Overview

Handhu is a 90 ft vessel built SPECIFICALLY for surf charters. Unlike other Maldivian vessels that operate diving charters plus some surf trips, Handhu is 100 percent dedicated to surf trips. The crew know exactly what surfers want and the boat design is excellent and very comfortable.

Description

Expert surf guides and dedicated crew make any trip onboard the Handhu unforgettable especially as you cruise the flawless Maldivian waters in the hunt for wave perfection. Launched in February 2004, Handhu is 100 percent dedicated to surf trips. The massive interior saloon area is fully air-conditioned with all the latest electronic entertainment equipment (large flat screen TV, DVD, stereo system etc). There is a massive lounge/dining area that easily seats a dozen guests in comfort.

Standard Inclusions

• Handhu Male and Central atolls charter
• 3 meals daily
• 1 large bottle of drinking water per day
• Services of Expert local surf guide
• Use of all onboard equipment
• One way domestic flight - Maximum surf board BAG length 8'

Trip Info

Great Surf Vessel

Handhu is 90 ft and very well laid out with air conditoned twin cabins with ensuites and air conditioned saloon and lounge. Outside, the deck space is massive with a large undercover alfresco lounge/dining area capable of seating at least 15 people. This is the favourite dining area as it allows guests to escape the hot Maldivian sun yet remain outdoors, capturing cool ocean breezes whilst watching the surf break nearby.

Expert Guides Maximise Surf Time

Martey, the Maldivian guide onboard Handhu, is originally from Seenu atoll (Gan) in the far south and has been surfing this region for years. He has been the guide on Handhu for five years and was taught his trade by the former guide. Stu Johston. Handhu's skipper has very good surf knowledge vast experience in dealing with western surfers. With the expertise of Martey and the Handhu crew maximum surf time is assured!

Detailed Information

Accommodation consists of six air-conditioned twin guest cabins (1 double/1 single bed) with ensuite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilet. All cabins have plenty of storage for luggage and clothes and power points for charging batteries.

The bar is well-stocked with European beer, French wine and a variety of spirits plus a large variety of soft drinks. Tea, coffee and drinking water is included in the package price.

Outside, the deck space is massive with a large undercover alfresco lounge/dining area capable of seating at least 15 people. This is the favourite dining area as it allows guests to escape the hot Maldivian sun yet still remain outdoors, capturing cool ocean breezes whilst watching the surf break nearby.

An outside stairwell leads to a massive sundeck with bench seating around the perimeter. This is the ideal party venue at the end of a hard day's surfing with a few cold drinks and the stereo pumping out the tunes whilst watching the sun go down over the islands.

The aft deck is ideal for game fishing and even the most accomplished game fishermen will be impressed with the set-up.

There are two outdoor showers for rinsing the salt water off after your surf, snorkel, swim etc.

The cuisine is prepared by a resort-qualified chef with a strong European influence and features Italian pasta dishes and salads along with fresh fish, vegetables, rice dishes, curry dishes and a variety of deserts.

Sample menu
Pre-surf light breakfast: Cornflakes, toast, bananas, tea or coffee.
After-surf breakfast: Eggs, toast, tea, coffee, fruit juice.
Lunch: Variety of pasta, fresh fish, salads, fruit.
Dinner: Meat dish, pasta, fish curry, vegetables, dessert.
* Unfortunately you will not lose weight onboard Handhu and we will keep your energy levels up at all times to compensate for long surf sessions.

SPECIFICATIONS
Size: Length 90 ft, width 25 ft
Cruising speed: 10 knots
Guest cabin: 6 cabins (12 pax) with attached toilet and shower with hot and cold water
Crew: 2 captains, 1 chef, 1 assistant chef, 2 crews, 1 surf guide
Equipment: 1 engine 350 hp (Cummins), 1 aluminium dinghy with 25 hp outboard engine, 1 desalination plant 4800 litres/day, 2 soundproof marine generators (22.5 kW and 17.5 kW), air conditioned cabins and restaurant, expresso coffee machine, snorkelling and fishing gear, TV, VCD/DVD player, video cassette player, hi-fi system, washing machine.
Navigation and communication: CD radio, mobile phone, GPS, search light, binoculars, plotting tool kit, compass, and chart

Activity Info

MALE & CENTRAL ATOLLS -SURF.
* note trips operate as follows - Start in Male and finish in Laamu and fly back or fly into Laamu to start the trip and finish in Male.

This region of the Maldives experiences a similar surf season to Indonesia. The best waves can be had from March to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur in June/July/August.

During these months the conditions are predominantly off-shore all day and the swell direction is mainly South South East (SSE). The surf generally ranges in size from 2-8 feet, however bigger days have been experienced.

