Excursions
Manta season experience returns as InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau announces 2026 retreat
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced the dates for its 2026 Manta Retreat, following the programme’s strong reception in recent years. The retreat will take place from 24 to 27 March 2026, coinciding with the Maamunagau manta season, when juvenile manta rays are commonly sighted in the resort’s lagoon just offshore.
The resort will once again partner with The Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations, to co-host the retreat and offer guests an immersive, educational experience centred on marine conservation. The programme is designed for travellers seeking purpose-led experiences and a deeper understanding of manta rays within their natural environment.
Located on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and adjacent to a known juvenile manta ray aggregation site, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau provides direct access to key research and observation areas. During the retreat, guests will be able to participate in guided reef snorkelling, manta excursions led by The Manta Trust, coral restoration and planting workshops, and a series of educational sessions. Participants will also have the opportunity to adopt and name a manta ray as part of the conservation initiative.
The partnership between InterContinental Maldives and The Manta Trust has been in place since 2019. The retreat will be led by The Manta Trust’s base leader, Meral Hafeez, who will guide guests through manta ray encounters while sharing insight into the organisation’s ongoing research and conservation efforts in the surrounding waters. The programme offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at the daily work of the research team, including observing and recording manta ray behaviour.
In 2023, Maamunagau Lagoon was recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), identifying it as a vital habitat for manta rays and a priority conservation site. The lagoon continues to serve as a key research area for The Manta Trust, allowing guests to observe manta rays in their natural environment within close proximity to the resort. Certified divers are also catered for, with access to dedicated dive sites where manta ray cleaning stations can be observed, highlighting the complex marine ecosystems of the Maldives.
Beyond the retreat activities, guests can enjoy the resort’s overwater villas, unwind at AVI Spa, or explore its range of dining experiences.
The participation fee for the Manta Retreat is USD 1,550++ per night, per room, based on double occupancy, with a minimum stay of four nights. The package includes one manta ray research trip, guided house reef snorkelling, manta ray adoption, educational workshops, and accommodation in a luxury villa or residence on a half-board basis.
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Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
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Radisson Blu Maldives image shortlisted for Monaco environmental award
A breathtaking moment beneath the Maldivian skies has earned international recognition, as Manta Sunset Wave, captured by award-winning underwater photographer Henley Spiers, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photography Award 2026.
The image, taken during a diving retreat at Radisson Blu Resort Maldives, beautifully encapsulates the magic of the Maldives’ underwater world. Photographed in the waters of the South Ari Atoll during a evening excursion, the image captures the graceful movement of manta rays at sunset, an awe-inspiring reminder of the Maldives’ rich and diverse marine ecosystem.
As one of just 36 shortlisted works selected by an international panel of renowned nature, wildlife, and conservation photographers, Manta Sunset Wave will be featured in the Foundation’s 2026 international exhibition. The collection will debut in the Principality of Monaco before touring globally and will also be featured in a high-quality commemorative photobook, bringing these powerful visual stories to audiences around the world.
Beyond its visual splendour, the image highlights the importance of conservation photography in protecting fragile marine ecosystems. Through his work, Henley Spiers captures not only the wonder of the underwater world but also the urgent need to preserve it. His imagery serves as both inspiration and advocacy, encouraging a deeper connection with the ocean and a shared responsibility for its future.
A public vote is now open until 12 April 2026, and we warmly invite hospitality partners and the wider tourism community to support Henley Spiers in securing the public vote. By doing so, you will help showcase the Maldives’ rich and diverse marine life to a global audience and reinforce the importance of ocean conservation.
Henley Spiers and Radisson Blu Resort Maldives have previously collaborated on creative projects, with Henley serving as Creative Partner to document the resort’s exceptional diving experiences, including the remarkable presence of whale sharks in South Ari Atoll. This ongoing partnership continues to celebrate and protect one of the world’s most extraordinary underwater environments.
Guests at Radisson Blu Resort Maldives are immersed in this extraordinary marine environment, where encounters with manta rays, vibrant coral reefs, and even whale sharks are part of the experience. It is a destination where luxury and nature exist in harmony, offering unforgettable underwater journeys that leave a lasting impression.
