Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau

The Maamunagau lagoon is an important feeding ground for juvenile manta rays as the large lagoonal system provides protective shelter from predators and an abundance of planktonic food for many juveniles during the North East monsoon months of December to April during which time they migrate from Hanifaru Bay.

Located in close proximity to the resort is Maldives’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll. Encompassing 139,700 hectares, the Baa Atoll is teeming with hard and soft corals, reef associated fish species, turtles, manta rays and whale sharks. Hanifaru Bay is a protected sanctuary within the Baa Atoll most notably known for being one of the very few places worldwide where throughout the year whale sharks congregate to mate and where regularly, the largest gatherings of manta rays can be seen between the months of May to November with more than 100 individuals coming together. Hanifaru Bay is also a nursery ground for grey sharks and sting rays amongst other species. Hanifaru Bay was a declared a “Marine Protected Area” in 2009 and was incorporated into the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011.