Lohis, the left-hand reef break that puts Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi on the world surfing map, had a rare makeover this October. From 11 to 18 October, the wave in North Malé Atoll was reserved entirely for women, as surf coach Elle Sampiere — founder of the SurferElle community — gathered 40 participants for an eight-day retreat blending surf coaching with yoga, snorkelling, diving, fishing and island excursions.
What made the week more than a photo op was the meeting of two worlds. Alongside the international guests, the resort hosted Surf Her Story, a Maldivian initiative founded by former professional surfer Maju Freitas with local surfers Aya Naseem and Rishtha Suja. Freitas started the programme after a first visit to the Maldives four years ago, when she noticed the country's world-class waves had almost no local girls in the water. Her goal now is to introduce more Maldivian girls to surfing while building confidence and a supportive community around them.
For visiting surfers, the retreat also showcased why Lohis works differently from most famous breaks. Access is controlled through a surf pass system capped at 45 registered surfers per day, so the line-up stays manageable even in peak season. Guests walk straight from their rooms to the wave, then return to an all-inclusive resort between sessions — a combination few surf destinations anywhere can match. The resort also runs boat trips to other celebrated breaks across North Malé Atoll, and the whole setup sits a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, making it one of the easiest fly-and-surf trips in the Indian Ocean.
The retreat points at a broader shift in surf travel: more women booking trips that pair wave time with wellness, connection and a supportive crowd rather than a competitive line-up. It also hints at where Maldivian surf tourism could go next — a destination building a local surf culture, not just importing one. For travellers, that means more options beyond the honeymoon-resort stereotype: surf-focused island stays with community stories attached.
If you have ever written off the Maldives as an overwater-villa-only destination, Lohis is the counter-argument. Bring a board or learn on site, and you can be in the water minutes after waking up.
