Fly through the liquid blue abyss
Known as Vandhumaafaru-adi to the local community, Hanifaru is a bay like lagoon located in Baa Atoll (a Northern Atoll in Maldives). During the south-west monsoon huge groups of Manta Rays congregate at this spot during times of plankton accumulation. Mantas could be found here in over a hundred at times and they are often joined by Whale Sharks. This is indeed a spectacular site to see. The south-west monsoon is from April to November.
Years ago locals used to visit here to catch Whale Sharks. But with the rise of diving tourism and the Whale Shark getting a protected status by law this has stopped. Divers have been visiting this site since the 90s and seeing the significance of this place started to voice out to protect the place. On the occasion of World Ocean Day and World Environment Day of 2009 the government stepped up and declared Baa Atoll Hanifaru, Angafaru and Alif Dhaalu Atoll Maamigili as Marine Protected Areas.
Adh. Maamigili is located in South Ari Ari Atoll. In fact it’s the southernmost tip of the atoll. The whole of the area is frequented by Whale Sharks. Local experts state that it is possible to see Whale Sharks in Ari Atoll 365 days a year. The only times they don’t see is when the sea gets too rough and it is difficult to ride around on a boat.
These sites being declared as Marine Protected Areas does offer a bit of a piece of mind but more needs to be done to ensure that it just not stay as a place that is protected on paper. The need to be monitored and research should be done in a responsible way. Divers and snorkelers should follow a code of conduct that ensures that ensures the normal behavior of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks is there. Some dive operators are already following such guidelines.
Click here to read the news article about the protection of the sites.
To read about Bluepeaces efforts to protect Hanifaru click here.
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man awsome pics and great reading. i think i read somewhere about a UN lead conservation project in Baa atoll too. its good stuff
i read that hanifaru was discovered by guy stevens from save our seas foundation
Thats not true. Resorts and live aboards had been diving there before Four Seasons LG opened up.
Its really… beautiful … I have never seen so many manta’s any where else .
Have been lucky enough to dive as Hanifaru in 2008 and 2009 and were blown away on both occasions.
2008 we were lucky to spend 2.5 hours snorkelling with not 1 but 5 Whale Sharks….awsome!
2009 we dives with 60+ Mantas and a 8m Whale Shark for just over an hour; mind blowing. Mantas are truly majestic and really do know how to put on an unforgetable performance!
I just hope going forward the lagoon isn’t over run with so many people that it has an adverse effect on the marine life – it needs to be controlled in order to protet the marine life.
If your lucky enough to get to Hanifaru then please protect the marine life; take only pictures and keep your fingers off the marine life…look but don’t touch…and enjoy the magic of Hanifaru and the Maldives x
Hey Vicky
Sounds amazing diving – we want to do that kind of trip…..where did u stay pls during your visit to Maldives that enabled you to dive at Hanifaru? And what time of year did you do pls?
thnx
Hi George.
The best time would be during our South-west monsoon. Between May and November would be good. There are several resorts in Baa Atoll which would all have dive trips to Hanifaru. Or you could go there on a liveaboard which would enable you to visit more dive sites. Please do let me know if you need any more info.
Zim
Hi, where in maldives will be a good place to station in order to go to Hanifaru Bay?
Hi Alfred
You should look up the resorts in Baa Atoll. All of them would be going to Hanifaru. Also there would be some live aboards visiting the region.