InterContinental Maldives Prepares To Host Second Edition of Manta Retreat This March
Monday 30th of January 2023
The upmarket InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is gearing up to host the second edition of its extremely popular Manta Retreat this March. The first Manta Retreat took place last October 2022, providing many guests with the opportunity to see up close the underwater giants while learning about the research and education surrounding these gentle creatures. The programme was incepted in close collaboration with the Manta Trust organization and now returns for a second time to thrill guests again.
The programme is targeted at all sorts of adventure seekers from oceanholics and nature lovers to young explorers and those looking to add more meaning to their holidays. With the perfect dose of both an affluent vacation and enjoyable education, the Manta Retreat will be a unique experience for all.
The location of the resort puts it at a great advantage when it comes to manta rays, with sightings seen throughout the year. As part of the retreat, the resort will be offering a myriad of innovative educational experiences, aimed to provide deep insights into the research, habitat and behaviour of Manta rays. Hence through the retreat, guests will not only be able to snorkel alongside the enormous rays but see them in a new light through a conservationist’s lens.
Some of the lessons covered in the retreat include valuable information on plankton, coral reefs and the importance of marine conservation. This year’s Manta Retreat falls within the Maamunagau Manta Season, where a plethora of young manta rays is seen scouring the resort’s lagoon, a few steps away from the shore. The Maamunagau Lagoon is revered as a juvenile manta ray aggregation point as well as a crucial research ground for researchers.
Another Manta-Ray site lies just a short boat ride away, one which is world-famous for the congregation of Manta Rays- The Hanifaru Bay. This feeding station is visited by hundreds of manta rays during the season due to the high numbers of plankton turnover into the bay by the turning current.
The exclusive second edition will be held from 9th to 13th March 2023 and will include a multitude of snorkelling and research trips, on-hand educational workshops and excursions tailored to find turtles and coral reefs. Through this retreat, the resort’s objective is to educate participants and ocean lovers on manta rays and drive their protection, by raising awareness and funds to support the work of the Manta Trust.
