Dredging the Dream: A Surf Break Fades in the Maldives

Fresh concerns have emerged over dredging activity taking place near Tuckey Joe’s, one of the Maldives’ most well-known left-hand surf breaks, after an Instagram reel showing visible changes to the reef and water conditions at the site. Tuckey Joe's is being affected because of large-scale dredging and land reclamation activities tied to broad housing development project called 'Rasmale' which is a pledge of President Mohamed Muizzu. 

ރަސްމާލެ ބިން ހިއްކުމުގެ މަޝްރޫއުގެ ދަށުން 215 ހެކްޓަރަށްވުރެ ބޮޑު ސަރަހައްދެއްގެ ބިން ހިއްކުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް ނިމިފައިވާއިރު، މި މަޝްރޫއުގެ މަސައްކަތްތައް މިހާރު ދަނީ ހަލުވިކަމާއިއެކު ކުރިއަށް.#withHDC pic.twitter.com/EG2ze0FU3v — Housing Development Corporation (@hdcmaldives) December 8, 2025

In the Instagram video, a local Maldivian surf guide Mohamed Samaah (Che’Che) documents what he describes as active damage to the surf point caused by dredging linked to a lagoon development project. “Right now we are facing a big threat,” he says. “One of the best left handers, Tuckey Joe’s, is getting destroyed because of the dredging.”

Samaah stresses that the objection is not to development itself. “We are not against development. We are not against the whole lagoon project,” he says, drawing a distinction between infrastructure needs and the protection of natural assets. Instead, the concern centers on how the project is being carried out and whether prior commitments made to local stakeholders are being honored.

Alleged verbal assurance from government

A key issue raised is an alleged verbal agreement between authorities and local surf stakeholders regarding a buffer zone to protect the wave. According to the surf guide, the government had assured them that dredging would be kept at a safe distance from the surf break.

“The government promised us verbally that we are going to get 300 meters from the shore to the wave,” he says. The guide questions why dredging appears to be encroaching closer to the surf point despite this assurance, warning that disturbance to the reef and seabed could permanently alter the wave.

There has so far been no public clarification from authorities on whether such an agreement was made, whether it was documented, or whether current dredging activity complies with any environmental or spatial safeguards tied to the project.

Concern by Surfers and Guides

Concerns over the potential loss of Tuckey Joe’s have also been echoed by figures within the national surfing community. Ahmed Agil (Ammadey), Captain of the Maldives National Surfing Team, highlighted the break’s importance for both competitive preparation and grassroots development.

“Tuckey Joes is one of the best left-handers in the area and an important playground for surfers preparing for tournaments,” Agil said. “As a surf guide, it’s an ideal spot, easy to access, less crowded, and known for consistently clean, high-quality waves. Losing a surf point like this to destruction is a huge loss for the local surf community.”

Environmental and economic implications

Surf breaks like Tuckey Joe’s are formed by precise reef and seabed structures, making them highly vulnerable to sedimentation and changes in currents caused by dredging. Marine experts have long warned that once these formations are altered, waves may not recover even if dredging stops.

The issue also carries broader economic implications. Surf tourism supports guides, guesthouses, boat operators and small businesses, particularly in island communities where employment options are limited. Samaah points to this contradiction directly in the video.

“It is a shame to see that the Maldives is depending on tourism and they are doing shit like this,” he says, expressing frustration that development projects may be undermining the very natural resources that attract visitors to the country.

Public appeal and growing scrutiny

The Maldivian surf community calls for public intervention, urging viewers to draw attention to the issue. “We would like all of your help,” Samaah says, asking people to tag government authorities on social media and demand accountability.

The Maldives Surfing Association (MSA), whose constitution mandates the protection of waves and surf points, told Viraasee that it has informed the Ministry of Sports and Fitness about the issue and is currently in contact with the ministry to address the situation. The association added that it will continue to monitor developments closely and take all necessary steps to protect the affected surf breaks.

The Instagram reel have since circulated widely, intensifying scrutiny of dredging and reclamation projects across the Maldives. Environmental advocates argue that the situation reflects a recurring problem: reliance on informal assurances, limited transparency around environmental safeguards, and damage only acknowledged once it becomes visible.

As attention grows, calls are mounting for authorities to clarify the scope of the dredging work, disclose any Environmental Impact Assessments linked to the project, and explain whether commitments made to protect Tuckey Joe’s have been breached.