Diving with Mantas at Hanifaru Bay Maldives
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Discover All About this Spectacular Dive Spot
This lens gives you the complete lowdown on Hanifaru Bay, a name that sends down chills along the spine of the global scuba diving community. At times, this little bay - not larger than a football field - attracts up to 200 manta rays and dozens of whale sharks at a time.
Ever since National Geographic ran spectacular pictures taken during a Manta ray feeding franzy Hanifaru - which we will explore in more detail later - this secluded corner of the Maldivian Baa Atoll is one of the world's most talked-about dive spots.
Since then, it has been declared a Protected Marine Area, which is great news because a site where scores of mantas AND whalesharks like to gather is obviously a tourist magnet - and it is important that such a natural world wonder is handled responsibly. More about that later.
This lens is officially dedicated to all the manta maniacs and lovers of the big blue - let us take you on a magnificent journey to amazing Hanifaru Bay. Enjoy!
Ever since National Geographic ran spectacular pictures taken during a Manta ray feeding franzy Hanifaru - which we will explore in more detail later - this secluded corner of the Maldivian Baa Atoll is one of the world's most talked-about dive spots.
Since then, it has been declared a Protected Marine Area, which is great news because a site where scores of mantas AND whalesharks like to gather is obviously a tourist magnet - and it is important that such a natural world wonder is handled responsibly. More about that later.
This lens is officially dedicated to all the manta maniacs and lovers of the big blue - let us take you on a magnificent journey to amazing Hanifaru Bay. Enjoy!
Where in the World is Hanifaru Bay?
Geographical Location
Hanifaru Bay is located in the remote northern Baa Atoll. To get there, travelers can either fly by water plane or get a boat transfer. Here is a map of the location: Hanifaru Aerial View
Courtesy of the Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project
Here is a great annotated aerial shot of Hanifaru, it shows how small the site is - not bigger than a football field. Imagine this teeming with up to 200 mantas and dozens of whalesharks - there is no other place in the world where these fascinating, endangered species gather in such great numbers.
How the Hanifaru frenzy Started...
The National Geographic Effect
The photos taken by Thomas Peschak at Hanifaru Bay in summer 2009 caused a storm. He traveled there during the Nortth-West Monsoon to witness the world's largest manta feeding frenzy. His images went around the world and made Hanifaru famous overnight.
To understand why, just look at these breathtaking images - presented by the photographer himself on this YouTube clip:
To understand why, just look at these breathtaking images - presented by the photographer himself on this YouTube clip:
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The Secret Life of Manta Rays
All you need to know about manta rays
The manta ray is one of the most popular animals to see while scuba diving, because of its enormous size and peacefulness. Throughout history, the manta ray has been revered by several cultures, including the Peruvians. More recently, a manta ray rollercoaster was opened at Sea World in Orlando along with exhibits depicting several other Ray species.
To find out all about manta ray habitat, behaviour, diet and their reproduction, click on the picture.
Getting Up Close and Personal
Whale sharks also congregate in Hanifaru
Hanifaru might be most famous for its mantas but in the right season, the bay is also a favourite whale shark hangout. The huge amounts of krill and plankton in the water during the South-West monsoon attract all kinds of pelagiacs and at this time it can happen that up to 200 mantas and dozens of whale sharks.
When this happens, these gentle giants are so busy feasting, they lose their natural shyness and allow divers to come up close. However, divers should NEVER touch mantas, whale sharks or in fact any underwater creatures!
Conservation at Hanifaru Bay - The Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project
Key Information about the Hanifaru Marine Protected Area
Hanifaru Area in B. Atoll is a marine protected area which was declared protected on the 6th of June 2009. Located 5o1044.43N 73o0843.07 E, covering an area of 303 hectors.
The southern section of the Hanifaru reef, adjacent to the Hanifaruhuraa sand bank during the south west monsoon is a feeding aggregation site for Whale sharks and Manta rays. These animals aggregate in this small channel region of this reef to consume zooplankton (e.g. copepods) that due to the ocean hydrodynamic conditions prevailing at this time entraps the zooplankton in huge densities in this location.
This area is biologically unique and critically important to the long term sustainable management of these mega fauna in Baa atoll, the Maldives and globally.
The Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project has this great video taken at Hanifaru - just watching it explains why it's so important to protect this site:
The southern section of the Hanifaru reef, adjacent to the Hanifaruhuraa sand bank during the south west monsoon is a feeding aggregation site for Whale sharks and Manta rays. These animals aggregate in this small channel region of this reef to consume zooplankton (e.g. copepods) that due to the ocean hydrodynamic conditions prevailing at this time entraps the zooplankton in huge densities in this location.
This area is biologically unique and critically important to the long term sustainable management of these mega fauna in Baa atoll, the Maldives and globally.
The Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project has this great video taken at Hanifaru - just watching it explains why it's so important to protect this site:
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Top Hanifaru Links
Our favourite resources on Hanifaru Bay, Maldives
Here we've collected the best links on Hanifaru Bay. If you know of any others, let us know - we'd be happy to add them.
- Hanifaru Diving Cruises 2011
- Yes, Maldives Dive Travel is offering a number of special cruises to Baa Atoll and Hanifaru Bay. Check out this year's dates and rates, the lowest you'll find anywhere on the net - guaranteed!
- The National Geographic's Hanifaru Slide Show
- Thomas Peschak's amazing images, beautifully presented in this National Geographic slide show.
- BBC report: Manta ray's secret life revealed
- Check out this in-depth BBC report about Hanifaru. Trust the Beep to cover this in great detail. A summary of scientific findinga about manta rays.
- Read up on our Hanifaru Posts
- We've been covering Hanifaru bay since last March, this link leads to an overview of all our coverage on this exciting subject.
- Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project (Maldives)
- Campaigning for the protection of the Maldivian coral reefs, responsible tourism and wildlife protection.
- Save Our Seas - Interview with head of their manta ray project Maldives
- The Save Our Seas Foundation has been instrumental in Hanifaru conservation and research efforts since day one - after all it was the pictures taken by their chief photographer Thomas Peschak that made Hanifaru famous.
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Thanks for stopping by - we hope you are enjoying this lens. It's a work in progress - our first Squidoo lens ever - and we will be adding more information as we go along. If you have any comments, suggestions or hellos to share, this is the place! We look forward to hearing from you.
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Oasis Holiday Maldives
Apr 10, 2012 @ 9:12 am | delete
- One of the best Dive spot in the Maldives. Those who want experience underwater, spend your diving holidays on Princess Ushwa Diving Safari.
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jack
Apr 6, 2012 @ 1:37 pm | delete
- costa rica surf hotels is best the hotel , you can go there also in holidays
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rajneesh11
Apr 27, 2011 @ 5:19 am | delete
- Maldives is a great travel destination and perhaps one of the best island vacations destination in India. You can enjoy the exclusive beaches and the varied luxury resorts in Maldives.Really we appreciated your great work on this amazing lens.I hope people ll know more about Maldives through this lens.
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by maldivesdiving
For over 15 years, we have been offering the best liveaboard diving holidays in the Maldives at discount prices - the lowest on the web, in fact. Guar... more »
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