Now I can confirm the above assumption. Hopefully the post can help FOIL riders heading to the Maldives for the first time. Those who have already experienced the archipelago have their own observations and certainly their number one. I emphasize that this is info for foilers, not kiters. Forgive me for a little marketing and advertising. The locals do not realize that they live on a hidden treasure for hydrofoil riders, so they don't promote it, even though they gladly welcome tourists.
So why is Guraidhoo my favorite island in the Maldives? There are several reasons. So far I have visited the Maldives 6 times at 4 out of 20 natural atolls: North Kaafu (Thulusdhoo), South Kaafu (Guraidhoo), Ari (Dhigurah) and Vaavu (Fulidhoo). Personally, I have walked around 30 islands. With basic local knowledge and the ability to read satellite imagery, I spent sweet hours studying all the atolls and islands in Google Earth in pursuit of an island suitable for scuba divers and foilers. I checked all inhabited islands with guest houses. I didn't pay much attention to island resorts (around 130) as this is too expensive an option for me and they usually have strict rules that can restrict long kite cruising. The research was based on the following assumptions: safety of the foiler, easy launching area with the right wind direction, sufficient water depth, safe and interesting for foil cruising, a local island with several guesthouses, places to eat, attractive for snorkeling, paddling on a SUP board and diving with a certified diving center.
There are dozens of foiler-friendly Maldivian islands, but the ultimate winner of my pursuit is Guraidhoo in Kaafu Atoll. Especially since 2021, when the reclamation works were completed. The area of the island has been doubled. New 15 hectares of sand have been added and a large picnic island has been created. The reclamation area has created a kind of amphitheater around a large lagoon with easy access beyond the reef for hydrofoils.
Keep in mind that, despite what we see in the catalogs, many Maldivian islands have limited launching areas (palm trees, shrubs, narrow beaches), have a difficult access to the deep water or there are offshore winds. For example, on Dhigurah I had to master launching a foil kite from a backpack being 200m from the shore. On Maafushi, a similar problem occurs during the winter monsoons. Guraidhoo had a similar problem before 2021, but not anymore. For the next few years, it will probably have the largest and unlimited launching area in the entire archipelago, working in any wind direction.
Self-explaining pictures:
The Guraidhoo lagoon is 5-7m deep with insulated reef blocks which in low water are over 1m deep - safe for hydrofoiling. There is even a small sandy area on the northeastern top of the lagoon to learn first steps in kitesurfing or foiling. The lagoon is a good place to hone foiling skills for beginners and intermediate riders. Super flat water, no current, steady light or sometimes moderate wind (January, February, May). You can kite in the lagoon with turtles and stingrays if you are lucky. Advanced riders will find different and challenging conditions such as strong currents (locals call it a washing machine), super flat water for speeding, and wave riding in 1-2m waves. I like Guraidhoo so much that even though I have been there 4 times I will be returning whenever possible in the future. It fits my riding style perfectly and there are many other attractions such as diving, SUPing, snorkeling. Kandooma Thila is one of the best diving sites in the Maldives. It is unforgettable to swim with dozens of black or white tip sharks that make their show in the "cleaning station". We dived there about 20 times and every descent was good or amazing. Manta rays flock there too, but only in May and June. You can meet dolphins from time to time in both channels.
One word of explanation for assessments and ranking below. My style of foiling is doing long distances, foil travelling, crossings and occasionally racing.
I feel more a sailor than a kiter. A big lagoon off Guraidhoo is too small for my needs. The Kaafu atoll is a right size “pool” for me. It might be rounded within 4 hours on a recreational trip or 3 hours while racing.
Some trackings:
10 reasons to award Guraidhoo as my favourite foiling spot in Maldives:
1. Large, safe lagoon with easy launching area working in all winds. Flat water, no current, steady winds, accessible in all prevailing winds during each month. A proper place for all levels.
2. Waist/chest shallow water within the lagoon for beginners (NE corner). Pure sand on the bottom 300x200m ish. No corals.
3. Waves which can be ridden with foil at Guraidhoo Corner. The waves reach 1,5-2m during winter 20 kts days. Period 10-15s. Apparently, these waves are tricky but accessible for foilers. I call them Guraidhoo Jaws. One of the best surfing spots in Maldives is called Cokes at Thulusdhoo but I never dared to enter it with a hydrofoil.
4. Busy speedboat traffic within the atoll. This is crucial for solo cruising. The capital is just 30km to North and most of ferries and speedboats bound to Southern atolls transfer close to Guraidhoo. There are always some boats passing by in a sight.