A great variety of reef breaks exist ranging in intensity from quite mellow shreddable walls to gnarlier hollow pits. There is something for everyone.

In the North Male atoll, between Male and Thulhusdhoo is an assortment of 7 breaks.

Jailbreaks is a classic right-hander that was previously off limits. A long down the line right-hander with 3 distinct sections including a mid barrel section. Rides of up to 300m can be had when it's lining up.

Honky's is located near HP reef just North of Himmafushi Island. It is a fast wrapping left at 4-6ft and needs the right swell direction. Worth checking if Sultans is crowded.

On the other side of the channel you have Sultans. An easy right-hand take off which leads you to an intense wrapping section at the end. Breaks 3-8ft. Please note: this wave is the most protected from the southerly winds in the North Male atoll and collects the most swell so go there if it is small.

20 minutes further North you will find the right-hander known as Ninjas which breaks off Kani Resort. A mellower right-hander which can be quite fickle.

25 minutes north of Lohifushi are 2 breaks opposite each other at a reef pass. The right-hander known as Cokes (Colas) breaks 3-10ft and is fairly protected from the southerly winds that may affect other breaks such as Lohis. This wave has been well photographed and is the hollowest in the North Male atoll. This will test your tube-riding ability.The left hander known as Chickens is probably the fastest wave in the North Male atoll. This wave holds swell size from 3ft to well over 10ft and provides rides up to 500m long.

Over the months of Jun/Jul/August the North Male? atoll surf breaks are getting busier due to the European Summer holidays. Many nationalities of surfers flock to the Maldives over this period. The surf at this time is VERY consistent and can accommodate a large number of surfers spread-out over the 7 breaks in the atoll. If you are after less crowded conditions Mar/Apr/May/Sep/Oct are recommended. The swell over this period may not be as consistent as Jun-Aug however good waves certainly still exist at this time.

The South Male atoll also several great set-ups that on LARGE SE swells will be 2' smaller than North Male breaks, however without any CROWD FACTOR. World Surfaris surf-guides have experience in this region and can make recommendations accordingly. It is only a 2 hour trip from Nth Male atoll breaks to the Sth Male atoll breaks. The breaks around Kandooma Resort are quite fickle however in a solid SE swell they can be good.
A further approx. 8 hour steam south brings you to Mulaku atoll.

All Spots in the Mulaku Atoll are on a coast line facing to the east. There is always a left or a right hander well protected from the predominant wind directions. All spots are close to each other so that you can change spots within a few minutes!

"Veyvah" Left Hander : Perfect wave with long wall. Easy take of with several options with long rides. Not too heavy - Great Fun.

"Mulha" Right Hander: Can hold bigger swells. Easy to ride even when it is big. Good for intermediates and even beginners.

"Mulha" Left Hander: Pretty shallow, fast wave. Works only in certain times of conditions.

"Muli Inside" Righthander: Very fast, long walls, hollow, barreling, can be shallow but still save ending. Very well protected from southerly winds. Needs bigger swells.

"Muli Outside" Righhander: Picks up more swell, good in sw winds, long walls, can max out easily, on the corner easy exit.

We have recently scoped out 2 atolls on the West Side between Mulaku and Hadhdhunmathee atoll and in the right swell direction, Handhu will take you over there. There are some perfect set-ups on these atolls and almost certainly no-one else around. If the surf on the East side is small or onshore then your guide will use his expertise to determine whether it's worth visiting the west-side also.

A further. approx. 8 hour steam south brings you to Hadhdhunmathee atoll hosting the following breaks.

Spots are spread from the south facing coastline along the east facing up to the north east corner where waves wrap around. As a result you will find spots protected from all wind directions except a rare straight easterly breeze.

"Isdhoo" Righthander : which needs large easterly swell but very well protected from southerly winds.

"Maabaidhoo" Left Righthander:

Left: Very fast and hollow, sometimes closing out, well protected from westerly to northerly winds. Right: works only in large swells. Fun Wave, Longboarders and shortboarders will have a good time.

"Mundoo" Righthander: Fast and shallow take off sectiont, barelling, spitting, perfect wave. With soft ending.

"Gaadhoo" Lefthander : Fun clean wave playground. When big: perfect lefthander.

"Ying Yang/Hithadhoo" Righthander : Yin Yang is a long and typical outside -typical reef corner right in a pass. Outside is a mellow wall, often cross shore, with safe rides in deep water. Then, the wave bends in the corner, mush out for a while, then wraps into one of the most critical sections in the Maldives. Inside section can be long and tubular, guys getting barreled 3 times but it can be fairly heavy too on pretty uneven reef, producing potential intimidating barrels on the first bend.

