Overview
Sultan's is a right-hand, point-style reefbreak in North Malé atoll and one half of the Thamburudhoo Island double act it shares with Honky's. It breaks over dead coral and regularly serves up the biggest, longest waves in North Malé, so it tends to be the standout when this corner of the Indian Ocean turns on.
When It Works
The reef draws swell from east through south, with southeast swell the best match, and it is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft. It is very consistent, and as one of only three righthanders that keep working when the southwest monsoon blows through the middle months of the year, it is a dependable option in that window. Waves open with a swift, steep but manageable drop into a carving wall, then throw some nice hooks on the faster inside reef, running a full 300m down the line on big southeast swells. It handles about as much size as this part of the Indian Ocean can muster, and waiting for a tip-to-tail bomb is well worth it.
Wind and Tide
Look for a southwest offshore wind. The reef works across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Sultan's is the most surfed spot in North Malé, with a busy lineup and often 100 or more surfers on it in a day. Its user-friendly nature makes it approachable for improvers and intermediates, so plan on plenty of company whenever it is on.
