Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is marking World Manta Day with a special marine experience that takes guests beyond the resort’s shores and into the waters of North Ari Atoll, where encounters with manta rays offer a memorable glimpse into the Maldives’ extraordinary underwater world.

Operated by the resort’s Dive & Sail team, the manta excursion begins after breakfast with an 8.00 am departure from Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon. Guests then travel for approximately one hour and 40 minutes to two hours across the atoll, with the journey and final destination depending on sea conditions and the location of manta activity on the day.

Recent excursions have taken guests towards areas including Genburugau and Maavaru Kandu. However, the experience remains guided by nature, with seasonal conditions, weather, ocean currents and plankton concentrations all influencing where manta rays gather and how many may be seen.

When conditions are favourable, guests can encounter between five and 30 manta rays during an excursion. A recent trip provided an especially memorable experience, with plankton-rich waters attracting numerous mantas to the area. Guests were able to enter the water and observe the graceful creatures as they glided through the blue, circled nearby and moved effortlessly through the surrounding waters.

The excursions primarily offer encounters with oceanic manta rays, whose impressive size and distinctive wing-like movements create an unforgettable experience from beneath the surface. Watching a manta approach before gracefully turning and disappearing into the blue offers guests a rare opportunity to experience one of the ocean’s most fascinating species in its natural habitat.

For Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, the excursion also complements the resort’s renowned house reef, allowing guests to discover marine life beyond the immediate surroundings of the island. Situated in North Ari Atoll, the resort provides access to a diverse underwater environment, making it a natural base for guests interested in snorkelling, diving and marine exploration.

Priced at USD 130 per person, the manta excursion includes lunch, while snorkelling equipment is available separately. Guests generally return to the resort at approximately 2.30 pm, completing a full day of marine discovery.

As World Manta Day highlights the importance of protecting manta rays and the marine ecosystems they depend upon, the experience at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon offers guests an opportunity to appreciate these remarkable creatures at close range while gaining a deeper connection with the surrounding ocean.

From the resort’s house reef to the wider waters of North Ari Atoll, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon continues to provide opportunities for guests to explore the rich marine environment of the Maldives, where some of the most memorable island experiences can be found beneath the surface.