Baygrass Top Excursions - Snorkeling with Manta Rays at Hanifaru Bay (#1)

Hanifaru Bay is located in the east of Baa Atoll, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011. While diving is no longer allowed here, snorkelling here is a dream come true for marine life enthusiasts. With a maximum depth of 20m, the bay is known for being a nursery ground for grey sharks but from mid-May to December, the reef attracts hundreds of manta rays who come here to feed. Due to the reef’s unique structure, the plankton-rich water gets sucked from the water outside the atoll into the shallow channels, in turn attracting the manta rays. This causes a rare manta ray frenzy, owing to the confined space and volumes of these flying giants.

If travelling from India, one needs to fly to Male, the capital of Maldives, located 120 km away from Hanifaru Bay.

From Male, to reach Hanifaru Bay there are a couple of options which we would recommend depending on budget:

• By seaplane - This is the quickest and the most luxurious option to reach Hanifaru bay. Seaplanes can be boarded from Male and cost around $400-$500 per person (RS 34,000 - Rs 42,000).
• Plane and speedboat - Another way is to fly from Male to Dharavandhoo, the nearest airport to Hanifaru bay. From here, take a speed boat to the bay. The ride for 15-20 minutes and costs $50-$100 (Rs 4,200 - Rs 8,400) per head.

Apart from this, it is also possible to take a speedboat directly from the airport. However, it takes 3-4 hours and we would not recommend that.

Note: It is advisable to stay at an island or resort close to Hanifaru Bay. From there, one can avail the sea plane or a boat to make a trip to Hanifaru Bay. 

There are two options - either the local islands (which are more budget friendly) or the resorts (which are more luxurious)

Budget Stays - Below Rs 10,000

For a budget-friendly option, one can choose to stay in the Dharavandhoo island, which is closest to Hanifaru Bay (around 5-10 min by a boat). Situated in the Baa atoll, it has a population of around 800 people. It also has a long bikini beach (Maldives term for tourist beaches), which has sunbeds, umbrellas and hammocks for a nice day out. From the island, apart from Hanifaru bay, it is possible to do other excursions like 1) turtle snorkeling at a spot close to the Soneva Fushi resort 2) a visit to a chain of uninhabited islands near Kendhoo, 3) Night Fishing 4) Dolphin Cruise and 5) scuba diving (like all places in Maldives, there are plenty of sites close-by)

Some of the hotels in Dharavandhoo are Biosphere Inn, Manta Sky Inn, LVIS Blancura etc

Mid-Budget - Can range between Rs 10,000 - Rs, 25,000

There are a few mid-budget resorts, which also form good vantage points to stay for this excursion.

1. Reethi Beach Resort - Situated in the Fonimagoodhoo Island and surrounded by a beautiful lagoon, Reethi beach resort offers a selection of beach and water villas for stay and a number of wildlife tours which can be done on a traditional boat, a speedboat or a sailing catamaran.

2. Royal Island Resort - Also located in the Baa Atoll, Royal Island is around 30min seaplane ride from Male. It offers a number of other activities like sunset cruise, moonlight cruise, dolphin safari, big game fishing, local island experience, sunset fishing, sanbank picnic and sandbank golden hour cocktail experience. It however does not have water villas and hence if you want to include that experience in this trip, then we would suggest to avoid this resort.

Luxury Stays- Bear in mind that luxury resorts in Maldives can be as low as Rs 25,000 to as high as Rs 5,00,000 per night. This can go up and down depending on the season and availability.

1. Four Seasons (Landaa Giraavaru) - Backed by the Four Seasons brand, this is one of the most expensive and beautiful resorts in the Maldives. It offers a number of boat tours - romantic cruises, sunset fishing tours, private turtle snorkelling and guided trips by marine biologists. Apart from this, cinema at the beach, water sports and even courses to become a trainee marine biologist are offered here. The resort has a fully staffed “Marine Discovery Center” which is involved in the conversation of the flora and fauna of the region

2. Dusit Thani Maldives - Like most luxury resorts, Dusit Thani also has overwater villas and offers immersive experiences including moririze/non-motorized sports, diving, coral exploration, manta snorkelling, dolphin cruise, and sandbank escape.

