Amilla Maldives Signs Manta Trust Responsible Operator Partnership

With the world-famous manta destination of Hanifaru Bay on its doorstep, Amilla Maldives Resort wanted to do more to help protect these magnificent creatures. So Amilla Maldives has teamed up with the Manta Trust, an NGO dedicated to protecting manta rays and the marine ecosystems they inhabit. Now, as a Manta Trust Responsible Operator hotel partner, Amilla is officially committed to minimising the impact its guests have on the mantas and mobula rays they encounter.

Manta Season runs from April to November in Baa Atoll, Maldives. Peak time is July, and when the lunar, tidal and weather conditions are perfect something magical happens in the atoll’s horseshoe-shaped Hanifaru Bay. Some of the largest aggregations of mantas in the world gather in the bay to gorge upon zooplankton trapped there. This manta ‘feeding frenzy’ is a remarkable phenomenon and the subject of much scientific interest. It’s only 15 minutes away from Amilla Resort by speedboat.

As part of the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, access to Hanifaru Bay is monitored and there is a ticket system to limit the number of visitors itching to swim with the wild mantas there. But sadly, not every tour operator considers the well being of the manta rays, and not every guest is informed of how to behave around these gentle giants.

Since Amilla’s H.U.B Water sports Centre runs trips for guests to Hanifaru Bay during Manta Season, as well as multiple manta cleaning stations in the area, the Amilla Islanders decided to play their part in helping to ensure the protection of the mantas by teaming up with the Manta Trust’s Maldivian Manta Ray Project and signing its Responsible Operator Agreement.

This ensures Amilla’s guests are educated on sustainable manta tourism using the project’s Swim With Mantas resources (including manta encounter guidelines) before they encounter them. Manta encounter guidelines include staying at least 3m (10ft) away from the mantas and not touching them (as your touch can damage the delicate membrane covering their skin).

The Maldives has the world’s largest known population of reef mantas – around 5,000 individuals. Manta ray tourism in the Maldives generates an estimated US $8.1 million per year in direct revenue.

To find out more about Amilla’s manta ray excursions, email stay@amilla.com.

Feature image by Amilla Maldives

Although we do not expect heroic stories to come out of a vacation at a Maldives resort, recent incidents have shown that anything can happen. Yes, even when you’re on vacation. The heroic stories of two couples, Mr. Jordan Daniel Van Dyk and Ms. Denielle De Bruyn have started circulating across the Maldives. The couple came to the Maldives for their honeymoon at the beautiful Dusit Thani Maldives. However, it appears that the honeymooners are leaving the Maldives with more than just honeymoon memories.

According to the Baa Atoll Police Station, on the 28th of April, the couple witnessed a staff member falling from a water villa deck into the ocean while on duty. If you’re ever stayed at a Maldives resort, you can understand the fear of falling from the deck into the ocean. Although the water below is beautiful, when caught off guard, the ocean can be a scary place. It appeared that the staff member was in a state of distress and was struggling in the water. In these situations, people do one of two things. Wait for someone else to take action as they stand by, or immediately jump in to avoid a sad situation.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Mr. Van Dyk and Ms. De Bruyn acted swiftly and courageously, coming to the aid of the drowning staff member. There is no doubt that this swift response by the couple was heroic, averting what could have been a tragic event at Dusit Thani Maldives.

Dusit Thani Maldives has acknowledged the bravery and swift action of the honeymooning couple, awarding them for their bravery in saving the staff member of the resort.

Amilla Maldives Signs Manta Trust Responsible Operator Partnership

Feature image by Amilla Maldives

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