Soul Surfing

Surf sessions

Soul surfers care less about what they score on the wave as gracefully merging with the energy of it. They also value the environment and appreciate the ocean is worth fighting for. After all, it is not just a playground but also a respite. When surfing, you’re immersed in nature and feel connected to the sea and tides that influence the waves you ride.

Enjoying the environment becomes an obligation to protect it, starting by choosing a non-toxic surfboard. In partnership with leading surf pioneer Tropicsurf, guests at Six Senses Laamu surf on Firewire’s eco-friendly Timbertek boards. Firewire remains the only global surfboard production to carry the Sustainable Surf Ecoboard certification and is headed up by 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater.

In the water, surfers here have the surrounding breaks almost to themselves, bar one or two of the resort’s hosts who may head out on the water on their days off. For newly-seduced surfers, a beginner’s break – ‘The Shoulder’ – is just off the shore, a soft-rolling wave that is a direct paddle from the villas. 

The resort is also located within view of one of the best right-hand barrels in the Maldives, ‘Yin Yang’. There are a few other gems in the crown, such as the left-hand Petrol’s, which is ideal for intermediate surfers. Tropicsurf guides are experts in local forecasting to advise when and where to go.

Time it right 

In the Maldives, April to October is prime time with the biggest and best swells delivering fairly consistent offshore winds. Experienced surfers can enjoy hollow powerful waves, while intermediate surfers are still able to relish sheltered reefs with more forgiving consequences. The shoulder season between November and December can be less reliable and December to March is counted as off season, when the wind direction is less favorable.

Between November and March, the shoulder season at Six Senses Fiji is a good option for intermediate surfers looking for mellow peelers. This time of year traditionally sees more manageable surf in the waist to chest high zone with lighter winds and thinner crowds, ensuring a massive wave count. It is also a great time to go for beginners as the protected lagoons form the most beautiful backdrop for learning the basic skills required to catch your first wave. From there, ‘Swimming Pools’ is a 15-minute boat ride away and renowned for crystal clear waters and the additional bonus of sharing the waves with a resident turtle or dolphin.

For pros, it’s all about ‘Cloudbreak’, a feature on the World Surf League tour. This is where you can experience the raw energy of the South Pacific, yet still only 15 minutes from the resort. Fiji’s peak swell season runs from April to October, where regular offshore southeasterly trade winds produce the best barrels.

At Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali, our resort mixes beautiful beaches with world-class surf breaks, and May to September brings consistent, powerful waves, creating the ideal conditions for surfing. We run 4-hour sessions including return transfer from the resort to a choice of swells depending on whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or pro.

Watery wonders

If you think getting up close and personal with powerful waves means donning a wetsuit and making a splash, think again. Exhibition Surfing at Six Senses Fiji allows you to witness the ethereal magic of the sea at its wildest and most awe-inspiring from the comfort of a resort boat. Our Surf with Six Senses hosts will help you chase down the nearby surf breaks of the Mamanuca Islands, learning all about the local history and colorful characters. You’ll visit a selection of legendary surfing hotspots, which might include Swimming Pools, Namotu Lefts, Wilkes, Restaurants, Tavarua Rights, Desperations, and the famous Cloudbreak, depending on which briny breakers are putting on the best show for your trip.

Beyond the breaks, the boat journey, private or shared, is the perfect place to watch dolphins leaping through the waters, glimpse turtles gliding gracefully, and gaze at schools of vibrant fish darting through the glass-clear deeps. The reefs and colorful corals below add to the breathtaking scenery as you get up close to the natural wonders and surfing thrills of Fiji.

In order to support and preserve our watery surroundings, we partner with “Coral Gardeners” to protect and regenerate Fiji's stunning but fragile coral reefs. Together, we’re on a mission to keep our marine ecosystems thriving. You can get involved by becoming a coral gardener for the day and joining our specialist hosts in planting juvenile corals to promote marine life and protect the local reef environment. The eco surfing vibe is reflected throughout the resort through active sustainable management, preserving our pristine surroundings for the next generation of surfers.