As the summer draws to an end, the final days of Manta Season offer a rare chance to snorkel with majestic manta rays in the pristine waters of the Maldives. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, home to the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme, guests have the unique opportunity to swim alongside the largest documented manta ray assembly in the world. Beyond snorkelling, visitors can explore immersive manta experiences like the Trainee Marine Biologist Program, the Manta Hologram Room, and the new Manta Story App, deepening your connection to these incredible creatures while supporting conservation efforts.
Manta Ray Experience
Manta Season in the Maldives is a breathtaking phenomenon, where hundreds of reef manta rays gather in the plankton-rich waters of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. From May to November, these curious creatures perform an underwater ballet, captivating guests with their graceful movements. As the season extends into early December, visitors still have the chance to witness this natural wonder.
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure this Manta Season, where the resort’s exclusive Manta-on-Call service alerts guests with a “manta phone” the moment these graceful giants are spotted nearby. In an instant, you’ll be whisked away by speedboat for an exhilarating open-water experience, snorkelling alongside manta rays as they glide to the surface to feed.
Trainee Marine Biologist Program
Younger explorers can now dive into conservation with a series of Trainee Marine Biologist modules. This program offers young minds an exciting introduction to marine research in one of the world’s most vibrant oceanic environments. Aimed at aspiring marine biologists or those who are genuinely curious about ocean life aged 12 years and above, each one-to-one program combines hands-on activities with comprehensive take-home texts for a deep dive into what it takes to be a Coral Biologist, Dolphin Biologist, Turtle Biologist, Aquarist, Plankton Biologist, or Manta Biologist.
The Trainee Marine Biologist program is more than just an educational experience; it’s an adventure of a lifetime for young ocean enthusiasts. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with these magnificent creatures while learning about the vital work Manta Ray Biologists do to conserve and protect the local manta ray population. This module allows trainees to join the team’s research efforts, engaging in activities like photo identification, monitoring size, behavior, and even pregnancy.
Hologram Room
For guests who prefer to explore marine life from the shore, the resort offers The Maldives’ First Hologram Room based on real manta rays spotted in the surrounding waters. This unique experience allows you to virtually “swim” with manta rays, as well as other creatures such as the humpback whale, seahorse, and mimic octopus, all while staying dry. Featuring two daily sessions of 30 minutes, explore a life-size underwater wonderland with a dedicated wand to navigate this mesmerising virtual landscape.
The Manta Story App
The Manta Story app, created by Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru in partnership with The Manta Trust, takes users on an exciting virtual adventure into the world of manta rays. Through stunning VR experiences, users can explore their feeding, courtship, and even birth rituals, all based on real data from mantas in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With interactive features, quizzes, and opportunities to support manta conservation through donations or adoptions, this free app offers a captivating way to connect with these magnificent creatures and contribute to their protection.
Conservation Efforts
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has served as a dedicated hub for conservation under the Maldives Manta Conservation project (MMCP), the founding project of The Manta Trust, helping to identify the world’s largest known manta ray population and contributing valuable data to the worldwide preservation of the species. Additionally, its team of 15 marine biologists is working on several initiatives including Coral Reefscaping, Turtle Rehabilitation, Manta Ray Research, and Fish Breeding. Backed by innovative AI technology, the resort’s efforts have seen more than 250,000 fragments of coral transplanted onto 5,000 coral frames in the waters around Landaa allowing the surrounding marine landscape to thrive.
As a natural haven for both humans and the planet, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close with the majestic manta rays. With this year’s Manta Season extending until early December, there has never been a better time to cross swimming alongside these gentle giants off your bucket list. Secure your stay now by visiting https://www.fourseasons.com/maldiveslg/
