Dive with Manta’s in the Maldives with These World-Renowned Diving Hot-spots!

Monday 4th of July 2022

A manta ray dive or snorkel trip is no doubt, but an unforgettable adventure! It is something you have to do without fail if you are an ocean child. The sea giants have been around for 5 million years and are more than just fish; they are a representation of majesty, elegance, and freedom. The relationship you develop with manta rays as they glide and dance around you, however, is what makes diving with them even more magical.

The Maldives is one of the best places on earth to experience manta rays. However, diving here can also result in numerous encounters with whale sharks and nurse sharks. The best places to see manta rays in this island nation is hot-spots in Baa Atoll and Ari Atoll.

Ari Atoll

One of the country’s most popular atolls and a favorite of pelagic lovers is the Ari Atoll. All kinds of large marine life are drawn to it by its diverse underwater topography, which includes inner atoll reefs, pinnacles, and channels. Most visitors can easily see manta rays feeding on the massive amounts of plankton brought in through this atoll's channels in addition to frequently seeing whale sharks.

Manta ray sightings can occur anywhere, but Ukulhas Thila and Panettone are the dive sites with the highest degree of certainty. Although these lovely creatures are present all year long, they do migrate around the atoll on a seasonal basis. The best manta diving can be found on the west side of the atoll from January to April during the northeast monsoon. Look to the east side of the atoll from June to November during the southwest monsoon. At Fesdu Lagoon, night diving with feeding manta rays is another perk of the southwest monsoon.

Check out LUX* South Ari Atoll and W Maldives located in this prestigious atoll, and book your stay in this Manta season to experience the magical sea giants.

Baa Atoll

The tiny Baa Atoll is located above a gaping channel just north of the Ari Atoll. It is perched on the edge of the open ocean. Due to its geographic location, Hanifaru Bay, the largest bay in the area, and the shape and morphology of the bay, there is an enormous concentration of plankton. The bay becomes the focal point for the zooplankton, where they are concentrated heavily. As a result, the area attracts hundreds of manta rays between June and November. In actuality, Baa Atoll has seen the identification of over 1,600 people. More than 40% of Maldivians live in those islands!

These manta rays exhibit the amazing cyclone feeding show along with a few whale sharks. Hanifaru Bay is almost the only place where this peculiar behavior occurs. Any fan of manta rays must dive at Baa Atoll. Check out Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences and The Nautilus Maldives located in this prestigious atoll, and book your stay in this Manta season to experience the magical sea giants.

[Cover Photo: The Nautilus Maldives]