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Meaningful manta moments at Four Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2021

Since 2005, the Maldives reef manta ray population in Baa Atoll has been continuously studied by the Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP) – The Manta Trust’s founding project, based at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.

As 2021’s manta season approaches, guests at Landaa will once again be in prime position to swim with and study the world’s largest recorded population of mantas alongside the experts responsible for identifying them.

“We know that the more people are aware of manta rays and their environment the more they’re going to want to protect them,” comments Beth Faulkner of the Maldivian Manta Ray Project.

“Swimming with manta rays is an incredible experience because they’re so intelligent and curious – once you’ve met a manta ray, there’s no way you couldn’t care about them. Yet it’s also essential to develop our understanding of their behaviour in the absence of humans, which is why our research involves both observed and remote underwater video surveys.”

The MMRP recorded an estimated 4,625 sightings of reef manta rays between August 15 and November 30, 2020.

Despite a three-month delay to the season’s operations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 sightings were four percent higher than 2019, and the third highest since records began.

November 2020 also brought a major milestone: the identification of the 5000th unique reef manta in the Maldives.

As well as collecting manta ID photos during 2020, MMRP deployed 101 remote underwater video (RUV) systems across seven manta cleaning sites, using novel underwater time-lapse cameras as part of its Eyes on the Reef Project.

It also contributed manta measurements and ultrasound scans to an ongoing PhD project at Cambridge University; submitted data on 12 whale shark sightings to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP); and delivered its immersive Maldives Marine Education Programme “Moodhu Madharusaa” to local students.

Drawing on well over a decade of research and analysis, the MMRP team has also released its annual “hot dates” for 2021: periods between June and November when mantas are most likely to be seen in large numbers in the waters close to Landaa Giraavaru.

With wingspans up to seven metres (23 feet), speeds of up to 24 kilometres (15 miles) per hour, and cognitive function on a par with dolphins, manta rays are some of the most impressive creatures in the ocean.

Classed as “vulnerable” on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Beth and The Manta Trust team know that by connecting people to mantas, the mantas’ chances of survival will increase.

In addition to the importance of scientific research, the theme of conservation through connection underpinned the team’s recent appearance on CNN.

As part of the inspiring Call to Earth series, Beth outlined how The Manta Trust’s “ultimate purpose is to get manta rays protected worldwide and also to protect the habitat they need to survive.”

Meaningful manta moments at Landaa Giraavaru

Guests at Landaa Giraavaru are able to take advantage of the resort’s Manta-on-Call service, which works with the research boat to notify guests when mantas are sighted, whisking them away by speedboat for a snorkelling experience like no other.

2021 Manta Hot Dates, as identified by MMRP include:

June 8-12
June 22-26
July 8-12
July 22-26
August 6-10
August 20 – 24
September 5-9
September 19-23
October 4-8
October 18-22
November 3-7
November 17-21

Note: Manta ray sightings are subject to weather conditions and the temperament of these gentle oceanic giants.

To book a stay at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru and swim alongside manta rays this season, click here, email reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call the Central Reservations department at tel: (960) 6600888.

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort launches ‘Swim with Nurse Sharks’ experience

Published

1 day ago

February 9, 2026

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Nestled in the pristine waters of the Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort introduces Swim with Nurse Sharks, a new guided marine experience offering guests a rare opportunity to encounter these gentle creatures in their natural lagoon habitat.

Located just minutes from the island, the calm, shallow waters provide ideal conditions for observing nurse sharks at rest and in motion. The one-hour experience operates three times a week by speedboat and is designed for small groups, making it suitable for families and confident swimmers seeking a meaningful connection with the ocean.

Guided with care and respect for the environment, the experience reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to marine awareness and responsible interaction with wildlife. Guests gain insight into the behaviour of nurse sharks while exploring one of the region’s few accessible snorkelling sites dedicated to this species.

