Manta Ray & Whale Shark Encounter
Manta ray and whale shark encounters in the Maldives split into two different geographies. Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, pulls both species into a shallow feeding channel on a seasonal cycle — mantas roughly May through November, whale sharks concentrated August to November — with resorts across the atoll running guided speedboat excursions in. South Ari Atoll works the opposite calendar: it's one of the only places in the world with whale shark sightings recorded year-round, peaking August through November, with manta activity strongest September through May. Either way, it's usually a snorkel rather than a dive, led by a guide or, where a resort has one, a resident marine biologist.
The most developed programmes lean directly on that geography. On Baa Atoll, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru runs a Manta Ray Project, with resident marine biologists leading guest education on the atoll's manta population. On South Ari Atoll, Constance Moofushi's Whale Shark Snorkelling Adventure heads out to Maamigili Kandu, with a share of the fee funding its "Be Gentle to Giants" conservation programme, while NH Maldives Kuda Rah sits within a Marine Protected Area in the same atoll, where whale sharks turn up in every month of the year.
None of it is staged. These are wild animals on their own schedule, which is why resorts call the outing a "safari" or "adventure" rather than a promise, and getting the season right for the right atoll matters more than which particular resort you choose.
Good to know
Depends on the atoll, not one fixed window
Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay runs mantas roughly May–November and whale sharks August–November; South Ari Atoll sees whale sharks year-round (peaking August–November) and mantas September–May.
Snorkel, not scuba
Almost always a guided snorkel rather than a dive, led by a guide or, where the resort has one, a resident marine biologist.
Booked on-island, as a shared excursion
Arranged through the resort's dive or watersports desk once you've checked in, usually as a group trip rather than a private charter.
Distance to the hotspot varies by resort
Some resorts sit minutes away — Amilla's Hanifaru Bay Adventures run 15 minutes out, Gili Lankanfushi's Manta Point trip is a 10-minute boat ride — others are considerably further; ask us how close a candidate resort actually is.
Sightings aren't guaranteed
These are wild, free-ranging animals, which is why resorts call the trip a "safari" or "adventure" rather than a promise — the right season and atoll matter more than the resort you pick.
Where it’s distinctive
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
Raa Atoll · seaplane, 45 minutes
Proximity excursion to Hanifaru Bay UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, known for manta ray aggregations.
Amilla Maldives
Baa Atoll · seaplane or domestic flight + speedboat, 35 min seaplane / flight + 15 min boat
Hanifaru Bay Adventures, 15 minutes from the island by boat, for seasonal manta ray and whale shark encounters.
ananea Madivaru Maldives
North Ari Atoll · private transfer, confirmed at booking
Manta snorkelling excursion offered
Anantara Dhigu Maldives
South Malé Atoll · speedboat, 30 minutes
Seasonal manta and whale shark snorkelling excursions with Aquafanatics run August–December
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Baa Atoll · seaplane, 35 minutes
Excursions run to Hanifaru Bay's May-November manta and whale shark feeding season in the UNESCO Marine Biosphere.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
Baa Atoll · seaplane, confirmed at booking
Manta ray encounters minutes from Hanifaru Bay, one of the world's largest manta congregations.
Baglioni Maldives
Dhaalu Atoll · seaplane, 45 minutes
Whale Shark Excursion in Dhaalu Atoll.
Bandos Maldives
North Malé Atoll · speedboat, 10-15 minutes
Whale shark expeditions run as a standalone excursion
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives
South Ari Atoll · seaplane, 25 minutes
Half-day and full-day South Ari Atoll excursions to swim with whale sharks and green sea turtles.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
North Malé Atoll · speedboat, confirmed at booking
Manta Snorkelling excursion, 14.94 km from the resort per the official distance chart
Cheval Blanc Randheli
Noonu Atoll · seaplane or speedboat, 40 min seaplane / speedboat confirmed at booking
Excursions reach UNESCO-protected Hanifaru Bay, a manta ray and shark nursery
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
Baa Atoll · seaplane, 30 minutes
Snorkelling with Manta Rays offered as a group experience; Hanifaru Bay (manta rays May–Nov, whale sharks Aug–Nov) is 20–25 minutes away by speedboat.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
South Ari Atoll · seaplane, 30 minutes
South Ari Atoll offers year-round whale shark sightings, one of the only spots worldwide.
Constance Moofushi
South Ari Atoll · seaplane, 35 minutes
Seasonal Manta Ray Snorkelling (Jan–May) and Whale Shark Snorkelling Adventure at Maamigili Kandu, tied to the "Be Gentle to Giants" conservation initiative.
Dusit Thani Maldives
Baa Atoll · seaplane or domestic flight + speedboat, 35 min seaplane / 25 min flight + 10 min boat
Manta cleaning-station visits and off-the-beaten-track Baa Atoll snorkel sites
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Baa Atoll · private transfer, confirmed at booking
Manta Ray Project runs alongside the 'Swim with Holographic Mantas' immersive deep-sea projection experience.
