Where can I swim with manta rays in Maldives?
5 BEST PLACES TO STAY FOR SWIMMING WITH MANTA RAYS IN MALDIVES – LOCAL ISLANDS & RESORTS
- Local island #1: Dharavandhoo, Kiha Beach – the Gateway to Accessing Hanifaru Bay.
- Local island #2: Dhigurah – South Ari Atoll.
- Local Island #3 Fuvahmulah.
- RESORT #1 DUSIT THANI MALDIVES.
- RESORT #2 AMILLA FUSHI RESORT.
Where is Hanifaru Bay in Maldives?
Baa Atoll
Hanifaru bay is on the east side of the distant Baa Atoll. It is approximately 115 km north of Male and the Velana International Airport (MLE).
How do I get to Hanifaru?
To visit Hanifaru Bay you have to book a trip through a licensed guesthouse, resort or safari boat. Many resorts in Baa Atoll have license and there are some guesthouses in Dharavandhoo that offer trips to this manta sanctuary.
Can you swim with stingrays in Maldives?
Stingrays will swim away if they feel under threat so it’s perfectly safe to swim near them. They only attack with their barb if they have been stepped on so always look down when you’re snorkelling or diving to make sure there aren’t any swimming beneath you that you may accidentally touch.
What is the best time to see manta rays in Maldives?
Manta rays in the Maldives are present from November to April on the western side of the atolls and from May to October on the eastern side of the atolls. The best scuba diving places for manta ray sightings are in Baa Atoll and Addu Atoll.
Can manta rays sting?
Instead, their barbs are a defense mechanism used when threatened by predators. Manta rays have long tails like stingrays. Only they don’t have barbs. That means that manta rays can’t sting you or anybody for that matter.
Can you dive in Hanifaru Bay?
Visiting Hanifaru Bay While diving is no longer permitted in the bay, snorkelling certainly is. And with a maximum depth of around 20-metres, and the mantas and whale sharks spending most of their time feeding near the surface, there’s really no need for a tank.
What is Hanifaru Bay?
Hanifaru Bay in the Baa Atoll is the Maldives’ top diving spot. It is a long and narrow bay at the small uninhabited island of Hanifaru. The bay is a protected marine park thanks to its importance for the manta ray population, and the whole Baa Atoll has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Are there sharks around the Maldives?
With over 20 species of sharks in this archipelago from the abundant blacktip reef sharks to rare great hammerheads, get to know some of the common species here and even spot them when you visit for a snorkelling or scuba diving trip!
What rays do you get in the Maldives?
Guide to Rays of the Maldives
- Manta Rays. Reef mantas have a diamond body shape with a wing span reaching up to four metres.
- Eagle Rays. Usually around metre in wing span with a diamond body shape formed by pointed pectoral fins.
- Stingrays.
Can you see whale sharks in Maldives?
The whale shark is a harmless majestic sea creature, living in the depths of the ocean. It is considered one of the largest fish in the sea. In Maldives, you can spot these gentle giants swimming through the currents of the ocean, most popular in South Ari Atoll.
Are manta rays safe to swim with?
Manta Rays are not dangerous. They are even harmless and can’t hurt any diver or swimmer. They are usually very curious and swim around the divers. They can sometimes even jump out of the water to get rid off their parasites!