InterContinental Maldives unveils 2025 manta retreat

This year's Manta Retreat takes place in March from the 17th-20th March 2025 during Maamunagau manta season, where young manta rays are found in the resort's lagoon just a few minutes away from shore. Spreading curiosity and excitement to learn about manta rays and their natural habitat, the Manta Retreat forms a great platform to learn, explore and understand these gentle giants and the work of the Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations. Guests will be invited to experience dedicated workshops, snorkelling excursions and even partake in naming a Manta, leaving a part of their heart in the Maldives.

The fourth Manta Retreat will focus entirely on meeting the manta rays that call the island's surrounding waters their home and their protection and ocean conservation. Meral Hafeez, the Manta Trust base leader at InterContinental Maldives, will lead the retreat and take participants along to uncover the secrets of manta rays.

In 2023, the Maamunagau Lagoon was recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), marking the first step in identifying it as a vital habitat for manta rays and a priority for conservation. The lagoon hosts a juvenile manta ray aggregation site and serves as a key research area for the Manta Trust team. Guests will have the chance to meet manta rays up close and get in touch with the research that the Manta Trust team has been conducting on the resort since 2019. 

Additional experiences such as diving and snorkelling trips, cruises, excursions or spa and wellness treatments can be booked individually for additional charges. Upon request, one-on-one sessions with the Manta Biologist can be arranged privately.  

Guests staying at InterContinental Maldives also have the opportunity to enjoy the luxury resort's facilities as well as their villa or residence accommodation. There is also plenty to keep adults and children entertained in case some family members or travel partners are not participating in the retreat.