To cast your vote, please follow this link.
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Baros Maldives introduces ‘Lines of Respect’ fishing programme
Baros Maldives, the iconic private island resort in the North Malé Atoll celebrated for its timeless elegance and authentic Maldivian spirit, has launched Lines of Respect–a first-of-its-kind sustainable sport fishing initiative that reframes big game angling as a dialogue with nature rather than a conquest of it.
The initiative arrives at a moment when expectations of travel are shifting, as guests seek experiences that both immerse and protect. At the same time, marine ecosystems face growing pressure from overfishing, climate change and biodiversity loss, bringing ocean stewardship into sharper focus than ever before.
Lines of Respect positions Baros as a leader in this evolving landscape, demonstrating that the thrill of sport fishing and a genuine commitment to the ocean’s long-term health are not only compatible, but inseparable.
Cultural pride and conservation practice
Rooted in the Maldives’ deep-rooted fishing heritage–a tradition that has shaped island life and identity for centuries–Lines of Respect draws a direct line between cultural pride and conservation practice. The initiative places particular emphasis on catch-and-release sport fishing, allowing guests to experience the intensity of big game fishing while ensuring minimal impact on marine ecosystems.
Sustainable practices are already embedded in the fabric of daily operations at Baros: strict adherence to Maldivian fishing regulations, the careful release of undersized fish during excursions, and a crew trained to handle marine life with care and expertise. Lines of Respect builds on this foundation and gives it a name, a framework and a clear philosophy.
“With Lines of Respect, guests won’t have to compromise on experience,” said Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager.“It’s about encouraging people to fish with intention. The ocean is generous and it is our responsibility, as hosts and humans, to ensure it stays that way.”
Sport fishing as marine stewardship
Baros sits on the edge of one of the Maldives’ most renowned house reefs–an extraordinary marine environment that the resort has long been committed to protecting. Lines of Respect extends this commitment into the open water, ensuring that every sport fishing experience offered at Baros is designed with the health of the wider ecosystem in mind.
From the vessels used–traditional wooden dhonis that minimise environmental footprint–to the techniques practised and the species targeted, every element of the programme has been considered through a conservation lens. Guests are not simply fishing; they are participating in a practice that respects the future of the Indian Ocean.
This philosophy is further reflected in Fully Ocean, Baros’ new annual sustainability initiative launching in June 2026, which invites guests to explore marine conservation through immersive, hands-on experiences aligned with global ocean awareness events.
Fishing experiences at Baros Maldives
For guests wishing to experience the full breadth of Maldivian angling culture, Baros offers a range of fishing excursions–each guided by an expert crew and designed to connect guests with the sea.
- Sunrise Fishing: A serene morning excursion departing at 6:00 am aboard a traditional wooden dhoni. Using topwater and subsurface lures, guests target tuna, wahoo, bonito and mahi-mahi as the sun rises over the atoll. Offered twice weekly as a scheduled group activity, or as a private experience on request. Duration: two hours.
- Sunset Fishing: From 5:30 pm, guests cast their lines into the calm evening waters using traditional handline fishing with live bait, targeting bottom-dwelling species alongside tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Available as a scheduled group activity or a private excursion. Duration: two hours.
- Big Game Fishing: For those seeking the full adrenaline of deep-water sport fishing, Baros offers morning (from 5:00 am, five hours) and afternoon (from 1:00 pm, four hours) big game excursions. Aboard a traditional dhoni or a sports fishing boat (surcharge applicable), guests venture into deeper waters using trolling, bait fishing and artificial lure techniques to pursue marlin, sailfish, swordfish and large tuna species, including bluefin, yellowfin and bigeye.
- Golden Reel Adventure: The pinnacle of the Baros fishing offering. This private half-day excursion is a deep immersion into authentic Maldivian angling heritage—covering five distinct traditional fishing techniques, guided by an expert crew to prime locations across the atoll. Guests may encounter marlin, sailfish, swordfish and a range of tuna species in an experience that is as educational as it is extraordinary.
Fishing experiences at Baros Maldives are available to resort guests. Booking in advance is recommended. For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.
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