MALE, 18 October 2019: In 1978, “Marine Diving” and “Umi to Shima no Tabi” (Travel to the Sea and Islands) were the first magazines to introduce the Maldives to the Japanese. Since then, theyhave been coming to shoot in the Maldives almost every year.
Having heard about the new manta ray site near Gili Lankanfushi in 1985, they went to the Maldives several times wanting to photograph the manta rays but were unsuccessful. After about one year of trying, they went to Lankan in May again for some other purpose, and that was when they met manta rays for the first time. Back then, the best season to watch manta rays was from September to November, so it was an amazing surprise!
As soon as they published the magazines with photographs of the manta ray encounter, many Japanese people headed to Lankan to see the manta rays. Now, we know that the best season to watch the manta rays in Lankan Reef is during the southwest monsoon season, which is from May to November. There is a chance to dive with them since this manta ray site is very close to Gili Lankanfushi.
But please remember the reason why the manta rays are still appearing in this area after so many years is that there are rules to protect them: do not touch or go after them. Follow these rules when diving with manta rays to keep this amazing ocean just the way it is now.
This article is written in collaboration with Marine Diving Magazine, Japan and Hpaper online- a travel &lifestyle magazine, produced by HPL Hotels & Resorts: http://bit.ly/Hpaper-TTRWeekly
An article that you may like Saving Corals in the Maldives: http://bit.ly/Saving-corals-Maldives-TTRWeekly
Where to Stay:
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives: http://bit.ly/GiliLankanfushiMaldivesforTTR