The marine life of the Indian Ocean around the Maldives is a thing of beauty all year round.
However, if it is Manta rays and Whale sharks you are specifically after then the northern hemisphere’s summer months are a prime time to visit this part of the world.
Considered the low season by many, these months provide the ideal opportunity to get in and share the water with these amazing creatures.
Due to the southwest monsoon, the currents of the Indian Ocean flow from west to east and with them come and increased number of plankton on the eastern side of the atolls.
This makes it a happy hunting ground for mantas who migrate across so they can feast on the large amount of food. In turn it also offers divers with the ideal chance to see these giant fish in vast numbers as they gather at cleaning and feeding stations.
With the largest known population of mantas in the world in the area around the Maldives, it means there is no better time or place to see them.
The reason for the proliferation of Whale sharks is the same.
One of only three known filter-feeding shark species, they gather here to take advantage of all the plankton and in doing so provide divers with a marine spectacle they will never forget.
And despite being the world’s largest fish, the whale shark is completely harmless to humans – providing you don’t get too close to its mighty tail with which it could inadvertently do serious damage!
With Manta rays and Whale sharks all around, sharing the Maldivian waters with them is a once-in-a-lifetime diving experience that is not to be missed.
There are other advantages to travelling at low season as well. Because it is ‘off peak’ the Indian Ocean is generally a lot quieter with fewer boats in the water.
The knock-on from that is prices are also lower meaning you the chance to see an abundance of Whale sharks and Mantas at a cheaper rate than other times in the year.
A win-win if ever there was one!
Our Best of Maldives itinerary is the ideal trip to enjoy these fantastic creatures. If you want any help or advice our team are always available to give you any assistance needed.
Contact them on [email protected] or via our chat.
