It’s that time of year again when the seasonal plankton-rich currents in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve attract the world’s largest known population of manta rays for a feeding frenzy. And Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru – the birthplace of worldwide charity, The Manta Trust – is the best place to stay to experience this breathtaking phenomenon.
If last year’s manta ray season is anything to go by, an incredible treat awaits manta ray spotters. The Manta Trust, whose researchers run The Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP) at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, broke records in 2021 with the highest number of estimated sightings in a research season: 7,248 between May and November with September seeing 2,045 sightings alone, the first time that recorded estimated sightings have exceeded 2,000 in a single month in the Maldives. In addition, MMRP added 207 new mantas (those seen for the first time) to its database, taking the total recorded Maldivian mantas rays to an awe-inspiring 5,312: the world’s largest-known population.
“It’s an absolute privilege to share the wonder of these incredible creatures with guests at Landaa Giraavaru,” comments Beth Faulkner of the Maldivian Manta Ray Project. “Education is highly important to us. To meet a manta is life-changing and inspires a desire to take care of our ocean’s gentle giants – that’s our goal.”
Making the Most of Each Manta Moment
There are many more ways that guests can interact with mantas during their stay at Landaa Giraavaru. The Resort’s Manta-on-Call service supplies guests with a “manta phone” that rings when mantas are sighted nearby before a speedboat whisks them to the site for an incredible open-water snorkelling experience. Guests can also book private manta-spotting cruises and opt to spend time on The Manta Trust research boat: a full day at sea immersed in every facet of the research experience with the Manta Scientist for a Day activity.
It’s because of the in-depth research undertaken – including analysis of monsoon currents and other predicting factors – that MMRP is able to gain an insider’s perspective on mass aggregation dates. The result? hot dates for 2022 – August 25-29, September 8-12, September 24-28, October 8-1, October 23-27, November 6-10, and November 22-26 are the times when large groups of manta rays are most likely to be seen in the waters around Landaa Giraavaru. Note that manta ray sightings are subject to weather conditions and the temperament of these gentle giants.
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