Secrets of the Sea: Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru Unveils Manta “Hot Dates” for 2026–27
Out in the open waters of the Baa Atoll, there are moments when the sea seems to come alive—when shadowy wings glide just beneath the surface and time briefly slows. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, those moments are no accident. Backed by nearly two decades of scientific observation, the Resort’s resident Manta Trust team has released its most anticipated calendar yet: the peak manta ray encounter dates for 2026 and 2027.
Set within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—home to the world’s largest known population of manta rays—Landaa Giraavaru remains one of the few places on Earth where swimming alongside these gentle giants feels both intimate and responsibly curated.
When Science Meets Serendipity
Nicknamed “manta hot dates,” these carefully predicted windows are the result of long-term data analysis tracking plankton blooms, tidal movements and manta migration patterns. The goal is simple: help guests plan their stay around the times when mass manta aggregations are most likely to appear close to the Resort.
When conditions align, the much-loved Manta On Call experience springs into action. Guests receive real-time alerts and are swiftly transported by speedboat to nearby feeding grounds, where snorkelling with dozens—sometimes hundreds—of mantas becomes a once-in-a-lifetime reality. On board, the globally respected Manta Trust researchers—familiar faces from CNN’s Call to Earth—offer insights into manta behaviour, identification and conservation, turning each excursion into both an adventure and a learning experience.
A Sanctuary for the Sea’s Giants
The recently concluded 2025 manta season underscored just how vital this region is. Between May and November, researchers recorded an estimated 4,265 reef manta rays, alongside sightings of 28 whale sharks, 16 devil rays, and 10 oceanic mantas. Over 1,282 manta surveys conducted across 143 research days added yet another layer of knowledge to one of the world’s most comprehensive manta databases.
Conservation milestones also marked the season. Thanks to sustained advocacy and research by organisations including the Manta Trust, all ten species of manta and devil rays are now listed under CITES Appendix I, granting them the highest level of international protection and banning commercial trade worldwide.
Education Beneath the Surface
Beyond research and guest experiences, education remains at the heart of the programme. During the 2025 season, six interns and apprentices worked hands-on aboard research vessels, learning manta identification and data collection. The team also deepened its community outreach, engaging 969 local participants and celebrating the graduation of 19 students from the Trust’s Moodhu Madharusa (Ocean School), nurturing the next generation of Maldivian marine stewards.
“Every time someone enters the water with a manta, something shifts,” says Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. “These encounters spark awe, but they also spark responsibility. Since 2005, the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme here has been about building a lasting relationship between people and the ocean—and ensuring these animals are protected long after the swim ends.”
Manta “Hot Dates” at Landaa Giraavaru
2026
- May 14–18
- May 29 – June 2
- June 13–17
- June 27 – July 1
- July 12–16
- July 27–31
- August 10–14
- August 26–30
- September 9–13
- September 24–28
- October 8–12
- October 24–28
- November 7–11
- November 24
2027
- May 4–8
- May 18–22
- June 2–6
- June 16–20
- July 2–6
- July 16–20
- July 31 – August 4
- August 15–19
- September 28 – October 2
- October 13–17
- October 27–31
- November 12–16
- November 26–30
For travellers drawn to meaningful luxury, marine conservation and rare wildlife encounters, these dates offer more than just a swim—they offer a deeper connection to one of the ocean’s most graceful inhabitants, in a place that has made their protection a lifelong commitment.
