Unforgettable Encounters: Experience the Magic of Manta Rays with Vakkaru Maldives

As the calendar turns to May and extends through November, the crystal-clear waters of nearby Hanifaru Bay transform into a dazzling stage for the ethereal creatures, offering visitors the opportunity to witness their captivating dance.

Located at the southeast edge of the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Bay is the world’s largest feeding station for reef manta rays and whale sharks. The mantas, year-round residents of this island nation, transition through its 26 atolls in conjunction with the changing monsoons and the resulting abundance and distribution of zooplankton.

A quirk of nature and the unique funnel shape of Hanifaru Bay’s outer reef leads to mass gatherings of feeding manta rays. Strong lunar tides affect the force of the prevailing monsoonal current, drawing plankton-rich water from the ocean depths outside the atoll back into the shallow channels. These then form a reverse current, which traps and concentrates an abundance of plankton in the shallow bay, attracting the sea giants and resulting in a feeding frenzy. With their mesmerizing, billowing wingspans of up to nine meters, this phenomenon is a sight that will leave you speechless.