wave with long wall. Easy take of with several options with long rides. Not too heavy - Great Fun.

• "Mulha" Right Hander
  Can hold bigger swells. Easy to ride even when it is big. Good for intermediates and even beginners.

• "Mulha" Left Hander
  Pretty shallow, fast wave. Works only in certain times of conditions.

• "Muli Inside/F1" Righthander.
  Very fast, long walls, hollow, barreling, can be shallow but still save ending. Very well protected from southerly winds. Needs bigger swells.

• "Muli Outside/Mushrooms" Righhander
  Picks up more swell, good in sw winds, long walls, can max out easily, on the corner easy exit.

Detailed Spot Descriptions of Thaa Atoll:

• “Malik’s” Lefthander
  When the wind is from the southeast and the swell is large from the southwest you should head to the island of Hirilandhoo. The reef pass there can produce some great barrels on long and speedy walls.

• "Adonis" Righthander
  needs bigger swells as it is more protected. Can get fast and hollow, shallow sections. If it is on the rides can be pretty long.

• "Outside and Inside Mikados" Righthander
  Powerfull waves with fast, hollow walls. Can produce some awesome barrels. Catches more swell than other spots in this area but is less protected to winds. When it is on it can give you the surf of your lifetime.

• "Finnimas " Lefthander
  Speedy, shallow left that can produce some firing waves. When it is on it can provide some greenroom time.

• "Finnimas" Righthander
  On the other side of the island there is a right hander that sometimes breaks.

• “Timarafuri” Lefthander
  Pretty straight reef. Tends to close out. Can be fun in a sectiony swell with a beach break style.

Detailed Spot Decriptions of Laamu Atoll:

• "Langon Bank" Righthander
  which needs large easterly swell but very well protected from southerly winds. This spot is rarely surfed due to a lack of anchorage. Surf charters stop by on the way to the south.

• "Opposite Tsunamis" Lefthander
  This break picks up probably the most swell of all east facing spots in the Laamu atoll. As the reef is quite straight it tends to close out though. When Tsunamis is too small this left can be fun though. It is well protected from westerly to northerly winds.

• “Tsunamis” Righthander
  When it is on it is on! When the swell is big this wave is just perfect. It has three parts to it. The outside, corner and the inside. All three parts are connecting when the swell is right and make the wave tons of fun. Usually you take of at the outside. The reef is pretty straight here and you can pull into the barrel just after take off. When you are fast enough you get to the corner where waves are a bit more mellow and give you a little break to do performance turns. Stay on from there to the inside and you will get another long and heavy barrel section. Unfortunately this waves is always smaller than Ying Yang and has its flat spells. Also currents can get very heavy to make this impossible to surf.

• "Refugee’s Left" Lefthander
  Heavy left that tends to close out. Picks up a lot of swell.

• "Refugee’s Right" Righthander
  Fast and shallow take off. Barelling, spitting, perfect wave. Only for those who can handle the speed! Quite dangerous wave. Tsunamis usually works better.

• "Ying Yang" Righthander
  First surfed by Callahans 1996 boat trip with Pat O'Connell and Satoshi Sekino, Yin Yang got epic during Oxbow seaplane trip in June 2004. Yin Yang is a long and typical outside -typical reef corner right in a pass. Outside is a mellow wall, often cross shore, with safe rides in deep water. Then, the wave bends in the corner, mush out for a while, then wraps into one of the most critical sections in the Maldives. Inside section can be long and tubular, guys getting barreled 3 times but it can be fairly heavy too on pretty uneven reef, producing potential intimidating barrels on the first bend.

Conditions Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll:

It is said that the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll (also named Huvadhoo Atoll) offers the best conditions of the Maldives. It works best in March, April and September to November. It picks up more swell than any other Atoll in the Maldives and from every direction. The Gaafu Dhaalu offers the greatest quantitity and variety of spots. To almost every island on the outside of the atoll you will find one or two breaks. There is everything from barreling and hollow walls to soft and never ending playful waves. May to August can be fickle as the wind turns more southerly and may affect some of the south facing spots. During the windy days the Gaafu Dhaalu still offers good surfing on the east facing part of the atoll. There are plenty of reef passages with left and right handers. They pick up less swell than the south facing spots but will be mostly big enough as it is peak swell time in June and July. The great advantage during that time is that there are no crowds guaranteed. 
Please note: There will be a resort opening close to the break of Blue Bowls. It is unclear when the resort opens and if it will affect crowd levels at this break.

