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During peak feeding events, 50-200 mantas can gather in the small bay simultaneously — nowhere else on Earth matches this concentration.

Only snorkeling is permitted in Hanifaru Bay to minimize disturbance to the feeding mantas. Scuba is banned.

June to November during the SW monsoon when plankton accumulates in the bay. Peak is August-October.

Hanifaru Bay is strictly regulated as part of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Only snorkelling is permitted — scuba diving was banned to reduce bubble disturbance to the mantas. A maximum number of snorkellers are allowed in the water at any time, and trained guides must accompany each group. Visitors must maintain a minimum distance from the mantas and are prohibited from touching, chasing, or using flash photography. Entry fees support conservation efforts, and the ranger station at the bay entrance monitors compliance. These rules have been effective in protecting the aggregation while still allowing public access.

The manta feeding aggregations peak between June and November, coinciding with the southwest monsoon that drives plankton into the bay. The largest events, with over 100 mantas, typically occur during full and new moon tides in August and September when tidal forces concentrate plankton most intensely. However, aggregation size varies enormously from day to day depending on current, tide, and plankton density. Some days produce spectacular events with dozens of mantas; other days the bay may be empty. Resort dive operators monitor conditions daily and visit the bay when reports indicate manta activity.