Hanifaru Bay – Baa Atoll
Hanifaru Bay is a sanctuary for people who love snorkeling with manta rays and whale sharks. This UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Maldives is legally designated as a Marine Protected Area. There are strict regulations are in place to protect and preserve this amazing wonder.
The reef at Hanifaru Bay is like a funnel that is about 1300 meters, the inner narrow part of the funnel is about 600 meters and that is where whale sharks and mantas are found more common. The whale shark season is from May to December. In this period, planktons gets trapped in the funnel-like reef and concentration of planktons attracts whale sharks and schools of manta rays. At any time there could be over a hundred mantas and several whale sharks feeding off the coral reef. This is the world’s largest feeding station known to exist.
At Hanifaru Bay you can do snorkeling, diving is not permitted any more. During your snorkeling you must keep proper distance from whale sharks and manta rays, a radius of 3 meters from head section of whale shark and 4 meters at its tail is minimum distance you must maintain. You should not approach the creature from front or cross its path, stay at sides and swim with whale sharks. It is allowed to take pictures but without flash, you cannot use scooter or motorized devices to tow yourself. Touching, stroking or even getting that close is prohibited and there are trained rangers monitoring your moves.
Prior to implementing these regulations the place was overcrowded with boats and tourists. At some point whale sharks and manta population in Hanifaru Bay went to a drastic drop. The creatures might have been disturbed by human intervention. Hence, the regulations are important to keep this amazing wonder preserved.
1st Day
- Collection from the airport by MY Honors Legacy staff
- Short transfer to the boat by Diving Dhoni
- Meet the crew and welcome briefing
- Prepare Equipment
*Long evening crossing to Angafaru in Baa Atoll
2nd Day
Dive 1: Angafaru (Check Dive)
Dive 2: Nelivaru Thila
Dive 3: Dhigali Thila
Anchorage: Near Kihaadhoo (Baa Atoll)
3rd Day
Dive 1: Dharavandhoo Thila
Dive 2: Dhigu Thila
Snorkel at Hanifau bay
Anchorage: Near Veyofushi & Barbecue at Veyofushi island (Baa Atoll)
4th Day
Dive 1: Dhonfan thila
Dive 2: Goidhoo Kandu
*Navigate to Rasdhoo
Dive 3: Rashoo Madivaru
Anchorage: Near Rasdhoo (Ari Atoll)
5th Day
Dive 1: Rasdhoo madivaru Hammer Head Point – North Ari Atoll
Dive 2: Maya Thala – North Ari Atoll
Dive 3: Feshoo Wreck
Dive 4: Fesdhoo Lagoon (Manta night dive)
Anchorage: Fesdhoo Lagoon
6th Day
Dive 1: Fish Head
*Navigate to South Male Atoll
Dive 2: Guraidhoo Corner
Dive 3: Vilivaru Giri
Anchorage: Near Guraidhoo Giri (South Male Atoll)
7th Day
Dive 1: Medhu Faru
Dive 2: Kandooma Thila
*Navigate to Male’
Anchorage: Kurumba (North Male’ Atoll)
8th Day
Check Out in the Morning
Note: All these routes are weather permitting and subject to change due to weather or group requests.
PLEASE NOTE: From January 2012 scuba diving is not permitted in Hanifaru Bay, however you will be able to snorkel in this area for a $20 fee (per person for approx 45mins).