Detailed spot description of Gaafu Dhaalu:

• "Kaededhdhoo or Airports" Righthander
  is fun when the swell is large. As it is on the west side of the atoll it doesnt receive as much swell as the other breaks. Lucky Punters will score good at Airports with a strong S-SW swell and NE wind.

• "Beacons" or "Barracuda Point" Righthander
  2 hrs away from the airport, at the first southern reef pass. Touted as the Maldive's gutsiest wave, Beacons powerful rights tube onto a shallow, unforgiving reef. SW swells will break down the reef, but a SE swell will create peaks slamming straight onto close-out sections of coral. Beacons is flanked by an unnamed left across the channel, which have its days in a big swell and tend to go unridden.

• "Dhigulaabadhoo/ Castaways" Lefthander
  across the channel from beacons we call it dhiraagu after the phone company in the maldives as the island is shaped like a phone. a sort of fat ride on the takeoff and if the swell direction is right can link up with another section on the inside where it produces a bit more speed and power, needs same wind as beacons and can be surfed on all tides.plenty of marine life around here common to see whale sharks.

• "Blue Bowls" or "Voodoos" Righthander
  Blue Bowls is the most flexible right, tucked inside the pass and protected from SW-W Winds. More of a point style wave, it has good a length of ride and nice bowly sections for performance moves. All swells, all tides and all sizes.

• "Gani Point" or "Five Islands" Righthander
  Five Islands is another righthander that breaks hard and hollow on the shallow reef inside. The eoutside section encourages deep takeoffs into racy walls and handles the biggest swells at all tides.

• "Booga Reef" or "Two Ways" Right+Lefthander
  Left and righthander - with the right usually coming up better but it needs a big swell to hit its protected position, making it at favourite with intermediates. Fun, peeling, long walls with a bit of depth to the water.

• "Love Charms" Lefthander
  are actually several reliable lefts, which can handle E winds and any size of swell. Low tide is the best when it is small, soft and broken into two distinct sections. Bigger swell morph into a long, hollow wall, with protected pockets.
  

• "Rockets" or "Tiger Stripes" Lefthander
  Named after the narrow gouges in the reef that give a striped effect, Tigers has some real growling left in a strong swell. Tricky take offs into a long speedy wall before committing to an inside tube section that wraps and peters out in the channel. Unimpressive when small, it always seems to be bigger than everywhere else. All tides, all variations of S Swells and and any N Wind.

• "KH"
  KH is almost east coast and the two distinct take off spots link together in bigger swell and tide conditions.

• "Koodhoo and Viligili" Right+Lefthanders.
  East facing spots. Very well protected from dominant westerly winds.

Conditions Addu Atoll:

The Addu Atoll is basically not described at all yet. Nevertheless some adventurous surfers have discovered the area and found several spots on the south but also at the west and east facing parts of the atoll. Especially the left hander on the island of Vilingili and the right hander just south of Gan are known to offer good days. The Addu Atoll doesn’t have the perfectly shaped soft breaking waves. It is technically more challenging as it requires more flexibility to make the sections or to get enough speed out of the less powerful faces. The swell exposure is the best of the whole Maldives. It is rare that it goes flat even in between Dec and March. During the summer months from June to August the monsoon wings more to the south east than in the other atolls which favors spots exposed to the west.

Detailed Spot Descriptions of Addu Atoll:

• "Airport Lights" Righthander:
  Very fast and powerful righthander that tends to close out unless you are really fast. If you make the sections you will be rewarded with nice barrels. If you are not you will definitely end up on the shallow reef. The spot is well protected from west to south west winds especially if the swell is large and once you can surf the more northern parts of the reef corner. Outsides can be really throwing and intimidating.

• "Vilingili/Madihera" Lefthander:
  This spot picks up a lot of swell but tends to be fickle. In the right wind directions it offers a fun lefthander with different sections and take off points. The waves hit from deep water and provide some heavy barrels at certain spots of the reef. The bottom of the reef is a bit uneven which makes the wave funny at times and changes from heavy to soft within a few meters. For those of you that can adapt quickly the Vilingili left can be tons of fun and high quality. Once the winds swings around more to the south east the end section of this wave can be firing.

• "Vilingili Right":
  Needs swell from westerly directions to stay open. Clean and small swells work the best at this spot.

