Whale shark & manta tours
Manta snorkel trip
Mantas gather at cleaning stations and, in Baa Atoll, at Hanifaru Bay during plankton season. Guides time trips to where they're most likely.
Pros
- Mantas at cleaning stations are calm and close
- Hanifaru is a protected UNESCO biosphere site
Cons
- Strongly seasonal
- Hanifaru entry fee and limited slots
What the day looks like
Short boat ride, briefing on behaviour around mantas, snorkel at the site. Hanifaru Bay is snorkel-only with ranger-controlled time slots (roughly June–November).
Weather right now
What's the sky doing over Malé
The five-day forecasts cover Malé and Kooddoo, the forecast point used for Gemanafushi. Weather varies between atolls: the forecast for Malé is not a reliable guide to conditions across the Maldives. Check the forecast for your destination before travelling.
When to go: seasons and monsoons →Seasons and monsoons in Malé
The Maldives swings between two monsoons rather than four seasons — one year at a glance:
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Live from the islands
- Kuredu Island beachLhaviyani Atoll
- Veligandu sunset beachNorth Ari Atoll
- Kandooma FushiSouth Malé Atoll
- Velaa island 24/7Noonu Atoll
Resort-run cameras, opened on the provider's site. Views change with weather and daylight.