5. There are numerous islands in short distance (10 islands within 4km range) what makes cruising safer and more interesting. These short distance destinations are great for SUP paddling too!
6. There is always good phone coverage while kiting inside the atoll.
7. Kiting with dolphins 100% guaranteed inside Rhiveli lagoon (11km from Guraidhoo).
8. Good spot for speed freaks close to entrance to the harbour.
9. Rescue – speedboat skippers are always happy to assist if needed outside the lagoon. Inside the lagoon there is rather no need to assist as this is a kind of the pool. It’s possible to walk around the lagoon even on high water but in the worst scenario a local hero Ali Mahir (windsurfer and kiter) would launch his speedboat to collect the lost one in dire straits. If you have a partner and a SUP it’s fan to be assisted by a paddler too. In this moment I would like to thank to my wife for SUP rescue ops. Twice so far.
10. Maafushi (one of the oldest and most popular “budget” islands) is a neighbour island where kiteboarding is very popular (probably kiting capital of the country) and have a great lagoon for twintips but unfortunately, it’s not the best spot for foilers. It’s too shallow and very restricted launching area with usual a bit offshore winds during the winter. There are a couple of kite schools, rentals. Had a pleasure to foil at Maafushi with Youri Zoon three months ago. Two-time World freestyle champion will make a camp at Como Cocoa Island from 30th May
https://www.comohotels.com/en/cocoaisla ... youri-zoon
This is a neighbour island to Guraidhoo. My son used to cross 1km channel on a twintip too. I was foiling and paddling on SUPs a lot around Como Coca and amazing 700m long sandy peninsula.
To summarize – I give 9/10 for Guraidhoo as it perfectly matches my favourite water sport activities.
If you like to foil beyond horizon and to enjoy world class SUPing, snorkelling and scuba diving this island should be highly considered if you don’t know Maldives yet. I recommend it as well as a decent spot for foiling camps or test/photo sessions. One disadvantage for beginners is a boulder revetment of the new reclamation area. It’s built of rocks and sandy bags. Better not crash there.
More details about my exploration of Maldives (mostly Guraidhoo) in this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=196&t=2387008
Info for divers
There are two certified and well equipped centers (PADI and SSI).
https://www.divepoint-maldives.com/en/d ... o-basis-en
https://www.manta-divers.com/
Apparently with my wife, daughter, daughter in law and son we took our first scuba dives there and completed PADI open water courses.
It changed our holiday planning since 2015. No more Brasil, South Africa and Asia.
To younger friends who love to explore the globe I say: don’t go to Maldives before you see the World otherwise you might not see it anymore.
With my wife we met new friends
Last February we had a pleasure to dive with dozens of Spanish girls and Polish photographer Woj.Dop. The story about Spanish squad is worth of another topic Check out Wojtek’s pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/woj.dop.underw ... /photos_by
Accommodation.
There are around 20 guesthouses on the island. Simple and clean. No luxury despite “Spas and Retreats” in their names. Don’t expect resort’s quality. A half of them seems to be closed.
I recommend this three below:
Iris Beach Resorts (the best view without any doubt. We stayed three times there) – you can launch and land 10m from the house or even land a kite on the roof haha. https://irisbeachresidence.com/
Ocean Retreat and Spa – IMO the best meals on the island https://www.oceanretreatandspa.com/
Guraidhoo Palm Inn – sweet spot for divers https://www.divepoint-maldives.com/en/resorts/guraidhoo
BTW – be careful booking this one: http://marinabayspa.maldives-hotelsresorts.com/en/ It looks amazing but check out google opinions first. We wanted to pay double money for a stay there but due to their incompetence and poor communication we failed. It’s a pity as it’s the most luxury guest house on the island by far.
Local food – I am not a fan of Maldivian cuisine. I usually lose 2 kg a week so I actually should take in on a bright side of holiday. You should see me drinking a pint and having a bloody steak at the first airport abroad hahaha. There are restricted places to eat. Unfortunately covid killed the only one “restaurant” I liked.
Weather info:
https://www.dreamingofmaldives.com/mald ... climate.ph
My very personal ranking so far:
Guraidhoo – winter monsoon 9/10, summer monsoon 9/10
Maafushi – winter monsoon 5/10, summer monsoon 9/10
Thulusdhoo - winter monsoon 8/10, summer monsoon 8/10
Dhigurah - winter monsoon 5/10, summer monsoon 7/10
Fulidhoo - winter monsoon 6/10, summer monsoon 7/10
At last and for some might be crucial info – there is no beer on local islands.
Guraidhoo Foil 2022:
8 minute vlog in Polish only from a trip around the atoll:
Kiting with dolphins (11km off Guraidhoo):