By air
Velana, Malé (MLE), then ~35 min by seaplane, or a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo
Indian Ocean Islands · Maldives
Baa Atoll, Maldives
Manta rays and a UNESCO biosphere of reefs
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to November for the manta gatherings at Hanifaru Bay
Don't miss
Hanifaru Bay
The biosphere reserve's reefs
Dharavandhoo island
Things to do
Snorkelling with mantas
Sandbank picnics
Diving the thilas
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Michael Hobi · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen
A quieter corner
Hanifaru Bay's feeding mantas (a protected bay: snorkelling only)
Questions travellers ask
When do the mantas gather in Baa Atoll?
June to November, when the mantas gather at Hanifaru Bay.
Can I dive at Hanifaru Bay?
No, it's a protected bay, so it's snorkelling only. Divers can head for the thilas instead.
How is Baa Atoll reached from Malé?
Fly into Velana, Malé (MLE), then it's about 35 minutes by seaplane, or take a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo.
What else can I do in Baa Atoll?
Snorkel the biosphere reserve's reefs and have a sandbank picnic, then tuck into fresh tuna curries and reef fish. Bring snorkel gear and reef-safe sunscreen.
About Baa Atoll
- Island
Where it is
Baa Atoll, an administrative division built around South Maalhosmadulu Atoll, lies in the west of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, a short seaplane flight north-west of Malé, with Eydhafushi as its capital island.
History
Baa's islands have been home to fishing and craft communities for centuries, and the island of Thulhaadhoo has long been known for its lacquerwork. The atoll was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011, and it takes in Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays gather to feed.
People
Baa's islanders are Dhivehi-speaking Maldivians who have long lived from fishing and coconut palms, and many now work in the atoll's resorts. Craftspeople on Thulhaadhoo make liyelaa jehun, turned wooden boxes and vases coated in red, black and yellow lacquer.
Known for
- Manta rays feeding at Hanifaru Bay
- Whale sharks in the plankton season
- Coral reefs and thilas
- Thulhaadhoo's lacquerwork
- Sandbank picnics
Did you know?
Hanifaru Bay draws some of the largest gatherings of feeding manta rays in the world when the tide pushes plankton into the small bay.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.