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection
Gaafu Alifu Atoll · seaplane, confirmed at booking
Whale Shark Encounter runs in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, alongside Tiger Shark Diving in Fuvahmulah (2.5-hour journey), both via the MSTS dive partnership
.Here Baa Atoll, Maldives
Baa Atoll · seaplane or private boat, confirmed at booking
Guided Hanifaru Bay excursion for seasonal manta ray encounters in protected waters.
Hurawalhi Island Resort
Lhaviyani Atoll · seaplane, 40 minutes
One of the world's largest known populations of reef manta rays, studied by the resort's own Hurawalhi Marine Biology Centre.
Huvafen Fushi
North Malé Atoll · speedboat, 30 minutes
Whale shark excursion and manta snorkelling offered among the resort's 'Purposeful Immersions' activities.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Raa Atoll · seaplane, 35 minutes
Guests can name and track new mantas via a Manta Trust programme; mantas frequent the house reef December–April.
JA Manafaru
Haa Alifu Atoll · seaplane, 70-90 minutes
Seasonal manta ray diving and snorkelling excursions run roughly November-April, centred on the named Manta Point site (Vagaaru Garden).
JOALI Maldives
Raa Atoll · seaplane, 45 minutes
Manta ray and whale encounters among the excursions programme.
Joy Island Resort Maldives by Cocoon
North Malé Atoll · speedboat, 40-45 minutes
Manta Trip and Hanifaru Bay Trip excursions.
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island
Lhaviyani Atoll · seaplane, 40 minutes
Manta Trust-affiliated manta-ray and turtle excursions by private speedboat, led by the resident marine biologist.
LUX* South Ari Atoll
South Ari Atoll · seaplane, 25 minutes
Year-round whale shark watching runs from the resort's South Ari Atoll location, alongside fee-based whale shark safaris.
The Nautilus Maldives
Baa Atoll · seaplane, 30 minutes
Hanifaru Bay (UNESCO Biosphere) access for whale shark and manta ray encounters, plus dedicated manta ray excursions.
NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort
South Ari Atoll · seaplane, 25 minutes
South Ari Atoll is one of the only places on Earth with year-round whale shark sightings (peak Aug–Nov); manta rays peak Sep–May
Radisson Blu Resort Maldives
South Ari Atoll · seaplane, confirmed at booking
Renowned for whale shark and manta ray encounters year-round off Huruelhi Island, South Ari Atoll.
Soneva Secret
Makunudhoo Atoll · seaplane, 55 minutes
Manta ray encounters run in season, typically June-November.
The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives
Raa Atoll · seaplane, confirmed at booking
Seasonal excursions to Hanifaru Bay for swimming with manta rays
Vilamendhoo Maldives Resort Island
South Ari Atoll · seaplane, 25 minutes
Guided excursions include whale shark, manta ray and turtle trips.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
Baa Atoll · seaplane or domestic flight + speedboat, 30 min seaplane / 25 min flight + boat
Baa Atoll/Hanifaru Bay manta ray viewing, about 18 km from the resort.
Also offered at
Before you book
When is manta ray and whale shark season in the Maldives?
It depends which atoll you're in. Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay runs on a seasonal cycle — manta rays roughly May to November, whale sharks concentrated August to November. South Ari Atoll works differently: whale sharks are sighted there year-round, peaking August to November, while manta ray activity is strongest September to May. Tell us your travel dates and we'll point you to the atoll that's actually in season.
Which Maldives resorts are best for manta ray and whale shark encounters?
It comes down to which of the two hotspots a resort sits closest to. On Baa Atoll, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru runs its own Manta Ray Project with resident marine biologists. On South Ari Atoll, Constance Moofushi runs a dedicated Whale Shark Snorkelling Adventure to Maamigili Kandu, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah sits within a Marine Protected Area in the same atoll, where sightings run year-round. See the full roster below for what's confirmed at each resort we work with.
Is a manta ray or whale shark sighting guaranteed?
No — these are wild, free-ranging animals, not a staged encounter, which is why resorts describe the excursion as a "safari" or "adventure" rather than a promise. Timing your stay to the right season for the right atoll is the single biggest factor in whether you see one, more than which resort you pick.
How do I book a manta ray or whale shark excursion?
These run as guided speedboat excursions arranged through the resort's dive or watersports desk once you're on the island, usually as a shared group trip. Flag the interest with us during your consultation and we'll factor season and atoll into which resort we recommend, since not every property sits close to a hotspot.
Tell us the occasion, and we’ll find the island.
Thirty minutes on dates, occasion and which island actually suits you: no obligation, no scripted pitch.