Diving with manta rays is on the bucket list of most scuba divers and those planning a visit to Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa should get their pen ready to check it off the list! Regular visitors to the dive sites in close proximity to the island, the majestic manta rays are a highlight of many dives.

The species of manta ray regularly seen in the Maldives is the Reef Manta; they are pelagics that roam the ocean, not residing on one particular reef. Visits to the reef are purposeful; the manta rays are looking to take care of a little personal hygiene by visiting a cleaning station. It’s important for divers to make sure they don’t unintentionally occupy the cleaning station themselves – if the manta sees that it’s already occupied by a strange creature blowing bubbles it will go in search of an alternative and an amazing experience will have been lost.

The advice is to stay low, stay still and away from large blocks of coral – divers may then be rewarded with one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. Gracefully gliding in towards the blocks and hovering effortlessly in the current the mantas allow the cleaners to feast on the parasites living on their body, and this is a fascinating event to observe.