Graceful manta rays are one of the brightest reasons to visit the Maldives. The Internet is full of photos where people walk nearby and feed manta rays on paradise islands. That makes it even more disappointing when tourists come to the Maldives and do not meet a single manta ray there, says wiotto.com, an expert in booking exotic islands. How to see these charming animals, read here.
When to fly to the Maldives
With luck, manta rays can be found in the Maldives during the whole year. However, the most likely time is from May to November, especially in late summer and early autumn. This is the low season on the islands due to frequent rains and winds. These conditions bring plankton, and it, in turn, attracts manta rays.
The most likely time of day to meet mantas is during the day, when mantas are looking for plankton in shallow water, and at night they go to deep sea. By the way, night diving is also popular among divers in the Maldives.
Are manta rays dangerous to humans?
Despite the fact that manta rays are called devil rays, they are not dangerous to humans, unless, of course, the animal is provoked into self-defence. It is safe for people to swim or walk in shallow water with manta rays. However, it is worth remembering that you cannot touch animals, just like corals, and in general everything that lives and grows in the Maldivian waters.
What do manta rays look like?
Devil rays are the largest members of the Mobulidae family. They grow up to 9 meters in length (average species are 4-5 meters long) and weigh several tons. At the same time, they swim very gracefully and can even perform spectacular jumps over water. Tourists love them.
Where can you see manta rays in the Maldives?
The most interesting atolls of the Maldives for manta rays are Baa Atoll (there is also the UNESCO-protected Hanifaru Nature Reserve), Addu Atoll and Ari Atoll. Choose hotels located in these atolls. By the way, the wiotto.com catalog has the possibility to filter hotels by atolls.
What concerns the specific hotels, here is a list of resorts that organize trips to places where manta rays are often found: Vilamendhoo Island Resort, Sun Island Resort & Spa, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Bliss Dhigurah, Dusit Thani Maldives. This is far from a complete list. Contact the online chat on wiotto.com and the managers will help you choose a resort.
