7- Night Baa Atoll Manta Snorkeling Adventure

Meet with your Secret Paradise Tour Leader at Male International Airport. They will assist you with your public speedboat transfer to the local island of Kamadhoo in Baa Atoll. The speedboat operates every day and leaves Male in the morning and afternoon taking just over 2 hours to journey across the Indian Ocean to Kamadhoo. View the beauty of the many Maldives islands that pass you by, keeping your eyes open for dolphins. After checking in to your guesthouse it’s time to hit the beach for a sunset swim.

The Maldives is rich in marine life but unfortunately, our marine life is under threat because of activities carried out by us humans. Over a coffee your tour leader will highlight the harmful practices that are pushing the balance in the ecosystem, learn about coral reef rehabilitation projects by NGO Save the Beach and what we can do to limit our impact.

This morning, we explore Kamadhoo house reef, for your first underwater encounter! Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkeling and act as your ‘spotter’ pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. They will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water

As the afternoon cools down accompanied by your tour leader time is spent exploring Kamadhoo offering an authentic glimpse into daily island life as it unfolds. You’ll gain insights into the local way of life, passing by the island’s essential infrastructure, such as the mosque, school, medical centre, and police station, which all play a vital role in Maldivian island communities. Discover local fruit trees as you wander the narrow maze of sandy roads. Finally, stop by a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedika’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea.

This evening, your Tour Leader will introduce you to the work of the Olive Ridley project. Providing an insight into their environmental monitoring and turtle studies preparing you for turtle encounters! Be sure to have your underwater camera with you when snorkeling to capture images which will be shared with Olive Ridley data base.

We depart by boat for another underwater encounter. Discover coral reefs that are teeming with fish and marine-life. Keep your eyes open for turtles and sharks. Should we be fortunate enough to spot turtles, we will follow the code of conduct, ensuring a responsible and respectful snorkeling interaction, while capturing identification images which we will share with Olive Ridley Project.

The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Ready for relaxation you can choose to head to the bikini beach or for the more energetic join your tour leader for another snorkeling opportunity on the house reef of Kamadhoo.

This evening your Tour Leader will introduce you to the work of the Manta Trust. Providing an insight into their environmental monitoring, manta ray studies and how to have a positive encounter.

Today, following an early breakfast we transfer to Maalhos. Our time here will be focused on snorkeling Hanifaru Bay and Dhonfanu. While both manta rays and whale sharks can be encountered within Hanifaru Bay, they are not just limited to this location and we may encounter them at locations throughout Baa Atoll. As marine life in their natural habitat it would be wrong of us to provide a 100% encounter guarantee, but you never know what you may see out in the blue, so always be on the lookout!

Access to Hanifaru Bay is managed by Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office in Eydhafushi. Permits are issued on a daily basis and access is granted to local islands on alternate days. In order to guide guests snorkeling within the UNESCO protected Hanifaru Bay area, the guide needs to be a Marine Park Ranger or a registered Hanifaru Bay guide, having completed a guiding course operated by Environmental Protection Agency.

It is our goal to maximize the chances of marine life encounters and in order to do that, we will adapt the itinerary during our stay in Maalhos to take into account conditions, weather forecasts and presence of marine life.

Every day will provide the chance to explore Maalhos’ house reef with your tour leader. Our first exploration will be this morning, we may encounter large shoals of reef fish including blue stripe snapper, red tooth triggerfish, banner fish and butterfly fish. Keep your eyes peeled as parrotfish, goatfish, sweetlips, and elusive moray eels dart between corals and don’t be surprised if a curious turtle glides by.

Late afternoon we explore the island with your tour leader; we may encounter local ladies preparing palm fronds for weaving or skillfully plucking moringa leaves from their stems preparing them to add them to a Maldivian dish. Stop for a refreshing drink at a local café before relaxing by the ocean listening to the gentle lap of the waves on the shore as the sun sets on the horizon.

Following dinner your tour leader will introduce you to the work of the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program. Gain an insight into their environmental monitoring and whale shark studies, preparing for our potential whale shark encounters in and around Hanifaru bay.

Today, we venture into the heart of Baa Atoll’s marine wonder—Hanifaru Bay. Recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this protected site comes alive between May and November, when plankton blooms attract large numbers of reef manta rays and, potentially, whale sharks. Snorkeling here offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness these gentle giants gliding gracefully through the water in a natural feeding frenzy. It’s important to note that manta ray numbers in the bay can fluctuate from day to day, with the highest concentrations often occurring around the full moon and new moon phases, when tidal currents bring in the richest plankton. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll explore this unique marine hotspot while following strict guidelines to ensure the protection of this fragile ecosystem.
Be sure to have your underwater camera with you when snorkeling to capture images which will be shared with Manta Trust data base.

Late afternoon head out for sunset kayaking. Kayak through the beautiful lagoon whilst enjoying the wonderful colours as the sun sets in the ocean. As we navigate through the calm waters, be sure to remain attentive, as you never know, we may be joined by the presence of a graceful eagle ray or a mesmerizing shark gliding by beneath us.

This morning, we explore the reef off Dhonfanu island, a site known for whale shark sightings during the migration season. With its close proximity to the key feeding grounds in Baa Atoll, Dhonfanu often provides an opportunity to spot these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Unlike the concentrated activity within Hanifaru Bay, snorkeling around Dhonfanu offers a more open-water experience. While sightings can never be guaranteed, the possibility of encountering the ocean’s largest fish adds a sense of anticipation to today’s adventure. Keep your eyes wide and your camera ready, you never know what might glide into view.

Today offers a second opportunity to snorkel in the world-renowned Hanifaru Bay, giving you another chance to witness this incredible natural spectacle. Each visit to the bay is unique—conditions, visibility, and marine life activity can vary, making every experience different. With luck on our side, we may encounter even greater numbers of manta rays drawn in by shifting tides and plankton flows. Returning to the bay not only increases your chances of observing these majestic creatures up close, but also deepens your understanding and appreciation of this remarkable marine ecosystem.

As the afternoon cools down there is the option to spend time on the beach, giving back to the community that has welcomed us by supporting a beach clean. Our reward will be a refreshing fresh Kurumba (coconut water) followed by an ocean swim!

Following an early breakfast we join the public speedboat for the return journey to Male.