Surfing

What it is

From India's young beach-break scene to world-class Maldivian reef passes and Dubai's winter swell, with established surf schools at every level.

When to go

India's big monsoon swell runs May to September, with friendlier beginner waves October to March. The Maldives season is March to October; Dubai surfs on winter swells, roughly November to March.

First time?

Take a lesson rather than just renting a board: schools run 90-minute beginner sessions on soft-top boards in whitewater, and most people stand up on day one.

Where to do it

• Varkala and Kovalam, Kerala

  the most established surf schools in the country

• Mulki, Karnataka

  river-mouth breaks near Mangalore, home of the Mantra Surf Club

• Covelong, Tamil Nadu

  east coast point break with an annual surf festival

• Thulusdhoo, Maldives

  the Cokes reef break, with surf camps on the beach

• Sunset Beach, Dubai

  the Gulf's surf community, best on winter swells