Four Seasons Resorts Maldives has announced this year’s Manta Trust Expeditions, a thrilling seven nights tour in the company of some of the world’s leading manta ray scientists.

The annual Manta Trust Expeditions offer two unique opportunities to cruise the Maldivian atolls onboard the luxury cruiser Four Seasons Explorer in the name of manta ray research. This year, the Expeditions will take place from August 17 to 24 and August 31 to September 7, reflecting mantas’ peak sighting predictions based on the southwest current movements of plankton through the Baa and Ari atolls.

According to Four Seasons, Guy Stevens, manta expert and founder of world’s leading manta ray charity The Manta Trust, will join the expeditions designed to immerse guests in every fascinating aspect of the Trust’s research and conservation efforts — from learning how to free dive and take ID photos, to helping record critical environmental information, contributing to data collection and even naming any mantas new to the Trust’s database.

“The Four Seasons Explorer trip is a real highlight of the Manta Trust calendar,” Guy was quoted as saying in an announcement made by Four Seasons.

“The Maldivian waters are not only home to the world’s largest known population of manta rays but are often visited by whale sharks as well. And because both creatures feed at the ocean’s surface, it’s possible to get front row seats to the spectacle as a snorkeler, opening the experience to guests of all ages and water-confidence. If previous years are anything to go by, we can’t wait to see what this year’s expeditions bring.”

Meanwhile, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has introduced a four-night Manta Watch package, offering guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from June to October to get up close and personal with majestic manta rays and the world’s biggest fish, the whale sharks.

Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.

Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. It features 96 thatched beach and water accommodations constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.

The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two properties via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.

The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll opened in December as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to the guests.