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'ONLY' 40 mantas!! :) that is so lucky!
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Shore Day Trip Live Aboard
Country: Maldives Area: Maldives
Water Temp: 25 - 30°C (77 - 86°F)
Book A Diving Trip OnlineHome to the famous Hanifaru Lagoon where huge numbers Manta Rays and Whale Sharks congregate to mass feed!
Book A Dive Center OnlineBaa and Raa Atolls are also known as North Maalhosmadulu and South Maalhosmadulu are based in the north west of the Maldives.
Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in two ways, either by land or by a liveaboard. This choice entirely depends on the type of holiday you are after, whether you would like a totally dive based holiday or diving mixed in with other activities.
Anemone Fish, Credit
The Maldives experiences a complex weather pattern consisting of two seasons, the dry Northeast Monsoon and the wet Southwest Monsoon. During these two seasons the air temperature varies only slightly and the main factor is the wind direction. From May to November the prevailing winds are from the Southeast, bringing the wet season. This season has more rainfall than the dry season but there is still a lot of sunshine and when it does rain it tends to rain hard and for a short time. The dry Northeast season runs from December to April and this the time when you get the best visibility.
A longfin bannerfish, Credit
These weather patterns have a strong influence on the currents and therefore the conditions on dive sites. This affects where to find the marine life which varies dramatically from the eastern to western atolls. Diving during the wet Southwest season it is spectacular on the Western atolls and you can frequently encounter large schools of tuna, barracuda, eagle rays and sharks. The water temperature is cooler than the dry season averaging around 26C, which has an effect on the marine life. The grey reef sharks and hammerhead sharks in particular can be witnessed in larger schools and can be found in shallower water. The Eastern atolls during this time is best for spotting Mantas and Whale sharks but the visibility is not as good as the west due to the plankton rich water which attracts these huge creatures.
The Northeast season is the Maldives summer period, with higher air and water temperatures and less rain. The effect it has on the currents and therefore the marine life is dramatic. The sharks and other large pelagic leave to move across to the Eastern atolls and the most action from these species are in the channels, thilas and in the main current points over there. The Mantas and Whale Sharks however also swap sides and move over to the Western atolls.
Humpback snapper and Bluestripe snapper, Credit
Currently, Baa and Raa Atoll receive some of the lowest levels of tourists in the Maldives region. The area’s limited development has left much of the surrounding reefs well preserved for the moment. Baa Atoll has one of the largest manta ray populations who visit Hanifaru Bay when the plankton blooms. Raa Atoll by contrast is infamous for its submerged pinnacles and exceptional variety in fish. Baa Atoll recently joined a list of UNESCO World Biosphere conservation regions, and is intended to be a model for eco-tourism worldwide. Given its limited touristic development thus far, researchers are working in partnership with local lodges and non-profits to establish a sustainable model for business operations as the region’s popularity grows. This Maldives government has undergone a rapid transformation in terms of its policies and activities related to environmental conservation as regional tourism grows. Given the breadth of conservation initiatives throughout the Maldives more broadly, this set of islands will likely receive a growing amount of positive international attention.
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Most island resorts will provide unlimited house reef diving where you can dive from certain entry points along the shore, if you are an experienced diver you are able to explore these house reefs without a guide as you like. The resorts are all suitable for all levels with the warm, shallow water and interesting easy to reach house reefs making these sites perfect for beginners.
Hawksbill Turtle, Credit
Most resorts have a dive centre based on the island which provide boats a couple of times a day to the surrounding dive sites with some day boats to the sites further afield.
Manta Rays are one of the reasons that the Maldives is a top destination for divers, as this is one of the few places in the world almost guaranteed to provide divers with an amazing encounter with these elegant giants. They are year round residents of the Maldives but the locations they can be found at varies with the seasons.
Liveaboards are the most efficient way to take in the best dive sites the Maldives has to offer, as they can cover the most of the area and can travel to wherever the most exciting action is at the time. They will all have experienced dive guides who know the area well so will know where and when to see the best of the marine life. The liveaboards do tend to have a minimum dive requirement for some of their trips due to the strong currents some dives they do will be difficult for beginner divers, although some do allow you to take part in further training whilst diving with them.
Morays, Credit
Cyclone feeding is a rare and spectacular event where over 100 manta rays can feed together and create a chain which the head of each manta ray touches the tail of the manta in front. This creates a huge spiral of up to 200 mantas. The Maldives is one of the few places on the planet where divers can experience this dramatic event which takes place at Hanifaru Lagoon during the months of May to October. The tide, current and wind at this time are at an optimal alignment which traps huge concentrations of plankton in the lagoon that attracts hundreds of the graceful mantas along with their fellow plankton feeders the Whale Shark. To dive in this cyclone is an exhilarating experience with the gigantic creatures whizzing about on every side of you and is definitely a moment of your life that you will never forget! If you are land based on a resort at Ari Atoll you will not be close enough to reach this phenomenon but most liveaboards during this season will visit Hanifaru to witness this amazing sight.
White collar butterflyfish, Credit
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The individual islands in Baa & Raa Atoll can be reached by sea plane from Male which is the location of the international airport. During these flights you can take in the magnificent aerial views of the atolls dotted in turquoise and blue water.
