Bandos Maldives Kicks Off Festive Celebrations
Reethi Beach Resort is located in one of the best atolls in the Maldives for an astounding snorkeling experience. The 4-star resort is located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve hosting the world-famous Hanifaru Bay, which is home to majestic manta rays and whale sharks. Reethi Beach Resort offers a true Maldivian island experience with 129 beautiful villas, creating a path through tropical vegetation leading from each Villa to pristine sands and a crystal clear lagoon. Around 85% of this island is untouched lush vegetation shaded by graceful palm trees. Accessible by short 35 minutes seaplane ride or 20 minutes domestic flight followed by a short 15-minute speedboat ride.
Hanifaru Bay is a world-famous snorkeling site and as per the Resort Manager of Reethi Beach Resort, Denise Schmidt, they have seen an overwhelming response from a lot of new and repeating guests inquiring about snorkeling with manta rays. They also have a team of Ocean Fanatics who are pros at tracking mantas and whale sharks. Reethi Beach Resort offers thrilling snorkeling excursion experiences every day.
Hanifaru Bay sees a large number of mantas and whale sharks compared to other locations in the Maldives. They come to feed on the zooplankton that gets trapped here, making it an amazing spectacle if you become lucky enough to witness it. During peak time at Hanifaru Bay, there could be hundreds of mantas cruising along with several whale sharks feeding there at the same time. Hanifaru Bay is one of the only places in the world where so many mantas and whale sharks aggregate in such unusually high numbers. This has led to international recognition and is being celebrated in major publications including National Geographic.
Recently, the renowned ocean conservationists Ocean Ramsey and Juan Oliphant visited Reethi Beach Resort. They are the founders of Ocean Organization and One Ocean Diving which works as an immersive conservation program.
“Feeling a wonderful sense of serenity looking up at these gorgeous, graceful, gentle giants. Manta rays are harmless and defenseless. Tragically they are quickly heading towards extinction as they are hunted and killed for their gill-rakers for Chinese medicine markets. Please help save mantas by voting to pass laws or supporting efforts for their protection and marine protected areas. Mantas are protected at this incredibly special spot which I am so grateful to be experiencing. Special thanks to @sideytheshark for helping @juansharks and me to make this quick visit since we were already so close in Qatar and @reethibeachresort and @oceanfanaticsmaldives for hosting us and taking us diving. Local research is managed by @baaatollbiospherereserve and they’ve got a wonderful team of local rangers keeping an eye out for the mantas & @mantatrust team helping with research,” said Ocean Ramsey.
Hanifaru Bay, located in the crown of the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, has been a Marine Protected Area since 2009. This means that the creatures that frequently visit these areas are protected and the number of visitors allowed in the area and the environment is controlled and protected by law.
For more information and to book your stay, visit https://www.reethibeach.com/
