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Aerial satellite view of Madihera surf break in Gan, Maldives, Maldives
Gan, Maldives, Maldives

Madihera

-0.695, 73.183
Edited by Tom Jackson
Verified May 2026
Cross-referencedCross-checked against Stormrider
At a glance
  • Madihera is a left over reef, two-section left reef pass, sucky outside barrel and speedy inside wall.
  • Suits advanced surfers, working 4-8 ft.
  • Peak April to September, water 27-30°C.
Left · ReefAdvanced4–8 ftApr – Sep

A quality left wraps around the reef pass off the tip of Madihera islet, behaving more like a point break than a typical reef setup despite its submerged coral bottom. It handles SE to SW swell cleanly, with two distinct sections: an outside that can get sucky and barrelling, and a faster, more forgiving inside wall that stays fun even in SE winds. Glassy or NE conditions are ideal since any S to NW wind shuts it down quickly. The left suits experienced surfers who can read reef passes and handle occasional hollow sections, though the inside offers some breathing room. Crowds are rarely an issue out here. Bottom: submerged reef. Season: SE swell months. Consistency: high when swell is running. Get out early before any sea breeze fills in from the south or west and kills the surface.

Wave fit

Skill suited
Advanced
BegIntAdv
Best months
Apr – Sep
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Character
Two-section left reef pass, sucky outside barrel and speedy inside wall.

Conditions

When it works
NESW
Swell window
SE
SE - SW
Offshore wind
NE
North easterly
Optimum tide
All tides
Size range
2-10ft
High
Hazards
No concerns
Trip planning

Quick facts

Water temp
27° to 30°C
Wetsuit
Boardies
What to bring
  • Shortboard 6ft to 6ft 4in for punchy outside section
  • Step-up 6ft 6in to 6ft 10in for bigger SE swells
Lineup
Mellow lineup
Where it sits

Location

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About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd & Localism

Madihera sees very few surfers. Access is typically by dhoni from a nearby resort or liveaboard, which naturally filters the lineup. Respect the reef, go with experienced guides who know the area, and do not expect anyone to show you the channel.

Access & Facilities

No facilities, no parking. Access is by boat only. Factor in transfer time and check the wind forecast carefully before committing to the trip. Reef is live coral so booties are worth considering, and a misstep on the inside section can put you over shallow heads.

Nearby Alternatives

Gan's main break reels in front of the runway on a live coral reef and is the most accessible wave in the area. When swell drops, the left off Gaukendi Bridge on the south side or the peak in the middle are worth investigating.

10-day swell, wind and tide

Madihera surf forecast

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Forecast by Windy.app

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Frequently asked

What you need to know before paddling out at Madihera

What skill level is Madihera suited for?
Madihera is a reef bottom, two-section left reef pass, sucky outside barrel and speedy inside wall, break suited for advanced surfers. This is not a beginner break. Build up at softer waves first.
What size does Madihera work best at?
Working size is 4 to 8 ft. Below 4 ft the swell goes flat. Above 8 ft it gets heavy and the lineup thins out.
When is the best season to surf Madihera?
Madihera fires from April through September. Outside that window the swell window narrows and the lineup goes quiet.
What swell direction does Madihera need?
Madihera switches on with a se - sw groundswell. Offshore winds blow from the north easterly.
What are the main hazards at Madihera?
Main hazards at Madihera: no concerns. Reef booties are common kit.
What type of wave is Madihera?
Madihera is a left-breaking wave over reef. Two-section left reef pass, sucky outside barrel and speedy inside wall.

Sources

  • Stormrider
Madihera
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