• "Mulikede/Kanda Muli Left":
  Beach break type reef as it is too straight for a point break. Can be fun with small swells. Then there are tons of peaks favoring lefts.

• "Hithado/Kottey Right":
  Left Hander beach break type reef. Works in easterly and southerly wind directions. The spot is accessible by land. Take a cab from equator village or hire a motorcycle. The spot is in front of a dump and can have its heavy days.

• "Gaukendi Bridge" Left:
  Works best when all other spots are too small. Then it may offer some short but fun rides on the south side of the bay.

“Surf, explore, and unwind on Finolhu. Just the perfect size for a group of 6-15 looking for a vibrant Maldivian surfing tour, with flexibility and laid back comfort within a budget price. Satisfaction guaranteed onboard and on each wave!”

• Name and type of the Vessel: FINOLHU – Liveaboard designed for small group Divers and Surfers
• Hull: Wooden, Double deck
• Renovated and completed in: December 2008
• Max PAX: 15 (Fiifteen)
• Length: 19 meters
• Beam: 5 meters
• Depth: 1.5 meters
• Cabins: 5 cabins in accommodation-deck (All cabins with triple beds)
  
  • All cabins with en-suits, running hot and cool water, air-conditioning and decorated with a traditional wood finish
  • Music / Audio control in each room
  • Air-conditioning throughout (individual control)
• Main Saloon: Finolhu Dining Hall / Buffet style
• Entertainment: TV, DVD player, Library and different board games
• Fresh Water: 2,000 liters / 24 Hrs
• Main Engine: YANMAR/240 HP
• Diesel: 3,500 liters
• Max Cruising Speed: 10 Knots
• Generator: 1 x KOHLER 17kW soundproof generators, 1 x ONAN 10kW
• Electricity: 220/50Hz continues and stable
• Communication: VHF Radio/ GPS chart plotter, Telephone/mobile
• Number of Crew:  3-4 crews on board who have had a lot of experience on dive/surf safaris

As with all Faunu Boats, Finolhu provides flexibility in tour planning. The night before you hit the first wave, our local Finolhu surfing guide will give you several options within selected atolls close by and let you know what to expect from each wave depending on the location.  Ask the captain for info on tide changes during the week. Its up to you guys to plan the route of your trip with your guide. So choose the surfing points depending on how much of a speed you want to surf on that day, and kick off!

It is full on wave action everyday once you decide on the perfect point. Finolhu will be anchored on the chosen spot so that you can surf the whole day if you want.

• Everyday, your guide calls you before daybreak at 5 am. Wake up with fresh coffee brewed onboard and hit the first wave right after.
• Breakfast is served around 7, and then it is up to you to chill for a bit and get back to the water again, this time probably with a change of wave action due to tide changes.
• Lunch is on at 12.30, then its chill and surf until sunset.
• After dinner you can just unwind on the boat deck. Tell us if you would prefer something different after the surfing action ends everyday, like a fishing trip at a nearby reef, or a barbecue on a deserted island beach nearby.
• Tell us if you are up for some pampering in a nearby tourist resort, or if you would like to explore the vibrant life on the capital island Male’. We will arrange almost anything that is possible on the Maldivian shores!

Surf Package Prices:
Price per night (24 hours) and full charter depending on number of guests in USD:
# of guests    North & South Male    Central Atolls    Southern Atolls
6                               950                    1125            1200
7                             1000                    1175            1250
8                             1050                    1225            1300
9                             1100                    1275            1350
10                           1150                    1325            1400
11                           1200                    1375            1450
12                           1250                    1425            1500

Notes on prices:
* all bookings are subject to a 60 service and banking fee
* price is without surf guide but one can be hired for 66 USD in the North & South Male Atoll and for 78 USD in all other Atolls
* every additional person over 12 guests 50 USD extra per night
* domestic flights can be booked extra to current prices (approx. 300 USD return to Laamu and 360 USD to Gaaf Dhaal)
* checkin roughly at 2 pm
* checkout roughly at 12 noon
* All rates are subject to change according to following conditions.
    Increase or decrease of the fuel market price.
    Revaluation or devaluation of local currency or US Dollars.
    Change of Government Bed Tax rate (GBT) and General Sales Tax (GST)
* Minimum Stay:
   - North & South Male Atoll: 5 nights
   - Central Atolls: 9 nights
   - Southern Atolls: 12 nights

Charter Rates for small groups:

• Just pay the price of 6 pax and you are ready to depart. For details see "package price" section.

