The Maldives boasts an abundance of manta ray aggregation areas, of which many receive official protection in the form of marine protected areas. The MMCP has worked closely with the Maldives Government and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify and designate protection for the following sites.

HANIFARU, BAA ATOLL

Hanifaru, which encompasses Hanifaru Bay, is one of the best locations in the world to swim with manta rays and is famous for its mass manta ray aggregations! Hanifaru Bay is situated within a marine protected area (MPA) on the eastern edge of Baa Atoll in the central atolls of the Maldives. Hanifaru in the local Dhivehi language translates to narrow ‘Hani’ reef ‘faru’.

Hanifaru Bay is a key aggregation site for reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi), which frequent this site primarily to feed, however, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) have also been observed feeding here. Through photo identification, the MMCP has recorded over 1,800 individuals at this site during the last 18 years of research! This is also one of the few places in the world to witness manta rays cyclone feeding, with up to 247 individuals being recorded during one of these mass-feeding events.

Due to the unique structure of the bay’s outer reef, each year from May to December during the Southwest (SW) Monsoon (Hulhangu – local Dhivehi name), mass aggregations of feeding manta rays frequently occur inside the bay. Strong lunar tides overcome the force of the prevailing monsoonal current, sucking plankton-rich water from ocean depths outside the atoll back into the shallow atoll channels. In the channel next to Hanifaru Bay, these currents form a back eddy or reverse current, that traps and concentrates plankton in the shallow bay.

With the implementation of the Maldives Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) management plan in 2012, sustainable tourism practices and strict regulations are continuously being enforced within Hanifaru MPA. These include but are not limited to; tourist and boat limits, SCUBA and fishing bans, scheduled alternation of entrance days between liveaboards and resort boats, speed limits, and specified use of entrance and exit routes. EPA Biosphere Reserve rangers are based on-site to maintain the rules and regulations of the MPA. Such regulations and management initiatives are vital to ensure the efficacy of Hanifaru Bay in conserving the Maldives manta ray population, by minimising the harmful ramifications arising from human-manta ray interactions.

ANGAFARU, BAA ATOLL

This large oval-shaped reef (Anga = mouth in Dhivehi) contains several manta ray aggregation sites. The main one is Dhigu Thila, which is a cleaning station for adult reef manta rays during the SW Monsoon. Feeding also regularly occurs at this site, as well as inside Angafaru Falhu and on top of Dhonfanu Thila. Due to its proximity to Hanifaru, mass feeding is often also seen at Angafaru.

VAVVARU, LHAVIYANI ATOLL

Reef manta rays (primarily juveniles) feed around the channels and inner reefs of Vavvaru marine protected area, primarily at a site called Dhanifaru during the Northeast Monsoon. Vavvaru also boasts a cleaning station at this site called Thin' Gaa. Rare creatures such as the hammerhead shark have been seen to frequent the outer reef. With it’s unique topography and multiple site functions, it’s no wonder this area is such a megafauna hotspot!

FUSHIFARU, LHAVIYANI ATOLL

Reef manta rays (adults and juveniles) feed in Fushifaru Kandu (channel) for several months each year towards the end of the SW Monsoon. Inside the channel, there are many ‘Thilas’ (submerged pinnacles), of which one is a renowned manta ray cleaning station named Fushifaru Thila.

RASFARI, NORTH MALE ATOLL

Reef manta rays (adults) frequent a shallow cleaning station on the outer reef crest at the northern end of the protected area (Rasfari Uthuru) during the Northeast Monsoon, between December to April. In the northern channel within the protected area there is also another less frequented cleaning station on Boduhithi Thila, where mass surface feeding events occur.

GURAIDHOO, SOUTH MALE ATOLL

Juvenile reef manta rays feed in the sheltered lagoon (Guraidhoo Falhu - also known as Sand Dunes) during the Southwest Monsoon, between May to November. There is also a cleaning station within the lagoon (known as Banana Reef).

RANGALI KANDU, ARI ATOLL

Within the Kandu (channel) is the famous Rangali Madivaru Cleaning Station. Adult reef manta rays frequent this site during the Northeast Monsoon, between December to April. With an abundance of healthy corals, this is a particularly favoured spot for divers. There is occasionally surface feeding seen at this site as well.

FUSHI KANDU, LAAMU ATOLL

Reef manta rays (both adult and juvenile) visit a cleaning station in Fushi Kandu for several months each year during the Southwest Monsoon. Surface feeding is also sometimes recorded at this site, which is often seen by surfers that ride the waves on the channel corner. Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling fish are regulars to this abundant site.

FARIKEDE, FUVAHMULAH ATOLL

Adult oceanic manta rays pass through this reef plateau for just a few weeks each year during the Northeast Monsoon, with peaks in sightings during March and April. No feeding or cleaning has been observed, so it seems that these rare and unique animals appear to be migrating through the area.

MAA KANDU, ADDU ATOLL

Within the kandu (channel) is the famous Mudakan Manta Point Cleaning Station.  Adult and juvenile reef manta rays use this site year-round. The manta rays frequenting this site are particularly friendly with divers and love to hover above the bubbles to receive a ‘bubble massage’. No feeding has been observed at this site.