At a glance
| At a glance | In the Maldives |
|---|---|
| Species | Reef mantas, all year; oceanic mantas mainly around Fuvahmulah, mostly from March to May |
| Where | Eastern sides of the atolls in the southwest monsoon, western sides in the northeast monsoon |
| Best known | Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll (snorkelling only), Lankan Manta Point in North Malé, the cleaning station in Addu |
| How | Snorkelling where they feed; diving at cleaning stations |
| The rules | Enter the water 10 m away, stay 3 m back, never touch or chase, no flash |
Two kinds of manta
Most visitors meet the reef manta, which lives in the Maldives all year. The country has the largest known population: more than 6,000 have been identified by their markings. The larger oceanic manta, an endangered species, is seen mainly around Fuvahmulah in the far south, mostly from March to May.
Where and when
Mantas follow the plankton, which moves with the monsoon winds. In the southwest monsoon, from about May, they feed mostly on the eastern sides of the atolls; in the northeast monsoon they move to the western sides.
Hanifaru Bay, in Baa Atoll, sees some of the largest gatherings anywhere, between about May and November. It is a protected area: only permitted boats may enter, and visitors snorkel, as diving is not allowed. Lankan Manta Point, in North Malé Atoll, is a cleaning station divers visit in the southwest monsoon. Ari Atoll has manta points on both sides, and in Addu Atoll, in the far south, reef mantas can be seen at the cleaning station all year.
Feeding and cleaning
Mantas feed at the surface where plankton gathers, sometimes in groups of more than a hundred, which is when snorkellers see them best. Divers usually meet them at cleaning stations: coral heads where small fish clean the mantas’ skin while they circle slowly overhead.
How to swim with them
- Enter the water quietly, no closer than 10 metres, and keep your fins below the surface.
- Stay at least 3 metres away, the national rule for all rays, and approach from the side, leaving the way ahead clear.
- Never chase or touch a manta.
- Divers: stay low, keep to the edge of the cleaning station, and never block a manta’s path overhead.
- Use natural light, without flash, and shine dive lights sparingly.