The luxurious InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau launches unique Manta Retreat in collaboration with the Manta Trust organisation.

Love mantas? InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has launched the first Manta Retreat of its kind this October in collaboration with the resort-based Manta Trust organisation. The programme enables guests to see manta rays in their natural habitat and aims to raise awareness about this highly intelligent species, which is under threat from overfishing.

The resort’s location within Raa Atoll, just a few boat miles away from Hanifaru Bay, is a known juvenile manta ray aggregation spot, where young manta rays spend their days in a sheltered area until they’re large enough to travel the atolls.

Participants will gain exclusive insights into the work of the Manta Trust and get close to these gentle giants. The retreat will take place over five days from 23-28 October and includes several snorkelling trips to search and identify the manta rays of the Maldives, plus workshops and talks on marine topics.

Jessica Haines, the resort-based Manta Trust Project Manager, will lead the retreat. She explains that participants will learn how to ID a manta ray and explore other marine life topics including coral propagation and turtles.

Dedicated dive spots in the area around the resort, meanwhile, enable divers to observe manta cleaning stations, where fish, sharks, and mantas gather to get a regular hygiene check.