Budget Estimate - For a mid-budget travel, we would recommend keeping a budget of around 1,20,000 per person for a short 3-4 day tour.

For your snorkelling trip to Hanifaru Bay, here’s a quick checklist and some tips.

Checklist: What to Bring

• Snorkelling Gear : Mask, snorkel, and fins. If you don’t own them, most tours offer rentals.

• Waterproof Camera : Capture the beauty of manta rays and marine life.

• Reef-Safe Sunscreen : Protect your skin and the coral reefs.

• Swimwear : A comfortable swimsuit or rash guard.

• Towel & Dry Bag : Keep belongings safe and dry.

Tips for Physical and Mental Preparation

• Practice Breathing : Familiarise yourself with breathing through the snorkel in shallow water.

• Stay Calm : Relax and focus on floating, especially in open waters.

• Physical Readiness : Be in good physical shape to swim in varying currents.

• Mental Readiness : Expect awe-inspiring marine encounters—stay calm and respectful around wildlife.

Every group must be accompanied with a certified guide and the boats are limited to 5 at a time. Everyone gets about 45 minutes inside the water and during the mass feeding events, one can observe  chain feeding  , where mantas form a line or cyclone feeding , where the giant fish form a large circle. Cyclone feeding can be observed when there are more than 50 manta rays. When the number goes beyond 100, the mantas spiral outward creating a feeding frenzy, a truly spectacular sight.

The manta rays along with whale sharks are regarded as protected species, getting close to them or touching them is forbidden. Avoid diving below them and flash photography is prohibited.

Whales sharks and manta rays can be identified with their unique spots. Interestingly, you can name a manta if you identify a new one .

Various initiative like the Madives Manta Conservaion Program and the Manta Trust strive to conserve the manta rays and envision a “sustainable future for the Maldivians and their natural resources.” This is done through community research and education initiatives.

Hanifaru Bay was declared a marine protect area in 2009 and it became part of UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2011. It is patrolled by rangers and there are strict guidelines for the visitors to follow - 1) Motorized vehicles and scuba diving is banned 2) One five boats are allowed at one time and each boat can stay for only 45 minutes and 3) all visitors have to be accompanied by a guide. 

1. How do I get to Hanifaru Bay?
Hanifaru Bay is located in the Baa Atoll of the Maldives. The easiest way to get there is by taking a domestic flight from Malé to Dharavandhoo Island, followed by a short boat ride to the bay.

2. When is the best time to visit Hanifaru Bay?
The peak season to visit Hanifaru Bay is from May to November, when manta rays and whale sharks gather in large numbers due to the plankton bloom.

3. Do I need a permit to snorkel at Hanifaru Bay?
Yes, Hanifaru Bay is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and you’ll need to book a guided tour that includes a snorkeling permit to access the area.

4. Can I swim with manta rays at Hanifaru Bay?
Yes! Hanifaru Bay is famous for manta ray sightings, especially during the feeding frenzy. You can snorkel alongside them, but diving is not permitted to protect the wildlife.

5. Is snorkeling safe at Hanifaru Bay?
Snorkeling at Hanifaru Bay is generally safe with a guide. The waters are shallow, but there can be strong currents, so it’s important to follow instructions and stay with your group.

Snorkeling at Hanifaru Bay is a truly magical experience, where you can witness the beauty of manta rays in their natural habitat. The sheer thrill of being surrounded by these gentle giants is something that will stay with you forever.

As you enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime encounter, it’s essential to remember the need to protect this fragile ecosystem. Respect the marine life and follow conservation guidelines to ensure Hanifaru Bay remains a sanctuary for future visitors and the incredible wildlife that calls it home.