There is another atoll to the west (between Mulaku and Hadhdhunmathee atolls) that with the right swell direction (SSW) will offer a few other options and may be worth investigating on the 11 night Male to Hadhdhunmathee trips.

World Surfaris boats and expert surfguides have been surfing all these waves listed above for the last decade on route to Gaafu Dhaalu atoll (Southern atolls). Claims by other operators have been made that they discovered these breaks etc...We don't make these claims as surfing in the Maldives dates back to the 70's and some local Maldivian surfers were surfing these breaks 3 decades ago.

Optimum conditions are;

Swell: SE on East side
SW on Westside
Wind: Any type of westerly on East Side
Any type of easterly on Westside

Extra Activities

Even though the Handhu is purpose built for surfers the crystal clear turquiose beauty of the Maldivian waters often proves as tempting as the surf so snorkelling gear is provided. Additionally, even if you are not a keen fisherman you will find yourself hooking into a spot of game fishing as you travel between breaks. The variety of species is unbelievable. If you are keen, bring your own gear and lures.
Extra onboard equipment includes snorkelling gear and basic fishing gear.

Handhu Surf Guides Maximise Surf Time

If you are after the ulitmate Maldives surf experience and want to surf a massive variety of surf then look no further than Handhu's -Male & central atolls trips.

Testimonials

Thanks so much to for the awesome trip. Whilst we didn't score totally epic waves, the wave quality and consistency at 3ft, far surpassed anything we would surf in a year back here, and for that we were stoked. Marte our surf guide was the greatest and Captain Soba and his crew highly professional and entertaining. I can't express how good Martey was in regard to his surfing knowledge, cultural exchange and total friendliness - we felt like locals. To have a "local" guide who could tell us so much about the culture, take us on a tour of one of the islands in the Haafa group, and still get us into the best and most uncrowded surf conditions, made our trip unforgettable as a complete package. The food was excellent, the boat perfect and I'm sure we'll be lamenting the rest of spring on the east coast, as we fondly remember the long lines of Maldivian swell.

If I was to go again, I'd definitely be asking for Marte and the crew of the Handhu. Don't lose them if you can.

Thanks again for getting us into such an awesome trip.

Regards
Steve
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Just thought I would drop you a line to say thank you for everything you
done for us organizing our trip! This trip was by far the best thing I
have ever done. All the guys agree it was the trip of our lives. The
crew of the handhu were so great and they waited on us hand and foot.
This experience has sparked a flame in all of us and we will be trying
do a trip every year now.
Anyway thanks again and I will be in touch with you when I start
planning our next trip.
Cheers
Brad
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I' ve just incorporated to my work and I'd liked to dedicate this gratefulness words to confirm you that the trip was really amazing.
The two weeks were any surfer's dream. We had really good wave conditions, and the Lohis resort and the Handhu were much more than we expected.
We all hope that we can repeat this experience again. And we'll recomend it to ours friends.

Thanks a lot,

Jose A. Guti?rrez

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CLIENT REPORT FROM VISITORS BOOK ONBOARD HANDHU SENT FROM BOAT OWNER.
Greetings from Sunny Maldives..

Third North Male' Trip Report (17th - 27th June 2004)

Surfing :-
Surfing was excellent and there were good waves on the whole trip.. All on
board was happy.

Boat :-
All the clients were happy about the boat, facilities, Crew, Assistance,
Cleanliness, Surf Guide and Food.

Requests :-
** More Nuts
** Chips
** Chocolate
** Munchies

Comments from some clients :-
** The boat was set up for surfing in Maldives
** Unreal Trip , Unreal Crew
** The best boat and Crew we've ever experienced !!
** Service was beyond expectations in every way, we were treated like a
family.
** An abbsolutelly magnificent holiday
** The trip was the best you could ever hope for..


With best regards,
Issey
***********************
Greetings from the Sunny Maldives..

With regard to the requests from the clients of Handhu, we have planned to provide varities of chocolates, peanuts, potato chips and others on sale..

And in addtion we will advise our chef on board to provide cakes and cookies for surfers..

Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.

With best regards,
Issey

*******************
Stu asked that I forward some shots to you of the Handhu. My buddies and I were on board Mar. 19-Apr.4 and had a fantastic time. The boat was pristine, the crew was top notch and fun, the food rocked ? and the waves, well, they were just the icing on the cake (especially Love Charms at double to triple overhead).

I hope I get the opportunity to travel with your team again. It was simply awesome.

See you in the water?

Brian

Brian Bergen
Carlsbad, California USA
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