Surfing in style in the Maldives

If you are an experienced surfer you owe it to yourself to surf the Maldives. Many tend to look upon these exotic atolls as either a diving or honeymoon destination, yet take a glance at the seaward side of the atolls and you'll see incredibly consistent Indian Ocean swells thumping into the coral reefs that fringe them, creating some of the loveliest waves in the world.

In the 30 years I've spent surfing, nowhere has come close to the Maldives for waves that have intermediate surfers to world-class pros grinning from ear to ear. During a 14-day high seas adventure last month, sailing from atoll to atoll aboard the motor vessel Rani with six long-time surf buddies, we never had a day when the surf was smaller than head-high, and several sessions were double overhead, which was plenty big enough for most of us.

The swell had been coming through before we arrived and was still coming through when we left - we were told it never gets flat in the Maldives, even in the "flat" season (the main surf season is March to November, with the biggest waves occurring in July and August).

One of the reasons for using a yacht to access the waves is that very few of the best breaks in the Maldives can be reached any other way. Some surfers do base themselves at island resorts such as Lohifushi, but this restricts you to the waves that break in front of the island. No, heading off on a yacht "surfari" is without doubt the best way to make the most of what the Maldives has to offer.

The Rani, on which we sailed and lived, has comfortable ensuite twin cabins, a sound and viewing system for down time (not that there was much of that) and an onboard chef to provide the huge meals needed after surfing all day.

At the higher end of the market, you can go for a vessel like the Princess Rani - the royal tag means luxury comes as standard in the form of an onboard spa, jacuzzi and opulent accommodation in 11 air-conditioned guest cabins.

Most charter boats head north from the capital, Malé, to a string of atolls from which perfect lefts and rights roll down either side of the atoll into deepwater channels. These also provide some spectacular diving and snorkelling spots.