Hanifaru Bay is the place to come to snorkel with manta rays and whale sharks. This UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Maldives is legally designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Hanifaru was declared protected on 5 June 2009 and the protected area of coverage includes the uninhabited island of Hanifaru and the reef of Hanifaru extending to 200m.
Aveyla Manta Village offers “affordable luxury with village charm”. The beachfront hotel is the closest resort to world-famous Hanifaru Bay, so ideally situated to for those looking for marine encounters with the mantas and whale sharks that aggregate in season to feed on the plankton-rich waters. Built in 2014, the hotel is designed to minimize the impact on the surrounding environment and is powered completely from solar sources.
The restaurant offers a mix of European and Asian dishes, and both the buffet and menu have vegetarian options. As the resort is located on a local island, alcohol is not permitted.
Staying Connected
Guests can access free high-speed internet via WiFi in the hotel and beach area.
We think….
If it’s mantas you want to see, this is the place to come! From June to November when the winds are favourable and currents are good, hundreds of Manta gather in Hanifaru Bay for a feeding frenzy!
Located on a Dharavandhoo Island in Baa Atoll, at the heart of the Maldives’ only UNESCO marine biosphere reserve. The island has a small domestic airport which serves flights throughout the day from the capital Male. Flights take about twenty minutes and are run by both Maldivian Airlines and Flyme.
Rooms are spacious, sleeping up to three people, with LCD TV, in-room kettle and fridge to store snacks.
Dive Service
Sister company, PADI 5-Star dive centre, Liquid Salt Divers organise daily diving and snorkelling trips to Hanifaru Bay. The centre offers all PADI courses up to Dive Master, and popular PADI specialities include Shark, Manta. Underwater Photography, Fish ID and Naturalist.
Best time to dive
Diving in the Maldives is suitable all year round. Occurring from December to May is the Northeast Monsoon which provides calm seas and clear water in the east. These conditions are not the same in the west at this time. During this period the air temperature is generally around 29° and the water temperature is 26-29°. From June to November is the Southwest Monsoon where the water is clear towards the western atolls but the seas are rougher at this time and it as also generally a wetter time. The expected air temperature is 26° and water temperature is from 26-29° at this time.
Hanifaru Bay is the place where the world’s largest gathering of manta rays can be seen. Snorkelling with these peaceful ocean giants is an unforgettable experience.
The season runs from June to November each year and sightings depend on many factors such as tide times, moon phases and currents. The best time to visit the Hanifaru Bay is during the New Moons & the Full Moons.
Manta rays & Whale Sharks are attracted to the microscopic planktons brought with the currents and winds during the South West Monsoon. The whale sharks spend a large amount of time on the surface feeding on plankton, which makes it the ideal place for the snorkelers.
Pricing for Aveyla Manta Village with Liquid Salt Divers
| Manta Madness Dive Packages with Hanifaru Bay valid to 2025 | AUD | USD | |||
| 7 Nights Village Std Room (Double), 14 dives, 4 Hanifaru Bay, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 2122 | USD | | | 2122 | |
| 7 Nights Village Deluxe Room (Double), 14 dives, 4 Hanifaru Bay, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 2260 | USD | | | 2260 | |
| 7 Nights Beach Deluxe Room (Double), 14 dives, 4 Hanifaru Bay, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 2424 | USD | | | 2424 | |
| 7 Nights Ocean Deluxe (Double), 14 dives, 4 Hanifaru Bay, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 2424 | USD | | | 2424 | |
| Manta Madness Diving Packages valid to 2025 | AUD | USD | |||
| 7 Nights Village Std Room (Double), 14 dives, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 1895 | USD | | | 1895 | |
| 7 Nights Village Deluxe Room (Double), 14 dives, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 2045 | USD | | | 2045 | |
| 7 Nights Beach Deluxe Room (Double), 14 dives, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 2197 | USD | | | 2197 | |
| 7 Nights Ocean Deluxe (Double), 14 dives, all meals & domestic plane transfers ex-Male | 2197 | USD | | | 2197 | |
| This resort's prices are in USD. The AUD prices shown are based on the current exchange rate. The price paid in AUD will be based on the actual exchange rate at the time any payments are made. | |||||
| Pricing includes accommodation as specified, all meals, return air transfers from/to Male, diving & snorkelling trips as specified, tanks, weights, boat, dive guide, unlimited shore diving, 12% GST & 10% Service Charge. | |||||
| The per person pricing above is indicative only: we show 7 night with 10/12 dive packages at high-end and lower-end rooms (singles & doubles) for the purposes of comparison. We can give you a price (and availability) for any combination of nights/dives you wish to undertake, which will include any discounts due to you as part of that package, and any exclusions, or items payable at the resort. Please use the [Enquire Now] tab to give us your exact requirements and we'll give you the best deal we can. | |||||
