The warm, crystal-clear seas of the Maldives’ tropical atolls make swimming with manta rays there an unforgettable experience. The Maldives also has some of the world’s finest wilderness diving and snorkeling. One of the most popular and memorable experiences for visitors to the Maldives is swimming with manta rays.
The Best Place to Swim with Manta Rays in the Maldives
A trip to the Maldives’ Hanifaru Bay, home to the world’s biggest gathering of manta rays for feeding, is a must for anybody interested in swimming with them. The bay, located within the Baa Atoll and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011, has been a carefully protected marine environment.
The UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is home to a swarm of manta rays and the odd whale shark between May and November.
The Maldives’ Top Manta-Ray Swimming Spots: Where to Stay and Play
Here are the top 10 whale shark and manta ray spots in the Maldives, along with when to see them.
- LUX* South Ari Atoll
- Sun Island Resort and Spa
- Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
- Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa
- Vakarufalhi Island Resort & Spa-All Inclusive
- Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll
- Dusit Thani Maldives
- Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences
- Maamigili, South Ari Atoll
- Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll
Swimming with Manta Rays in the Maldives FAQs
What’s the best time to swim with manta rays in the Maldives?
Atoll hopping is common in the Maldives, where reef manta rays may be seen all year round. In general, the Maldives has two different seasons for manta ray diving. Atolls in the Maldives have reef manta rays from May to October on the eastern side and from November to April on the western.