Baa Atoll, Credit
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Baa and Raa Atoll are fairly underdeveloped at the moment, and can either be visited by liveaboard or at one of the few operating luxury lodges in the region. Either option will provide all meals and drinks for guests in a truly remarkable setting.
Breakfast meal, Credit
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Diving is the main tourist activity on all of the Maldives islands, even so there is a selection of many other activities to take part in on the resort islands. The activities available will depend on the facilities of your chosen resort, so when picking an island and resort you should research what each has to offer. Most resorts have spas, a selection of bars and restaurants, and many other water based activities such as wind surfing, snorkelling, canoeing and sailing. The Maldives is an excellent holiday destination for those who love diving and the water or those who simply want to relax and do nothing on a peaceful quiet remote beach.
Champagne, Credit
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Most divers will choose to explore this region on a liveaboard rather than from one of the island lodges. This enables guests to visit a wider variety of reefs and marine life which are spread over 40km. Liveaboards have a tendency to fill early, so it is wise to book your vacation at least six months in advance.
Oriental sweetlips, Credit
My boyfriend and I stayed at Reethi Beach Resort at Baa atoll from May 4 - May 10 in 2014. At the time we went, there were a couple storms and when we went for our dive trip, we didn't get to see Manta! (one of our regrets...)
So we have decided to go back to the Maldives this year, however due to our work schedule, we can only visit in April (April 13 - April 24 to be exact). Based on the dive report above, it doesn't seems like the Manta comes around until May....
If not, we may need to make time to come back in September as I heard people have better chances spotting Manta and whale shark during September - November....
Can anyone advise? We are flying from Canada so it's quite a long trip for us.. Would love to see Manta!!!!!
Me and my friends wanted to dive in the Maldives but it is very expensive. After few months of research we ended finding a hotel called Aveyla (Aveyla.com) in a local island DHARAVANDHOO. It was simply stunning. The price was perfect for a full board + 2 dives per day.
Anyway, we stayed for 4 days and each was more beautiful than the other. The dives were fantastic with clear warm water and a huge amount of marine life.
The highlight of the trip was snorkelling with Manta rays in Hanifaru Bay (Dive is not allowed there as it is a UNESCO protected area). Reading online, many reports indicated 100 Manta rays at one go feeding there. For us, it was towards end of the season so our trip had 30-40 Mantas feeding. Keep in mind one thing, you can miss the Mantas. For us we waited every day with no luck. Finally on the 4th day early morning we got word that they are feeding and we had to rush to there, so be prepared to get a last minute call.
Anyway, these gentle creature were a joy to swim with. I don't think I have loved a wild creature as much as the Mantas. They are gentle and friendly and very playful so its really sad to hear of them being hunted and so on.
Anyway. if you want a cheap but memorable experience diving and swimming in the Maldives check with Aveyla. The owner (Sidey) is also the dive master and he's one of the best dive masters you will get.
Over all AMAZING experience and I would defiantly go back for the Mantas again and again and again and again.
HI there, we are coming aas part of our honeymoon and are wondering where the best place to stay is to see the mantra rays at this time of the year? we are staying from the 25th july - 1st Aug
thanks
Cyclone feeding happens at Hanifaru Bay.. a few Km from Baa/Raa atoll.. the best time to see them depends on the seasonal weather systems but you are there at a good time and it happens throughout several months.
Thanks David! we will keep our fingers crossed, but know even if we don't see them we will have a wonderful time from looking at the pictures! Do you recommend any particular places to stay which offer good diving or manta trips?
I worked in Tofo, Mozambique February till September diving nearly every day. I can only think of a handful of dives where I didn't see more than 1 manta. Plus, you can't seem to get away from the humpback whales. The water's cold but you don't notice it when there's so much to look at. Dive with Tofo Scuba.
I am looking for a dive company in the Maldives which specialises in Manta trips (visiting cleaning stations), either from shore or via liveaboard.
I don't personally know any company's but a liveaboard would definitely be your best option as they have the flexibility to move around and go where the mantas are, you are more limited to dive sites from shore.
I can recommend the Carpe Vita liveaboard. I was on a trip with them in April and we did a night Manta Ray dive, followed by cleaning station dives the next day. They have an experienced crew, great accommodations and their itinerary gives you a bit of everything else as well.
Scubaspa has launched a new 50m vessel the yang which will be travelling to Baa and Raa atols from December 2014. Luxurious diving at affordable prices
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Luke Goodrige
Honestly I think it depends on the cyclone/season etc.. April is a bit early - but you never know you might be lucky!
Gifford Pelletier
Not technically the best time of year.. but the other diving is spectacular and there is so many other things to see regardless of Mantas! Best of luck! :)
Laura Norris
just landed back (yesterday - sob) from a liveaboard with MV Sea Spirit who do Manta special trips where they spend more time on manta-likely sites. we saw upwards of 15 individuals feeding (night dive) and cleaning. also did some sharky dives (grey, white and black tip, night nurse shark dive) and went looking for whale sharks (no luck on that count). food is good and plentiful, definitely a 'divers' liveaboard, we were the least experienced but well looked after. you need to take your own mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit but you can hire the rest