The gentle giants of Hanifaru Bay

Every year, a marine phenomenon occurs in the Maldives’ Hanifaru Bay. A local diving instructor talks about this congregation of manta rays and his underwater world. Words: Katie Lockhart

In the eastern edge of the northern Baa Atoll, lies Hanifaru Bay, a place where hundreds of manta rays congregate to gorge themselves in the plankton-rich waters. Owner of Ocean Fanatics, Mohamed Siraj Ahmed, locally known as ‘Sidey the Shark’, reveals what it’s like to be a dive instructor in the area and what visitors can expect when witnessing this ocean phenomenon.

WHAT MAKES THE MALDIVES SO UNIQUE FOR MARINE LIFE?

The crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean are home to a plethora of diverse sea life, from numerous corals to over 2,000 species of fish. The northern Baa Atoll is a particularly great example of this and was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2011.

WHAT HAPPENS AT HANIFARU BAY? Located in Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay is famous for being a nursery ground for grey sharks. However, from mid-May until the end of November, the reef acts like a funnel, filling up with plankton, attracting hundreds of manta rays to feed. When I first went, I couldn’t even count how many mantas there were. I was beside myself with excitement.

WHAT MAKES IT SO UNIQUE?

Manta rays usually feed in a calm, patterned behaviour, swimming close to the surface to funnel their food. However, due to the confined space and sheer numbers at Hanifaru Bay, this natural hierarchy breaks down, resulting in a disorganised, bumper carlike performance, where a feeding frenzy ensues. It’s a real sight to behold.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN TO PROTECT THE BAY?

It’s a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so they have rangers patrolling the bay. Diving is prohibited and only five boats are allowed at a time, each with 45 minutes inside. Every group must adhere to a strict speed limit and go with a certified guide who’s taken an exam.

ARE THERE ANY MARINE CONSERVATION INITIATIVES? Through photo identification, the Maldivian Manta Ray Project, organised by Manta Trust, has recorded over 1,800 individuals at this site during the last 15 years. If we find any mantas, we take pictures, pass the IDs to the team and they do all the tracking. These initiatives are vital in conserving the population.