Hanifaru Bay Manta Rays – Baa Atoll Liveaboards and Snorkelling
Hanifaru Bay is a small bay in Baa Atoll, in the north of the Maldives. From June to November, tides push plankton into the bay, and dozens of manta rays, sometimes more than a hundred, come in to feed. The bay is snorkel-only, so non-divers get the same encounter as divers. A liveaboard adds the manta cleaning stations of Baa Atoll on scuba.
Who Hanifaru Works For
Snorkellers
The bay is snorkel-only
Scuba Divers
Cleaning stations nearby
Non-Divers
Same mantas as divers
Photographers
Manta Fans
You Can See
Mantas, Rays and Reef Sharks
Feeding Mantas
Mantas loop through the plankton at the surface.
Cleaning Stations
Mantas hover while small fish clean them.
Eagle Rays
Often in the channels between atolls.
Reef Sharks
On the channel dives along the route.
Photos: Franziska Stier (eagle rays, reef shark)
Ready to meet the mantas?
Where You’ll Dive
Hanifaru and Baa Atoll Sites
Hanifaru Bay
The feeding bay. Rangers limit how many people are in the water and for how long, and there’s an entry fee.
Dhigu Thila
A manta cleaning station in Baa Atoll. Divers kneel on the sand and watch mantas being cleaned.
Nelivaru Thila
A reef pinnacle with another cleaning station, plus reef fish and turtles.
North Malé Channels
Channel dives on the way north, with grey reef sharks and eagle rays in the current.
Your boat times its visit to the bay with the tides, and the guide confirms each day.
Hot Picks
Liveaboards We Recommend for Hanifaru
White Pearl
Built in 2020, for 26 guests. Runs dedicated “Hanifaru Bay Manta Encounter” weeks from August to October.
View boat →
Seafari Explorer II
Built in 2024, for 28 guests. “Mantas – Hanifaru” weeks through August.
View boat →
Maldives Blue Force 3
Built in 2018, for 26 guests. Central Atolls & Hanifaru weeks, plus longer Hanifaru & Extended North trips in September.
View boat →Hanifaru & North or Hanifaru & Ari?
Hanifaru & North
A week focused on Baa Atoll and the northern atolls. More time for the bay and the cleaning stations.
Hanifaru & Ari
Some boats combine Baa Atoll with Ari Atoll, so one week can bring mantas and whale sharks. See our South Ari page.
Life Aboard
A Week in the Northern Atolls
Want a special offer for Hanifaru?
Message us directly — we’ll find a manta week that matches your dates and the moon.
Chat on WhatsAppGet Ready
Before You Book Your Hanifaru Trip
Maldives Liveaboard: Atolls, Channels and Currents
Read more →
Seasickness: What Actually Works
Read more →
Fuvahmulah: The Maldives’ Shark Island
Read more →Why BookDiveBoat for Hanifaru?
Not every Maldives liveaboard goes to Baa Atoll, and the best days at Hanifaru follow the tides. We check which boats run Hanifaru weeks on your dates and match the trip to your group, whether everyone dives or some only snorkel.
FAQ
Hanifaru Bay Manta Questions
When is manta season at Hanifaru Bay?
Can I scuba dive in Hanifaru Bay?
Do I need to be a diver to see the mantas?
What are the rules in the bay?
What’s the weather like from June to November?
How do I get there?
Book Your Hanifaru Manta Liveaboard
No card needed. Reply under 1 hour.
