5 sustainable Maldives resorts for surfers that will blow your mind
- EcoOceanEscapes
- Apr 2, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 19
Looking for eco-friendly resorts in the Maldives for your next surf trip? Discover five inspiring places to stay, all of which are taking strides to reduce their environmental impact while offering incredible luxury stays.
If there’s one thing that comes to mind when you think about the Maldives, it’s luxury travel. But for us, it's also surf.
This Indian Ocean paradise boasts some incredible waves, not to mention stunning island resorts perfect for solo surfers, honeymooning couples and families alike. Experienced surfers flock here for the peak season swells, while beginners can enjoy the long, peeling rights and lefts that break gently throughout the year.
The Maldives is no stranger when it comes to sustainable stays, with many of the newer resorts incorporating eco-friendly principles into their design and operation. For eco-conscious surfers, this means you can score epic waves and stay in unparalleled luxury, all while supporting local conservation efforts and community development projects.
In this article, we'll highlight five sustainably-run Maldives resorts for surfers, all of which take luxury (and unforgettable surf experiences) to new heights.
An overwater restaurant surrounded by coral reef at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives (photo courtesy of Expedia)
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Soneva Fushi is a paradisiacal resort that champions sustainability, with a low-key luxury aesthetic and impressive green credentials. Guests are ensconced in thatched-roofed mansions dotted amidst the island's greenery - the privacy here is sublime! The interiors feature recycled bamboo and eucalyptus wood while the fabrics are from Barefoot, a company that employs rural women in Sri Lanka.
Every detail of the resort focuses on reducing its environmental impact, from recycling waste into stunning glass artworks to ensuring local and sustainable supply chains. Even the surf school utilises up-cycled equipment so guests can ride the secluded breaks guilt-free. This has allowed Soneva Fushi to become an almost completely carbon-neutral operation, with 2% of room revenue dedicated to offsetting any remaining footprint.
This small fee has made a big impact, channeling crucial funds into the Soneva Foundation to support a diverse array of eco-friendly initiatives. From investing in carbon offset projects to pioneering chemical-free mosquito control, Soneva Fushi has walked the walk when it comes to minimising environmental harm.
As stewards of the Maldives’ fragile marine ecosystems, Soneva Fushi also partners with prominent NGOs to protect biodiversity in the surrounding waters and safeguard threatened marine species. The most ambitious ocean initiative to date by this sustainable Maldives resort is undoubtedly its annual coral propagation program, which regrows 150,000 corals to rehabilitate degraded reefs.
Aside from its sustainability practices, Soneva Fushi offers an escape from the stresses of modern life. Here, shoes are left at the door as guests step into a slower rhythm and disconnect from their devices. The resort's remote location, green philosophy and chic yet laidback aesthetic create the ultimate island retreat to relax, recharge and return to the world renewed.
When it comes to waves, Soneva Fushi offers eco-friendly surfing tours in the pristine Baa and Noonu Atolls. Their experienced local guides will help you access secret surf breaks that most tourists never discover, all within 30 minutes from shore.
The resort is proud to operate the world's first fully sustainable surfing program, providing top-quality surf gear made from recycled materials, rather than new plastics that pollute our oceans. All in all, this is definitely one of the most sustainable resorts in the Maldives for a surf vacation.
“Heaven on earth!” - Moath (read more reviews here)
A land of private islands, stilted mansions and every conceivable shade of blue, Soneva Jani adds its weight to the Soneva brand in the stunning Noonu Atoll. Interconnected by a network of elevated wooden walkways, the sprawling villas of this sustainable Maldives resort feature soaring thatched roofs, open-air living spaces and expansive private decks (most with infinity pools and breathtaking ocean views).
But it's not just the overt luxury that makes this such an incredible destination for a sustainable surf vacation. With resident experts like marine biologists and astronomers on hand, you'll gain fascinating insights into the marine life below the surface and the celestial wonders above.
Aside from its proximity to undiscovered surf breaks, Soneva Jani offers an endless array of activities for surfing and non-surfing family members alike. You can indulge in a gourmet picnic on a deserted island, take in a movie at the outdoor cinema or explore the islands' forested interiors on foot.
With just 51 overwater villas and seven island residences, Soneva Jani maintains an exclusive atmosphere as one of the world’s lowest-density resorts. Each villa is designed for ultimate privacy, providing guests with copious personal space both indoors and out.
The overwater villas are particularly impressive, featuring multiple stories with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that provide 180-degree views of the seascape. Sliding doors open onto private pools and sundecks overlooking the translucent lagoon while inside, the villas exude simple elegance with high ceilings, creamy furnishings and carved woodwork.
But let's talk about the waves. Within minutes of departing the resort by speedboat, you can expect crowd-free lineups and a paradisiacal backdrop that dreams are made of. At this eco-friendly Maldives resort, all surf equipment is sustainably made from recycled materials, with Soneva operating the world's first completely eco-friendly surfing program.
"Heaven on earth with the best services, delicious food and amazing experiences.” - Marketa (read more reviews here)
Sustainable Maldives surf resorts
An eclectically decorated villa with a plunge pool at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives (photo courtesy of Expedia)
This luxurious Maldives eco-resort is a shining example of sustainable tourism, seamlessly blending barefoot luxury with environmental stewardship. After a scenic 35-minute flight from Male, you're immediately immersed in what is unarguably an island paradise. Dotted with palm trees and surrounded by a house reef, the resort epitomises a back-to-nature experience.
