« 20 Best Surfing Islands

#3. Thanburudhoo, Maldives: A sliver of land in North Malé atoll in the Indian Ocean with the quality waves of Sultan’s and Honkies breaking on each side, uninhabited Thanburudhoo Island was once the exclusive surfing paradise of Tony Hinde-Hussein and friends in the 1980′s. The island later became a military firing range with bullets flying around and no surfing allowed. More recently, with no more shooting and surfing allowed again, the island became a favorite location for the many surf charter boats active in North Malé atoll and the growing number of local Maldivian surfers. Under the control of the Maldives Ministry of Defence, one of the last undeveloped islands in North Malé atoll may soon become a “boutique surfing resort” with exclusive surfing rights to two of the better waves in the entire Maldivian archipelago. Image: Callahan/surfEXPLORE