Best Manta Ray Viewing Dates in the Maldives, 2023

The Maldives is home to Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest groups of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean with significant biodiversity. And while weather-wise, peak season for the Maldives is the dry season of late December to April, the monsoon season of May-November has a significant highlight for Baa Atoll visitors: a higher chance of seeing manta rays as well as whale sharks, thanks to plankton-rich waters. In Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay, known for attracting manta rays, there were an estimated 5,016 manta sightings in 2022. Manta ray wingspans can be up to 15 feet and manta rays have the largest brain-to-size ratio of any cold-blooded fish, with a cognitive function on par with dolphins, primates and elephants.

These are the 2023 dates expected to be best for seeing manta rays:

May 17–21
June 2–6
June 16–20
July 1–05
July 15–19
July 30 – August 3
August 14–18
August 29 – September 2
September 13–17
September 27 – October 1
October 12–16
October 27–31
November 11–15
November 25–29

Where to Stay in Baa Atoll

One of our clients' favorite ways to have the chance to snorkel with manta rays is Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru‘s “Manta on Call” service, where guests are given a “manta phone” for the day. They can enjoy activities at the resort, and when mantas are sighted nearby, the phone rings, alerting them to come to a waiting speedboat that whisks them away for an unforgettable open water experience. TravelSort Clients enjoy Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits, and we can often provide exclusive additional resort credit offers.

For guests who prefer a smaller, more intimate island in Baa Atoll, we highly recommend The Nautilus Resort, home to just 26 stand alone villas, where breakfast can be enjoyed any time of day, and one restaurant's cuisine can be ordered at another's.