Sometime you need to book well ahead for the special trips and enjoy the sense of anticipation, which is what Manta Expeditions is asking of big ray enthusiasts with its projected fortnight-long “Manta Passion” trip around the Maldives, set for 14-28 September 2025.
Timed to coincide with prime monsoon winds and lunar currents, which strongly influence the movements and feeding habits of reef mantas, the research expedition will be guided by experts from British-based charity the Manta Trust.
The trip differs from other Manta Expeditions outings in that although it is lengthy the aim is to dive almost exclusively with mantas, carrying out extensive surveys on both cleaning and feeding sites, seeking new aggregation sites and undertaking more in-depth research activities.
Concentration on mantas does not preclude whale sharks or other attractions wandering onto the scene, of course.
Guests will be encouraged to get involved in both the surface and in-water research, which includes taking wingspan measurements, ultrasound scanning of rays for pregnancies and photo-identification of individuals.
Baa Atoll is off the main route for many dive liveaboards but the plan is to venture into this more northern atoll for a few days to visit Hanifaru Bay, as well as heading further north into Raa and Noonu Atolls.
Ari Atoll hosts the country’s second-largest manta population, providing opportunities of finding both feeding and cleaning aggregations and of swimming with mantas feeding at night in one of the local lagoons. The hope is to visit both familiar and new cleaning stations and feeding sites, says the operator.
The specialists will deliver daily presentations, and leading them will be Niv Froman, Manta Expeditions’ manager and Manta Trust’s PhD researcher in manta reproductive ecology.
The expedition takes place on the 33m Conte Max, with its eight en suite cabins, and diving from an accompanying dhoni. The price is US $3,650pp, including transfers from Malé airport, full board, three dives or snorkelling excursions a day and nitrox.
Manta Expeditions is also now offering week-long Snorkelling Expeditions in the Maldives, with cruises limited to 10 guests, in partnership with Secret Paradise, the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme and the Manta Trust.
Immersion not only in seawater but Maldivian culture is promised, along with manta encounters and marine conservation insights. With departures on 17 August and 15 September this year and 18 August and 4 October in 2025, the price is $1,949pp. To book Manta Passion or Snorkelling Expeditions, email info@mantaexpeditions.com
Pullman Aqua Week
Meanwhile Aqua Week, seven days of ocean conservation and water-based activities, was held recently at the all-inclusive Pullman Maldives Maamutaa in the southern Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
One of the resort’s “pillar weeks”, the event was organised by staff at its PADI 5* Suvadiva Diving Centre and included an introduction to freediving, PADI AWARE and Dive Against Debris speciality courses and clean-up events. During the week Pullman Suvadiva was awarded the title of number 3 Maldives eco-centre by PADI EMEA staff in attendance.
A turtle presentation by the resident marine biologist was followed by three hours of snorkelling excursions with greens and hawksbills, including free underwater photography and editing tutorials, and free monofin mermaid pool sessions.
Also on Divernet: The woman who thinks like a manta, Where to find 22,300 giant mantas, Bali island could be manta nursery, Divers should beware cowboy manta guides
