Definitely topping the list of your most frequently asked questions is ‘Will I get to swim with mantas during my holiday at Kuredu?’. While mantas, one of the Maldives’ most beloved underwater highlights, are regulars to the resort’s area throughout the year, there are certain months when your chances are the best…

Based on Manta Trust research, the main manta season around Kuredu is from September to March. In September these magnificent fish arrive at the famous cleaning station to have their gills cleaned by the cleaner wrasses on the reef outcrop (a manta spa, so to say!). With the start of the northeast monsoon in November (the months between November and April are the best time to visit the Maldives in general), they can be mainly observed whilst feeding, normally at snorkel sites in the west of the atoll; main aggregation sites during these times are around Hurawalhi sandbank – Dream Island, Felivaru, and Dhanifaru. They usually stay around until February/March before heading to more plankton-rich atolls.

Did you know?

– 378 manta rays have been identified in Lhaviyani Atoll
– 191 females, 182 males and 5 individuals for which the sex could not be determined
– 52% of the Lhaviyani reef manta ray population are adults and 48% are juveniles
– 314 individuals have been sighted more than once, and 149 have been seen in at least one other atoll in the Maldives.

Don’t leave the Maldives without trying your luck at seeing a manta – or maybe even 10! Download the Kuredu App (available on Google Play and App Store secure your slot.