Building on the success of the Manta Retreat launched in 2022, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is thrilled to announce the third edition of the Manta Retreat, scheduled for March 2024. This exclusive retreat, designed for curious travelers seeking unique experiences, offers a rare opportunity to delve into the world of manta rays and their natural habitat, while supporting the vital work of the Manta Trust.
Tailored for those looking to add genuine value to their vacations and embrace adventure, participants can anticipate refreshing and exhilarating days alongside the island-based Manta Trust team, gaining up-close encounters with manta rays in the resort's private lagoon.
The upcoming Manta Retreat, scheduled for March, will center around the exploration and conservation of the manta rays residing in the surrounding waters of the island. Led by Meral Hafeez, the Manta Trust base leader at InterContinental Maldives, participants will uncover the secrets of manta rays and their crucial role in ocean conservation. Hafeez expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "I look forward to sharing the wonders of Maldivian marine life and manta rays with the participants of the Manta Retreat. The ocean is full of surprises, and I can't wait for everyone to experience their first manta ray and the wonders of the deep!"
This year's Manta Retreat coincides with the Maamunagau Manta Season in March, when young manta rays are found in the resort's lagoon just minutes away from the shore. The Maamunagau Lagoon serves as a juvenile manta ray aggregation point and a significant research area for the Manta Trust team. Guests will have the unique opportunity to interact with manta rays up close and engage with the research conducted by the Manta Trust team since 2019. As part of the experience, participants will learn about the identification process in the Manta ID workshop and have the chance to adopt and name a manta ray.
Scheduled from the 9th to the 12th of March 2024, the Manta Retreat includes snorkeling and research trips, educational workshops led by the Manta Trust team, coral activities, and a manta ray adoption. The primary aim of the Manta Retreat is to educate participants and ocean enthusiasts about manta rays and their conservation while raising funds to support the crucial work of the Manta Trust.
Guests at InterContinental Maldives can also enjoy the luxury resort's facilities, villa or residence accommodations, and a range of entertainment options for both adults and children. Certified divers have the opportunity to explore dedicated dive spots showcasing the natural manta ray 'spa' and the remarkable symbiosis of marine life in the Maldives.
THE MANTA RETREAT
The Manta Retreat is scheduled from the 9th to the 12th of March 2024 at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The participation fee is USD 1490 per guest, covering two manta ray snorkeling trips, a guided house reef snorkeling experience, manta ray adoption, and various workshops on manta rays, plankton, coral restoration, and planting.
Additional experiences, including diving and snorkeling trips, cruises, excursions, or spa and wellness treatments, can be individually booked for an additional charge. Upon request, private one-on-one sessions with the Manta Biologist can be arranged.