Available at USD 95++ per person, with special rates for children under 12, Swim with Nurse Sharks adds a distinctive new chapter to the resort’s immersive ocean experiences.

For more information on “Swim with Nurse Sharks” at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, please visit the resort’s website.

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Avani+ Fares Maldives to host Michael Owen’s football camp for second year

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1 day ago

February 9, 2026

m@ldives

Michael Owen’s Football Camp is returning to Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort for a second year, running from 31 March to 3 April 2026 as part of the resort’s Easter holiday programme. Following a strong debut in 2025, the camp will once again see children and teens join the former England striker for hands-on coaching sessions on Fares Island in Baa Atoll.

Designed for kids and teens aged 5 to 13, the four-day camp combines daily training sessions, skills development and team challenges, led by Michael Owen. The programme ends on a high with a celebratory finale, with certificates, medals and jersey signings for every participant. The camp is complimentary for all guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event, and each registered participant will receive an official Football Kit, including two sets of customised jerseys, shorts and socks.

Building on the strong response from families last year, the 2026 Football Camp sits within Avani+ Fares Maldives’ broader Easter line-up, pairing structured sports sessions with relaxed island time. Beyond the pitch, younger guests can dip in and out of island adventures at AvaniKids and the Teens Club, with creative arts and crafts and dedicated spaces designed around their age group. Mealtimes are part of the fun too, with Petit Bistro, the resort’s kids-only restaurant, created just for younger guests.

For families keen to get out on the water together, Avani+ Fares Maldives is set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with snorkelling along the house reef right off the island and a full menu of water sports and dive experiences at this award-winning dive resort.

Commenting on the upcoming camp, Michael Owen said: “Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp. It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”

Avani+ Fares Maldives is designed with families in mind, with a wide mix of accommodation styles to suit different group sizes and travel plans. Options range from interconnecting Pavilion rooms for easy togetherness, to Beach Pool Villas with outdoor space for daytime downtime, alongside over water villas set above the lagoon. For families travelling as a bigger group, the resort also offers spacious two and three bedroom Over Water Pool Residences, with generous living areas and room to spread out between activities.

Package rates start from USD 3,500 for a family of four, including accommodation, seaplane transfers and football camp registration. Based on two adults and two children sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, includes taxes and fees. To book, visit www.avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives, email fares@avanihotels.com or call  +960 660 1660.

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Simply summer at Milaidhoo: Invitation to slow living in the Baa Atoll

Published

7 days ago

February 4, 2026

m@ldives

In a destination often defined by excess, Milaidhoo Maldives offers a different summer narrative: one of restraint, rhythm and rare stillness. Introducing Simply Summer, a seasonal escape that celebrates the art of slowing down within the UNESCO-protected waters of the Baa Atoll.

An intimate island sanctuary, Milaidhoo is designed for travellers who value time as the ultimate luxury. Days unfold unhurriedly, beginning with relaxed oceanfront breakfasts and shaped entirely by choice, from sunrise yoga and snorkelling in pristine coral gardens to long, private hours spent within the calm of one’s villa. Evenings are defined by elegant à la carte dining, inspired by seasonal flavours and served with effortless grace.

The Simply Summer offer enhances this experience with considered privileges rather than excess. Guests are invited to explore the Maldives’ natural wonders through manta ray encounters in the legendary Hanifaru Bay, indulge in restorative rituals at the overwater Serenity Spa, or discover the atoll through curated island adventures, all with exclusive seasonal savings.

A chilled bottle of Ruinart Champagne awaiting guests in their villa sets the tone on arrival, while flexible early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) ensures that time is never hurried. Dining remains a central pleasure, with daily breakfast and à la carte dinners at Ocean Restaurant, complemented by generous dining credits across the island’s culinary venues.

Available for stays from 1st May to 31st October 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights, Simply Summer is an understated invitation to experience the Maldives at its most refined, quietly luxurious, deeply personal and guided by the gentle pace of island life.

Simply Summer – Key Inclusions: