Where to Stay to See Manta Rays in the Maldives

I lived and worked in Baa Atoll, one of the best places in the Maldives to see manta rays.

I’ve personally stayed at all the places below and given an overview for what you can expect, facilities, price range and how to get there. All of these places include ethical snorkel trips to Hanifaru Bay to see the mantas with certified guides.

The Maldives is known as an expensive, luxury destination (and it can be) but it doesn’t have to be! So I’ve included options for where to stay to see mantas on a budget as well as the high end resort (one of them is where I used to work!).

What You Need to Know Before Booking

• The best seasons for mantas in Hanifaru Bay is monsoon season between May and October
• You can snorkel with reef mantas in Hanifaru Bay as an organised ethical boat trip
• Maldives resorts mean that the whole island is a resort
• Local islands mean Maldivians live there and you must follow Islamic laws
• Baa atoll is far from Male international airport so will require a sea plane or domestic flight (there are occasional boat options but will take many hours and can be choppy – I did it once and never again!)

Luxury Resorts Near Hanifaru Bay

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru Maldives is one of the top resorts in the Maldives and I actually used to work there! Manta Trust in Baa Atoll has a base within Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru and therefore you will have a manta marine biologist (who are awesome!) with you during your manta snorkel trip.

Aside from that, FS Landaa has huge, beautifully done rooms, all with private pools, the famous over the water bungalows, lovely staff (I’m still friends with many of them!) and delicious food in their restaurants. The white sand beaches are stunning and not only can you see mantas, but a chance for whale sharks, frequent dolphin sightings and regular snorkels with turtles.

In the marine centre they often have rescue turtles and have ongoing conservation projects for coral restoration as well as ‘nemo’ and seahorse projects! They do fantastic work there!

If you want 5 star luxury with a marine conservation focus, then this is it. The resort even run manta-on-call trips so guests get given a phone and when the marine biologists out on the boat spot mantas, you get a call and hurry to the boat to be taken to see them!

Best for Luxury Splurge:

• high end luxury
• in house marine conservation team
• ideal for honeymooners
• overwater bungalows
• private pools
• room cost from $2000+ per night
• seaplane ride – take a seaplane from Male airport to get here

Other top luxury resorts in Baa atoll to check out are Soneva Fushi which I used to go past on the boat and the luxury rooms have slides!

Mid Range Resorts in Baa Atoll

If you still want a resort island (see here for the differences between resorts and local islands in the Maldives) but don’t have the big budget for Four Seasons then I strongly recommend you check out Kihaa Resort.

I have stayed here several times (luckily with a work permit discount) and always had a fantastic time.

They also offer manta ray tours with a qualified guide, have lovely white sand beaches and some fantastic snorkelling just on their house reef.

Kihaa is way more affordable than Four Seasons and still has everything you would expect from a luxury resort in the Maldives. Look at prices and more photos here or you can find my full resort review here.

Best for midrange resort

• Spacious rooms
• Lovely beach
• Affordable restaurants
• Package options
• Lovely house reef snorkelling
• Rooms cost approximately $300+ a night

Budget Local Islands for Manta Sightings

For budget local islands you can head to Dharavandoo. This is the best island because it has the domestic airport on it so you wouldn’t need to take another boat to get there which keeps your cost low as well.

Kamadhoo is another small and cute island where I used to visit often from Four Seasons. As always, remember that the local islands have different rules and laws to resort islands. I have all your FAQs about local islands answered here.

Note I haven’t stay overnight on these islands but I have visited multiple times.

Best for budget travellers:

• authentic Maldivian experience
• experiencing Maldivian cuisine
• see different ways of life
• connect with local people
• affordable accommodation
• some may have ‘bikini beaches’ check with hotel first
• rooms from $50+ per night

My Honest Recommendations Based on Your Travel Style

• 💰 Budget backpacker: Dharavandhoo
• 🏝 Romantic mid-range: Kihaa
• 👑 Luxury & learning: Four Seasons

Booking Tips and FAQs

All the manta tours are going to be a similar experience of being taken by boat to Hanifaru Bay with a certified manta guide. You get 45 mins in the ocean to experience these incredible gentle giants! I recommend booking your accommodation in advance but it is low season across the Maldives so generally shouldn’t be too busy! It was always our quiet season at Four Seasons.

More on Swimming with Mantas? Read This First

Ethical marine tourism truly makes a difference. By choosing to visit the Maldives for manta encounters, you’re directly supporting conservation efforts and helping ensure these gentle giants remain protected for future generations. The Maldivian government protects these amazing creatures which means there are no manta fisheries in the Maldives (unlike some other countries) so it really does help!

For more about the reef mantas vs oceanic mantas read my post here.

For what to expect on your manta snorkel, check out this post. I’ve been so many times and taken my parents and sister on this trip too!

More Maldives Travel Resources

• Everything you need to know about the Maldives & FAQs
• Kihaa Resort Review
• Best Scuba Diving spots in the Maldives
• Where to swim with manta rays
• Where to stay to see mantas in Hanifaru Bay
• Maldives packing list
• What to expect on local islands in the Maldives
• Best Island for Scuba Diving
• One Week Maldives Itinerary
• Thoddoo Island – beaches and turtles
• Tiny Dhiffushi Island
• Thulusdhoo – surfing & infinity pool
• Gulhi – best bikini beach
• Maafushi – island close to Male