- Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi hosted an exclusive all-female surf retreat for 40 women from 11-18 October.
- Organised by SurferElle's Elle Sampiere with World Surfaris, the event showcased the renowned Lohis left-hand reef break.
- The eight-day programme combined surfing with yoga, wellness, diving, fishing and island excursions, reflecting growing female surf travel.
Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi, in partnership with international surf travel specialist World Surfaris and hosted by SurferElle, welcomed an exclusive all-female surf experience, showcasing the resort as a distinctive destination for surf tourism. Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi, home to the renowned Lohis surf break, hosted an all-female surf retreat bringing together 40 women for eight days of surfing, adventure, wellness and shared experiences.
Held from 11 to 18 October, the surf retreat was organised by Elle Sampiere, renowned surf coach and founder of SurferElle. The experience highlights Lohis’ world-class waves and growing appeal as a destination combining surfing with island experiences. During the retreat, the iconic Lohis lineup was dedicated to female surfers, offering participants an opportunity to challenge themselves, share experiences and build connections against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Lohis: Where the World’s Surfers Come for More Than Just Waves
Situated along the edge of Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi in North Malé Atoll, Lohis has earned an international reputation for its celebrated left-hand reef break, attracting passionate surfers from around the world.
Few surf destinations offer the opportunity to wake up on a tropical island, walk directly from your accommodation to an internationally recognised surf break and enjoy the comforts of an all-inclusive resort between sessions. At Lohis, surfing is not simply an excursion. It is part of everyday island life. With access managed through a limited number of surf passes, capped at 45 registered surfers per day under the resort’s standard surf management programme, Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi offers a carefully managed surfing experience that distinguishes it from many of the world’s more crowded surf destinations.
The resort also provides access to several celebrated breaks across North Malé Atoll through organised surf excursions, offering visiting surfers the opportunity to explore the diversity of waves that has made the Maldives a sought-after destination on the international surfing map.Just a short speedboat journey from Velana International Airport, this unique combination of exceptional surfing, accessibility, natural beauty and relaxed island hospitality reinforces Lohis’ position among the world’s most distinctive surf resort experiences.
A New Wave of Women Redefining Surf Travel
The SurferElle gathering brings a powerful new dimension to Lohis’ established surfing heritage.Throughout the eight-day retreat, participants are embracing a programme that extends well beyond the surf lineup, with professional coaching, yoga, wellness experiences, snorkeling, diving, fishing and island excursions creating opportunities for adventure, relaxation and personal discovery. More importantly, the gathering reflects a growing movement within international surf culture: women seeking experiences that combine the thrill of the ocean with genuine connection, confidence and a sense of belonging.
The exclusive female surfing environment encourages participants to support one another, develop their abilities and enjoy the freedom of surfing alongside women who share their passion. Against the turquoise waters and tropical scenery of the Maldives, the event demonstrates how a surf holiday can evolve into something more meaningful, an experience that inspires long after the final wave.
Connecting International Surf Culture with the Maldives
Beyond the international attention surrounding the gathering, the retreat also places importance on fostering connections with the emerging community of Maldivian female surfers. By celebrating women’s participation in surfing and encouraging engagement between visiting surfers and the local community, the initiative highlights the potential for surf tourism to create opportunities for cultural exchange, inspiration and greater visibility for women in ocean sports.
It is a reflection of how the Maldives can continue to evolve as a surf destination, not only through the quality of its waves, but through the people, experiences and communities that shape its identity.
More Than a Wave. A Destination That Stays With You.
For Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi, the SurferElle gathering represents more than a special event. It demonstrates the destination’s ability to bring together the very best elements of surf travel: celebrated waves, a carefully managed surf environment, exceptional island surroundings and experiences that create lasting emotional connections.
From early-morning sessions at Lohis to relaxed afternoons overlooking the Indian Ocean, the resort offers a distinctive rhythm of life where adventure and relaxation exist naturally side by side.As the gathering continues, Lohis is demonstrating that its greatest appeal lies not only in the waves surfers travel across the world to experience, but also in the memories, friendships and sense of community created around them.