That being said, the comforts of the 97 beach and water villas are anything but "rustic". Thatched roofs and natural wood interiors blend effortlessly with modern amenities, ensuring the resort sits harmoniously within the environment. Many of the villas boast private infinity pools that extend out over the cerulean waters of the Indian Ocean. They have to be seen to be believed!
Tropicsurf is the team behind wave-hunting at Six Senses Laamu and believes that surfing should be accessible to everyone. If you’re just starting out, they offer lessons focused on building confidence and skills gradually in a judgement-free environment (falling off is all part of the journey here).
For those with disabilities, adaptive equipment and specialised training ensure surfing is still an option at this sustainable Maldives surf resort. For hardcore surfers, Tropicsurf offers exclusive access to remote, world-class breaks - some of these places are known only by their seasoned guides.
Aside from offering access to incredible surf, what truly sets Six Senses Laamu apart is its comprehensive sustainability program. The resort is 100% committed to protecting its island ecosystem while benefiting the local community. Much of the produce comes straight from the resort's organic garden or nearby farms and fisheries, with the resort chefs crafting menus around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Additionally, there are programs for reef restoration, sea turtle conservation and marine education to preserve the underwater world that surrounds the resort. Admirably, Six Senses has gone plastic-free and implements rigorous composting and recycling policies. Not only that but the resort runs on renewable energy from solar panels and desalination plants.
Thanks to these initiatives, a surf vacation at this eco-friendly Maldives resort gives you peace of mind that you're not trashing the environment you've come to experience. In our opinion, Six Senses Laamu provides a blueprint for how luxury travel can be a force of good in safeguarding the environment for generations to come.
"Impeccable service, breathtaking beauty, and attention to detail.” - Ima (read more reviews here)
Eco-friendly resorts in Maldives
A treehouse-inspired restaurant at the eco-friendly Niyama Resort in the Maldives (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Forming part of the remote Dhaalu Atoll, Niyama Resort is an award-winning tropical haven for surfers seeking luxury and adventure during their Maldives vacation. Its eco-friendly villas are perched atop the shimmering waters of the Indian Ocean, with shades of turquoise and cerulean blue stretching as far as the eye can see.
If you stay at this sustainably-run Maldives resort, you'll enjoy exclusive access to the property's fringing coral reefs, as well as world-class surf breaks just minutes away by boat. While the home break Vodi is regularly outstanding and just a short paddle away, the nearby barrelling right-handers at Mauroofs and Hocus Pocus offer excellent options when Vodi is small. Basically, surfers staying at Niyama Resort are spoiled for choice.
Niyama is beautifully designed to provide a luxury surfing experience, with unbeatable, personalised service that caters to each guest's needs. There are experiences for every type of traveller, from high-thrill water sports to blissfully relaxed days spent lounging on the beach or learning about Maldivian culture. You can also enjoy exceptional snorkelling and diving on the nearby reefs, as well as wakeboarding, sailing and guided boat excursions.
When it comes to refuelling, this eco-friendly Maldives surf resort boasts seven dining venues, including the world's first underwater restaurant located within a coral reef. All of the villas have private pools and open-air bathrooms, with your choice of overwater and beachside properties. Additionally, there's an onsite spa where you can be pampered in between sessions, plus the Explorers Kids' Club if you're travelling with kids.
“An exceptional stay at an exceptional resort.” - Mohammed (read more reviews here)
Sustainable surf resorts in Maldives
An opulent villa with a private pool at Niyama Resort in the Maldives (photo courtesy of Expedia)
If you're not in the position to be spending thousands per night on your Maldives surf trip, let us introduce EQ Surf Retreat at Muli. This affordable hotel blends sustainable living with comfortable accommodations for a budget-friendly island getaway.
This sustainable Maldives resort is much smaller than the others on our list, with just 9 one-of-a-kind bungalows to choose from. Each is decked out in up-cycled vintage furnishings from the 70s, 80s and 90s that lend a retro aesthetic to the spaces. Bamboo screens, rattan chairs and teak wood accents abound, together with bohemian textiles.
By day, riders of all levels can access several breaks by land or take a 15-minute boat ride to surf at some of the Maldives' best-loved surf spots. The on-site surf guides know the ideal place to be on any given day and do the utmost to ensure guests have an epic session.
Back on shore, nourishing cuisine made from fresh, local ingredients awaits at the end of your session, together with a sparkling swimming pool. With complimentary use of snorkelling gear, stand-up paddleboards and more, there's no shortage of watersports and adventures on offer.
By promoting sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship, EQ aims to protect the island ecosystem in which it resides while providing a mindful retreat dedicated to the surf lifestyle. The days drift by in a blissful rhythm of surf, eat, sleep, repeat in this blissful corner of the Maldives.
Eco-friendly surf resorts in the Maldives
Waves break near the eco-friendly EQ Surf Retreat in the Maldives (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Planning a sustainable surf trip to the Maldives
The Maldives has long been synonymous with luxury travel, and for good reason - this Indian Ocean paradise is home to some of the most stunning resorts in the world. But it's also renowned for the exceptional quality of its waves, with experienced surfers from across the globe coming to ride the rights and lefts that peel across its countless atolls and islands.
Over the years, the Maldives has emerged as a leader in sustainable tourism, with many of the newer resorts incorporating eco-friendly principles into their design and operations. For the environmentally-conscious surfer, this means you can indulge in the ultimate luxury experience - think overwater villas, gourmet dining and pampering spas - all while supporting local conservation efforts that protect the natural beauty of this island nation.
