Manta Rays and Hanifaru Bay: Season, Fee and Rules for Couples (2026)
Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll is the Maldives manta hotspot. Sources put the season at May to November. Fee and rules below, with where they disagree.
Quick answer: Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll is the Maldives' best-known manta ray site. Most sources put the season at May to November, with the biggest gatherings in July to October. Access needs a permit through a licensed operator or resort. One factsheet lists a US$20 fee, but another 2026 guide quotes more, so confirm the current price. The Flight Finder's priced months start in November, so a manta trip may need dates outside our fare grid.
What do sources say?
| Question | Sources |
|---|---|
| Season | Mostly May to November, driven by the southwest monsoon (Maldives Magazine guide) |
| Peak | July to October in several guides; August to October in one |
| Fee | US$20 per the CMS factsheet, revenue to the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund; one 2026 guide gives US$30 to 50 |
| Rules | Snorkelling only (no scuba), a time limit per group, and about 3 metres from mantas. This detail comes from one source, so confirm it |
| Access | By permit, arranged through a licensed operator or resort |
What about the weather in manta season?
May to October is the wetter season, and resort rates are lower than in the dry months. The trade-off is rain and rougher seas. See Maldives trip cost from India for the seasonal price pattern.
How should a couple plan around Hanifaru Bay?
- Pick a Baa Atoll resort. The bay is reached from there.
- Pick May to November, with July to October the safest for numbers.
- Check flights outside our grid. The Flight Finder prices November to March today. For May to October, send us your city on WhatsApp and we will price it by hand.
- Plan the transfer. Baa Atoll resorts are usually a seaplane away; see what to expect on a seaplane.
Can I see mantas in the dry season?
Mantas can be seen at other sites, but the dense Hanifaru gatherings are tied to the monsoon months in the sources above.
Is Hanifaru Bay open every day?
One 2026 guide says access was under discussion for limits, and we could not confirm whether any took effect. Ask your resort for current rules before you build a trip around it.
Plan this with Trripah
Send your city, dates and budget on WhatsApp or the trip planner. Trripah prices the flight, the resort, the transfer and your excursions together. Check fares first on the Flight Finder.
*Facts and prices here come from the operator, resort and travel-guide pages linked above, read on 3 November 2026. Many are promotional or undated and some disagree, so confirm the current figure with your resort or operator before you book.*
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