MALDIVES central atolls & hanifaru route

The best trip for Manta Rays diving

From August to October is the best season to visit the North Atolls in Maldives. We recommend an interesting diving cruise called MANTA EXPEDITION. After a first diving day in North Male where we look for a Manta cleaning station, we will sail northbound to the Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay. On this atoll we will try to enjoy snorkeling with mantas in the Hanifaru Bay, Biosphere Reserve.

Depending on sea conditions, currents and sightings on that week, and apart from mantas, we will modify the route in search for pelagics in Rasdoo, as well as diving with mantas by night and, with a bit of luck, diving &/or snorkelling with the whale shark on the Ari Atoll.

Our route for manta ray diving

Our Manta Expedition route allows us to combine a large part of the classic route, the best known in the Maldives, with the Baa Atoll, North of the central atolls. In this route we explore the North Male and South Male atolls, visiting the first manta cleaning stations and some thilas to see sharks, such as Kandooma and Guraidhoo. Crossing to the Ari Atoll where we will look for the whale shark and dive with mantas at night, and diving in Rasdhoo, where the pelagics await us. Completing the cruise sailing to the North already in Baa, in the Dharavandhoo area, next to Hanifaru Bay (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) where we will try to enjoy the manta ray diving and snorkeling. As you can see, this route represents the most famous diving areas of the Northern Atolls of the Maldives.

Diving with manta rays

Manta ray diving is one of the most exciting and unforgettable experiences in a scuba diver’s life. Diving with tanks or just snorkeling, the sensation of being in the water with these awesome animals is incredible. The chance to be in front of them feeding the plankton is something amazing. How they open the mouth to filter the water and start swimming on the surface like interpreting a choreography, dancing, swimming, and feeding is something very special.