Swimming with manta rays in the Maldives

As I peer through my goggles, a dark silhouette emerges in the distance. The Maldives' Hanifaru Bay, known for its plankton-rich waters, is difficult to see clearly, but the creature is revealed to be a reef manta ray, gliding through the water towards what is known as a "cleaning station". This station, located below the coral reef, is where small cleaner fish gather to feed on the manta ray's parasites, dead skin, and bacteria.

As two more manta rays approach, they gracefully follow each other, hovering over the reef while the cleaner fish feast on their parasites. The encounter lasts only a few seconds before the rays circle back towards their starting point. The hotel where this experience takes place, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, has partnered with the UK-based non-profit Manta Trust to offer guests the opportunity to swim with these majestic creatures.

This partnership is part of the Manta On Call programme, an optional add-on for hotel guests. The reserve of manta ray season runs from May to November, with guests required to drop everything and head to the marine centre within 30 minutes if the Manta phone rings. As we embark on the boat to Hanifaru Bay, we snorkel with great care, respecting the fragile marine ecosystem and the wild mantas.

The bay, filled with hundreds of rays during the right tidal conditions, provides an unforgettable experience of swimming with these gentle giants amidst the coral reef.