Can I scuba dive in Hanifaru Bay?

No. Scuba diving is prohibited inside Hanifaru Bay to protect the rays. You can only snorkel there. You must dive at nearby reefs outside the bay to see them while on air.

Will I definitely see them?

Mantas are wild animals, but between July and October in Baa Atoll, the success rate is over 80%. Check the lunar cycle, as tides strongly influence their presence.

How to Dive with Manta Rays in the Maldives

To dive with manta rays in the Maldives, visit the Baa Atoll between June and November during the monsoon season. Book a stay at a resort or liveaboard that provides direct boat access to Hanifaru Bay, where these rays congregate to feed.

Choose the right atoll. Focus your trip on Baa Atoll. While mantas exist elsewhere, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Hanifaru Bay is the world's most reliable spot for mass sightings.
Time your arrival. Target the southwest monsoon season, specifically July through October. This is when plankton blooms peak, attracting hundreds of mantas to the shallow channels.
Secure a permit. Hanifaru Bay is a protected area. Ensure your dive center or resort has secured your mandatory entry permit in advance, as visitor numbers are strictly capped daily.
Follow no-touch protocols. Never touch or chase the mantas. Stay neutrally buoyant and let them swim toward you; they are naturally curious creatures.

Can I scuba dive in Hanifaru Bay?: No. Scuba diving is prohibited inside Hanifaru Bay to protect the rays. You can only snorkel there. You must dive at nearby reefs outside the bay to see them while on air.
Will I definitely see them?: Mantas are wild animals, but between July and October in Baa Atoll, the success rate is over 80%. Check the lunar cycle, as tides strongly influence their presence.