Dive with Manta Michelle at Six Senses Laamu
As of August 2017, Ocean Dimensions are now diving & snorkelling in the Unesco Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll at Kihaa Maldives – the closest resort to Hanifaru Bay. We hope to see you there!
At our manta point not 5 minutes boat ride away from Six Senses Laamu Resort we are lucky to have mantas nearly all year around. Therefore Beth & Adam, researchers with the Manta Trust, dive there every day and record the manta sightings. They take photos of manta bellies as the spot pattern on its underside is unique to each manta. Researchers in other parts of the Maldives do the same, they then all upload their photos on a data base were the belly patterns get compared. This can tell us for example about the distances the mantas travel, if they travel alone or in groups or if they travel for mating. Beth & Adam also look at size, sex, injuries, behaviour and more to find out as much as possible about the mantas to be able to protect them as unfortunately they are still a threatened species. They are being fished for their fins and gills mainly for the Chinese market. If you are lucky enough to be on a dive were we spot a new manta that has not been seen earlier, you get the honour of choosing a name for it. On some species research is done with radio transmitters but as this is a cost intensive way, we do it here the old fashioned way and dive with the mantas every day. You better come and join us to help with the research!
