Representative photoPhoto by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels

Indian Ocean · Maldives

Baa Atoll

Diver level: Accessible from intermediate levelBest months: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · FebAccess: Liveaboard recommendedTrip cost: €1,771

Plan this trip

Why dive here

Documented wildlife: Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Reef Manta Ray, Whale Shark
2 documented dive sites
Liveaboard recommended

Wildlife

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Documented at this destination — specific site not yet recorded

Best months: Feb

See other destinations for Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Reef Manta Ray

Cleaning station documented at Dharavandhoo Corner (Manta Point)

Best months: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov

See other destinations for Reef Manta Ray

Whale Shark

Feeding aggregation documented at Hanifaru Bay

Best months: Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct

See other destinations for Whale Shark

Dive sites

Dharavandhoo Corner (Manta Point)

8–20m

A real, scuba-diveable manta cleaning station elsewhere in Baa Atoll — the actual dive site to name when Hanifaru Bay itself is snorkel-only. A current-exposed channel/corner site; both resort day-boats and liveaboards reach it, so liveaboard is recommended for full-atoll coverage rather than strictly required.

Advanced levelDriftReefDay boat accessLiveaboard recommended

Advanced Open Water recommended

also accepted: SSI Advanced Adventurer, NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver, CMAS 2★

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Hanifaru Bay

3–15m

The bay itself — snorkel-only. Scuba diving (any compressed-air diving) has been prohibited here since ~2011/2012 to protect feeding mantas and whale sharks from bubbles and gear; entry is permit/token-gated via the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund. For the atoll's actual scuba manta encounter, see Dharavandhoo Corner (Manta Point).

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When to go

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve built around Hanifaru Bay, a seasonal, monsoon-driven manta ray and whale shark feeding aggregation (peak July-October). Scuba diving has been prohibited inside the bay since 2011/2012 to protect feeding animals from gear and exhaust bubbles — that specific encounter is snorkel-only, guided, and permit-gated. Real scuba diving with reef mantas happens elsewhere in the atoll, at named cleaning-station sites such as Dharavandhoo Corner (Manta Point).

Best months overall

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Turtles: Feb

Manta rays: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov

Whale sharks: Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct

Conditions

Jan27.9–28.9°C

Feb28.3–29.2°C

Mar28.5–29.9°C

Apr29.6–30.8°C

May29.3–30.7°C

Jun28.9–29.8°C

Jul28.9–30.1°C

Aug28.2–29.8°C

Sep27–29°C · 15–25m vis. · Moderate current · Variable sea · Good

Oct28.3–29.4°C

Nov28.2–29.8°C

Dec28.3–29.6°C

Experience & eligibility

Accessible from intermediate level

A certification or experience level is a floor, not an exact match — a more experienced diver can always access an easier site.

Advanced Open Water recommended

Trip cost

Diving/liveaboard: $1,820
Mandatory park fee: $84
Flights: Unknown
Accommodation: Included in liveaboard

Diving, mandatory fees, and accommodation (included in the liveaboard) — only flights aren't included.

Known dive cost

€1,771

Likely range €1,641–€1,881

Priced as of Jan 2026

Source price: $1,904

? Flights

Wildlife data

Conditions

Destination info from DiveFinder editorial research

Keep exploring

Search all destinations See other destinations for Hawksbill Sea Turtle See other destinations for Reef Manta Ray See other destinations for Whale Shark