Top 3 places to go swimming with mantas in the Maldives

There aren’t that many experiences that can top swimming with manta rays, or mantas as they are so very popularly called. The elegance with which these majestic beings forever glide through the waters makes them one of the most captivating creatures to observe in the sea.

Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts wishing to swim alongside mantas should think about planning a trip to the Maldives. The island nation is famous for its marine life, amongst which manta rays and sharks are the two top attractions.

The wonderful part about visiting the Maldives is that you will most probably come across manta rays without even having to venture into the water as they regularly frequent lagoons and house reefs near resorts. However, for an intimate tête-à-tête, you should travel to locations where mantas visit for sure.

In preparation for your spectacular island vacation, here are all the facts you need to know about mantas, from popular spots where they congregate in the hundreds to the best times for swimming with mantas.

Types of mantas found in the Maldives

Many people find it surprising that manta rays are closely related to sharks. However, their flattened body is one of the main distinguishing factors between the two species.

The average manta ray grows to about 3 meters in width with a typically larger brain than other fish. According to the Marine Megafauna Foundation, only two fish species belong to the genus Manta and have the name manta ray.

Reef Manta (Manta Alfredi) is the smallest of the manta species. The Reef Manta has a white color in its mouth and tends to stay close to the coast. They are fond of diving up to 400 meters into the sea. So, if you were to go deep diving into Maldivian waters, this is the species you are most likely to encounter.

Giant Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) is the larger of the two species with a width that can go up to 9 meters. Its appearance is similar to the Reef Manta, but it has a dark color around the mouth. Giant Manta Rays are fond of swimming close to the water surface, away from the coast

Best time to go swimming with mantas

When planning a journey to go swimming with mantas in the Maldives, it is essential to get the timing right. Summer and spring, when the water temperature is warmer, are the best seasons to plan your island holiday. That is when you will encounter an abundance of mantas in Maldivian waters.

Best places to go swimming with mantas in the Maldives

A fantastic part about vacationing in the Maldives is observing varied marine life throughout the archipelago. While mantas are common in the island chain’s waters throughout the year, a few places are particularly known for hosting them in excess.

When planning an excursion to swim with these magnificent sea creatures, make sure you include the following three best locations to see mantas in the Maldives

Hanifaru Bay

Located in Northern Maldives’ Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay is a world-renowned site known for harboring stingrays, reef mantas, and gray sharks. The bay is also one of few locations in the world where whale sharks gather in large numbers to breed. Due to many sea creatures that visit the bay, it was designated as a Marine Protected Area in 2009 and is also a part of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Hanifaru Bay’s popularity among fish species is due to its plankton filled waters. From spring to winter (Mid-May to December) every year, a lunar tide occurs in the region, which results in massive plankton getting trapped in the bay. This concentration of zooplanktons draws in close to 200 manta rays and company sharks.

To preserve the environment, diving is no longer allowed in the bay, but a limited number of people can snorkel with mantas. Hanifaru Bay is one of the most extraordinary places in the world to go swimming with mantas and not a chance you want to miss.

Hurai Faru

Located close to Hanifaru Bay is Hurai Faru, another fantastic site to see a large gathering of mantas. When exploring the shallow balmy waters of Hurai Faru, you will find different fish types from mackerel and swordfish to fusiliers. Similar to Hanifaru Bay, the large congregation of sea life in Hurai Faru is due to its plankton (crustaceans and copepods) rich waters.

When swimming with the mantas in Hurai Faru, one thing you are likely to come across is chain feeding. Chain feeding includes the mantas swimming behind each other in lines while scooping plankton into their wide mouths. In contrast, when hundreds of mantas end up in Hanifaru Bay, snorkellers get to witness what is known as a “feeding frenzy.”

Due to the small size of Hurai Faru, you may not come across the same number of mantas as in Hanifary Bay, but you’ll indeed find enough for a memorable experience.

Panettone

Located in Ari Atoll and reachable from Thudufushi, Panettone is one of the Maldives’ most beautiful sites due to its varied underwater topography. Popular as a drift diving destination, swimming in Panettone means exploring a vast cave, colorful soft corals, and spectacular overhangs. 

Throughout the year, Panettone is home to grey reef sharks, barracudas, trevallies, and several reef fish species. However, during the northeast monsoon, the dry season between January and March, Panettone’s waters welcome turtles and manta rays. It is worth noting that the current in Panettone can sometimes go up to 2 knots, and the site is thus more favorable for experienced divers.

N.B.: all information is correct as of the post-publication date, and prices are subject to change.