The Season Of Giants

Between May and November, the Maldives turns into one of the world’s most reliable gathering points for manta rays and whale sharks.

The Maldives is home to the world's largest known manta ray feeding station, and a significant year-round population of whale sharks. The "season" refers to the period when predictable environmental conditions create massive aggregations of these animals, making them easy to observe.

When It Happens

The peak season runs from May to November, during the southwest monsoon. This is when ocean currents sweep vast quantities of plankton into atoll channels and bays, creating what scientists call a “plankton soup.” For mantas and whale sharks, it’s a feast. For travelers, it’s the perfect window to encounter hundreds of these gentle giants.

2025 Prime Dates:

• Full Moons: September 7th, October 7th

  
  
  
  

• New Moons: September 22nd, October 21st

  
  

  These lunar phases often bring the largest aggregations. In fact, sightings from May to July 2025 already recorded groups of 50–100+ mantas in Hanifaru Bay.

  
  

Where It Happens

The epicenter of this phenomenon is Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its unique funnel shape traps plankton, drawing mantas in from across the region. Meanwhile, South Ari Atoll’s Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) is the best location for spotting whale sharks—most often juvenile males that linger in the area year-round.

Why It Matters

Encounters like these are awe-inspiring, but they’re also carefully managed to ensure the animals’ protection. Hanifaru Bay is a strictly regulated Marine Protected Area:

• Snorkeling only (no diving).

  
  
  
  

• Maximum 45 visitors at a time.

  
  
  
  

• Guided sessions capped at 45 minutes.

  
  
  
  

• Entry fee ($20–30) supporting local conservation.

  
  

Similarly, new whale shark encounter rules in SAMPA (effective 2025) limit vessel speeds and require stricter operator registration, keeping both animals and guests safe.

Beyond the Spectacle

The Maldives is a biodiversity hotspot with over 1,100 fish species, 5 marine turtle species, and 21 types of whales and dolphins. Organizations like Manta Trust, the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), and the EPA of the Maldives play a vital role in research and conservation.

Add It to the Bucket List

The waters of the Maldives are once again set to unveil a scene of wonder, drawing travelers into the depths where awe takes over. To float in that clarity, surrounded by giants moving as though the ocean itself is breathing, is the kind of moment that lingers long after you’ve surfaced.