Known for its pristine waters, the Maldives is also renowned for its diverse marine life. Large marine creatures such as sharks, mantas, and dolphins are abundant, offering the opportunity for graceful swims alongside these sea creatures with proper preparation.
Among them, mantas are particularly striking and popular among tourists due to their majestic appearance. They are often featured in souvenirs, making them iconic to the Maldives. Experiencing the Maldives without encountering mantas would be incomplete.
However, finding mantas isn’t guaranteed everywhere in the Maldives without proper planning. It’s advisable to join tours organized by resort hotels or diving shops or hire local guides familiar with their habitats.
During my stay at the guesthouse “White Tern Maldives,” I was fortunate to be guided by the owner and swim alongside a group of mantas. Here’s a detailed account of that unforgettable experience!
The team at White Tern Maldives, known for their warm hospitality and service, comes highly recommended!
On the morning of the excursion, we checked sea conditions and manta sightings.
Like theprevious whaleshark trip, I relied on Harim and Hassan, the owners of the guesthouse on the island of Dhidhdhoo in the Ari Atoll. When booking accommodation, I expressed a desire to see various marine life, and they arranged daily snorkeling trips. While group tours organized by resorts are enjoyable, personalized snorkeling trips offer greater flexibility and the chance to bond with guides.
The weather was perfect for snorkeling from early morning.
We boarded a boat equipped for an optimal snorkeling day at a point known for its large marine life. Even in these well-known waters, it’s not guaranteed to always find the animals you seek, as they too move. Therefore, tour guides use the Telegram social app each morning to communicate with guides and divers from other resorts, sharing and checking information on where and when different marine species have been spotted.
Yesterday, we couldn’t find any mantas and had no choice but changing our plan to enjoying fishing instead
After missing out on mantas during a previous snorkeling attempt the day before, we embarked on a boat from Dhidhdhoo, hoping to spot them before our stay ended. En route, we unexpectedly encountered dolphins!
Harim and Hassan navigated the boat towards the reef where mantas were sighted. Soon, the boat abruptly stopped, and we found dolphins! Harim alerted us to their presence.
We quickly donned fins and masks, eager not to miss this unexpected opportunity with wild dolphins in the open sea. Though they swiftly departed upon noticing us, it was a thrilling encounter, reminding us of their cautious nature compared to aquarium dolphins.
After enjoying the unexpected dolphin encounter, we proceeded to the manta point.
The mantas came into view shortly after we arrived. The sight of the mantas slowly swimming through the blue sea was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter that cannot be experienced anywhere else!
Mantas are one of the largest marine creatures, reaching up to 8 meters in size. They are filter feeders, mainly eating plankton and small fish.
The graceful movements of these majestic creatures left a lasting impression on me, and I felt a deep sense of connection with nature.
Would you like to see the incredible manta rays in the Maldives?
If you are planning a trip to the Maldives, I highly recommend adding a manta snorkeling tour to your itinerary. The experience is truly unforgettable and will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime!
About White Tern Maldives:
White Tern Maldives is a guesthouse on the island of Dhidhdhoo in the Ari Atoll, offering personalized snorkeling tours and other activities. The owners, Harim and Hassan, are knowledgeable and passionate about the marine life in the area, making every trip unique and memorable.
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