The best place to see Manta Rays in The Maldives

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The best place to see Manta Rays in The Maldives

Hanifaru Bay – Manta central

One manta ray, two manta rays, three manta rays, … and so and so counting up to six, seven, or eight together in a single dive site is common on a trip to the Maldives. But when the count starts to hit forty or fifty and it’s literally impossible to keep calculating the exact number of manta rays swimming in all directions, you can only be in one place: Hanifaru Bay.

Manta-Rays-with-Carpe-Diem-Cruises

What secret does Hanifaru Bay hide?

Hanifaru Bay, in the Maldives, is a unique place in the world, the shape of the bay and certain ocean currents that converge for a short period of time, favor the concentration of huge amounts of plankton and this allows us to contemplate one of the largest agglomerations of reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) with an average size of 2-3 m. only surpassed by the giant oceanic manta (Mobula birostris) that can reach more than 5m. of wingspan

Logically, after the discovery of the place by a scientific team, in a few years, Hanifaru Bay became one of the main attractions of the north of Maldives, not only because of the huge amount of mantas that at some times can be observed but also by a growing number of whale sharks that also take advantage of the large amounts of food in the form of plankton found here. To avoid a more than likely overcrowding, in 2011 UNESCO declared Baa Atoll, and especially Hanifaru Bay, a Biosphere Reserve. Subsequently, the government of the archipelago established strict regulations and supported scientific projects that are still being developed here and in other areas of the Maldives related to this species. Time has shown the success of such measures with the progressive increase in the number of specimens sighted.

Diving in Hanifaru Bay?

Only snorkeling is allowed to swim with these giants in the famous bay. Divers and bubbles would clearly affect the behavior and feeding in a continuous movement of the mantas. Not forgetting that after a few minutes in the water one realizes that scuba diving would not be the best option to enjoy the spectacle that takes place so close to the surface. From the beginning, the liveaboard cruises do not freely access the area of the atoll where the mantas feed, trying to avoid disturbing the animals and avoid the decrease of specimens in the area, in addition to paying a fee to contribute to the maintenance of the reserve. Visitors, before accessing the water, must attend to the detailed instructions provided by the Manta Trust team and the reserve rangers on how to act at all times, in limited groups, and under the supervision of a certified local guide. Although it may seem somewhat restrictive, shortly thereafter and without any effort, the mantas always end up swimming close, even very close, to anyone who respects their space and their way of eating, either collectively “in a row” or individually performing loopings incessantly.

How should I behave?

You have to be calm and observe the route that the mantas make uninterruptedly along the canal. The comings and goings are constant, so even in a short time, you can come to recognize some individuals with unmistakable marks such as spots or even bites, some of them healed but others also recent. Some tips to enjoy the experience:Do not chase the mantas and let them get used / closeFlashes and video lights are not allowed, but their use would not be useful either.Always stay close to the surface and enjoy such a wonderful spectacle as one more spectator.

And scuba diving in Baa Atoll?

Although the main restrictions are established for Hanifaru Bay, in the other areas of Baa Atoll diving is allowed. So many congregations of individuals feeding in the bay explain a large number of sightings by divers outside the atoll, not only of mantas but also, with a bit of luck, of whale sharks.

When and how to travel to Hanifaru?

The “official” season in Hanifaru is from May to November, although the largest congregations of mantas usually occur between the months of July and September. You can access Hanofau either by daily board trip from a selction of Maldives resort in Baa Atoll, or as part of the liveaboard scuba diving holiday.

Liveaboard diving Baa Atoll

There is no doubt that the best way to dive The Maldives is from a liveaboard. These trip are designed to get you to the very best dive sites for the specific time of year you are travelling, and the specific conditions of the day. There are a great many diving liveaboards that operate in The Maldives, but as with dive resort, there is a big difference is standards. One of the best Maldive Liveaboard that Planet Dive Holidays partners with is luxury Maldives liveaboard Blue Force One. This is a stunning vessel with a high standard of luxury, but also exceptional service. The trips are always run with the divers in mind, ensuring that the day to day schedule is kept a little flexible to ensure the very best dive sites are dives for any given day (and the least crowded).

Ideally, choose a route combining the best of the central atolls and a visit to the Baa atoll, further north of the well-known central atolls. Our recommendation is the Manta Expedition, a route that visits the North Male atolls, visiting the first manta cleaning stations and the famous Fish Factory, Baa Atoll, where we will dive in the Dharavandhoo area, next to the Hanifaru Bay (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), where we will try to enjoy the mantas while snorkeling, to continue with Rasdhoo Atoll, where pelagic fish await us, Ari Atoll where we will dive with mantas at night and some of the most spectacular thilas, and as a final touch the Vaavu Atoll with its famous and unique dive with the nurse sharks on the island of Alimathaa.

Top 5 Maldives resort in Baa Atol to see Manta Rays

If you prefer a land based stay then there are a number of very high-standard luxury Maldives hotels in Baa Atol that offer daily boat trips to snorkel with Manta Rays at Hanifaru, as well as dive some of the best dive sites in Baa Atoll.

Planet Dive Holidays are experts in travel to The Maldives. Speak to an expert on +44 1273 921001 or see our Maldive Holiday Resorts as well as the best Maldives Liveaboards

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