Maldives — Baa Atoll · boat
Hanifaru Bay
Editorial plate — compiled from published sources, not yet confirmed by a verified diver. Dived here? Verify this plate.
Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
5.17000°N, 73.13000°E
Snorkel-only bay in Baa Atoll's biosphere reserve where mantas, sometimes 100+, chain-feed on plankton in season.
- Depth
- —
- Vis
- 15–25 m
- Current
- moderate
- Health
- Unscored
—
Awaiting verified ratings
- Geo (surface approx.)
- 5.17000°N, 73.13000°E
- Entry / access
- boat
- Difficulty
- beginner
Approximate position from published sources.
A cul-de-sac reef inlet roughly 700 m long that traps plankton on the monsoon tides, drawing large feeding gatherings of reef mantas and some whale sharks. Since its protection, scuba is banned: visits are snorkel-only with licensed operators under ranger supervision, with distance rules and no flash.
None — snorkelling only; scuba diving is prohibited
- Best season
- Jun–Nov; peak roughly Jul–Oct
- Last reviewed
- 20 Oct 2026 by editorial
Hazards
- medium · Regulated site: scuba prohibited, ranger-supervised, limited entry; no touching or flash
Marine life
Typical: reef manta ray, whale shark
Durable site rating
Multi-axis score
Separate axes — not one vague star, and not today's water. Public rollup is the 0 verified ratings on this plate. This is not a community count.
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Condition reports
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Questions people search
Is Hanifaru Bay suitable for beginners?
beginner — None — snorkelling only; scuba diving is prohibited
Sources
- Hanifaru Bay — Resortlife Maldives dive site guide · Resortlife Maldives
Supports: current, level, bestSeason, marineLife, rules
- 25 Best Dive Sites in Maldives 2026 · aMaldives
Supports: level, bestSeason, rules
- Hanifaru Bay — PADI dive site · PADI
Supports: bestSeason, marineLife, rules
- Day trips to Hanifaru Bay · Original Diving
Supports: rules, bestSeason, marineLife
Where sources disagree
Depth left null on purpose because it is a snorkel site. Sources give 1–5 m (aMaldives), 0–12 m and ~24 m in the centre (Resortlife), and 2–30 m (PADI). Season start mid-May (Resortlife) vs June (PADI, Original Diving).
Durable multi-axis scores sit on the rating plate. File a timestamped condition report, CoralWatch colour, or debris card on today's report. Public averages stay verified-only. Book at an Andaman dive centre.