Antiques - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - March)

The Northeast Monsoon grips the Maldives from December through March, delivering a consistent stream of offshore winds from the N to NW quadrant to Antiques. With the beach facing SSE, these winds groom the swell perfectly, creating clean, lined-up waves. Average swell heights hover around 1.1-1.2m, but with periods often exceeding 10s, the waves pack plenty of punch. The dominant swell directions shift into the S and SSE window, wrapping nicely into the Antiques reef. This is prime time for rippable, fun-sized waves under sunny skies.

Fair Surf Season (November & April)

As the monsoons transition, November and April offer a mixed bag. November sees the tail end of the Southwest Monsoon, with ideal wind percentages climbing to 41% and a mix of S-to-WSW swell offering solid 1-1.5m waves. April marks the easing of the trade winds, with ideal wind still near 46% but swell becoming more S-dominated and a bit more powerful. Expect punchy, period-rich waves alongside occasional onshore breezes during these shoulder months.

Low Surf Season (May - October)

The Southwest Monsoon dominates from May through October, bringing persistent onshore winds from the WSW, W, and SW quadrants. While the swell pumps with average heights of 1.5-1.8m and periods around 10-11s, the wind often wrecks the surface, making conditions choppy and messy. The swell direction locks into SSE and S, which is perfect for the spot, but the lack of clean offshore wind lowers the quality considerably. Only brief windows of offshore flow (N to NW) provide the occasional clean, pumping session.

July: The Biggest, Messiest Months

July sees the largest average swell of the year at 1.8m, with a period of 10.8s. A staggering 67.4% of all swell arrives from the SSE, and 24.8% from the S – an almost perfect alignment for Antiques. Waves often reach the 1.5-2m pumping category, with 12% in the 2-2.5m range. However, onshore winds dominate, with only 25% ideal conditions. Winds from the SE, SSE, and S are common, causing choppy, blown-out surf. The rare day with N/NW flow turns this spot into a world-class wave. Patience is key, but the potential for an epic session is high.