What you can get within this package:

• We will welcome you at the airport – Faunu style. It is surprise - you will only know when you see us!
• Full Board accommodation will include buffet style breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner. We always make sure that the food served on board is of international standard.
• Rates are inclusive of Government Bed Tax and GST, which will be charged separately to the total invoice value.
• Feel free to borrow our fishing gear and snorkeling equipments while onboard. We can stopover on some of the most awesome swimming lagoons on the way to a surfing point.
• You will each get one bottle of Mineral water (1.5 liters) per day. That is in addition to the complimentary water you get during meal times.
• We will be happy to arrange one desert Island BBQ free of charge, as long as you stay minimum 5 nights in the above prices. You could actually catch your own fish on a nearby reef on the way to the island. Our chef will cook it for you on the beach grill and serve it with the best food and freshly made local sauces to complement just the type of fish you have caught.
• Feel free to chill all day long with our complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits.
• Let us know if you would like to see what goes on in a local fishing village or in the capital island Male’. We can arrange it for free depending on the itinerary and if you request in advance.
• You can also take time to see a tourist resort island, also depending on the itinerary and if you request in advance. The entrance fee to the island (if required) is not included and must be paid by each visitor.

What you need to pay for outside package price:

• Any alcoholic beverages on board or elsewhere.•    On request we can provide a local surf guide for the trip with an additional  (US$ 66/Day for North and South Male) and (US$ 78/Day for Central Atolls and Southern Atolls).
• Hiring scuba diving gear or diving trips.
• Meals taken from outside the vessel (except on the pre-arranged beach barbecue trip, of course!).
• Spa treatments on visiting islands
• Jet skis, wind surf boars or other water sport facilities (you need to request in advance).

What is not available within this package:

• Surfboards, helmets, suits, or any other surf equipments.
• Personal travel insurance.
• The airport/airline taxes.
• Laundry services for personal items.

Diving
If your are diving in Maldives, you will probably come across many sites named falhu, kandu, or thila. All of these are local names describing a reef, deep blue, or maybe a lagoon. Faunu boats will take you on a treasure hunt to explore and experience these beauties.

Fishing
Faunu can combine a fishing trip somewhere along your holiday schedule, whether you are on a diving, surfing, cruising, or a business trip, it does not matter. Here is what we do:
We will pack some coconuts, dried fish and dates – not as bait for fish, but as perfect Maldivian snacks for those fishing. We will set off for a sunset fishing trip around 5 pm, on a bright sunny day. While your cruisers take in the changing colors of the setting sun, we find the perfect spot to drop the anchor. The captain instructs you how to use the lines, hooks, and sinkers given to you on board. By sunset we are all settled. Simply drop your lines and wait for the nibble of a grouper, snapper, emperor, jack, squirrelfish, or barracuda and start catching. In an hour and half, you will have more than enough reef fish o fill the barbeque grill set up by our boats o that deserted island you see on your right.
* Please inquire for fishing rates

Cruising
This is one thing many Maldivians do best. Ask anyone who has visited an island inhabited by local people and the one thing they have probably noted unconsciously is that Maldivians are cruisers, both on land and water. Rushing is not really our thing.
Cruising with Faunu boats is learning about Maldives, in an unhurried yet concerned fashion. We take time to notice all the treasures around us, by travelling from island, snorkeling from reef to reef, meeting people in local villages, and taking care of our beautiful surroundings. At the same time we are happy to let you choose to spend one whole day on a deserted island doing nothing but discovering at your own pace.
* Please inquire for cruising rates

All meals on board are served buffet style. That is breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner. Our meals fit international standard, with the freshest ingredients available, including fresh fish caught on your trip of course.

You could also catch your own fish and ask our chef to cook it for you on the beach grill on a deserted island, serve with authentic Maldivian food and live bodu beru music. All day complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits are available for those opting to chill on the deck for a while.

You shoud snack and eat Maldivian style in between those surfs. Remember to ask about the mouth freshening follow up to every meal – the dhufun with betel leaves, areca nuts and sweet spices. Or try the coconuts, dried fish and dates, the perfect Maldivian snack to munch on while you cruise from one location to another.

The Operator is one of the most experienced travel operators in the maldives. They are running surf trips since many years now.

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