A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Hanifaru Bay, where mantas gather from May to November. The event falls squarely in the low season and fills rooms when the rest of the country softens. Three of the eleven MICHELIN Keys sit here.
Getting there
Two routes: seaplane direct, or a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo and a boat. The second removes the daylight constraint and sells better on late arrivals.
Typical transfer from Velana International: seaplane, daylight only, about 35 minutes. Airfields on the atoll: Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV).
Properties on file
1 719 keys · 16 of 16 properties · 100% covered
| Property | Island | Distinction | Keys | Size | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soneva Fushi Resort | Kunfunadhoo | 3 Keys | 176 | L | Soneva |
| Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru | Landaa Giraavaru | 1 Key | 145 | L | Four Seasons |
| Vakkaru Maldives | Vakkaru | 1 Key | 128 | L | independent |
| Anantara Kihavah Villas | Kihavah Huravalhi | resort | 89 | M | Minor Hotels |
| Avani + Fares Maldives | Fares | resort | 210 | XL | Minor Hotels |
| Coco Palm Dhunikolhu | Dhunikolhu | resort | 98 | M | Coco Collection |
| Dhigufaru Island Resort | Dhigufaruvinagandu | resort | 85 | M | independent |
| Dreamland - The Unique Sea & Lake Resort/Spa | Hirundhoo | resort | 90 | M | independent |
| Dusit Thani Maldives | Mudhdhoo | resort | 104 | M | Dusit International |
| Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives | Kanufushi | resort | 168 | L | Seaside Collection |
| Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah | Voavah | resort | 11 | XS | Four Seasons |
| Milaidhoo Island Maldives | Milaidhoo | resort | 50 | S | Universal Resorts |
| NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort | Fonimagoodhoo | resort | 109 | M | Minor Hotels |
| Royal Island Resort and Spa | Horubadhoo | resort | 152 | L | Villa Resorts |
| The Nautilus Maldives | Thiladhoo | resort | 31 | S | independent |
| The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort | Miriandhoo | resort | 73 | M | Marriott International |
Marine zones
| Zone | Access regime | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Hanifaru Bay | Permit and daily visitor cap | May–November, manta aggregation |
| Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve | Protected area, fishing prohibited | May–November, manta aggregation |
Islands and sites
| Place | Type | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Hanifaru Bay | Marine protected area | May–November, manta aggregation |
| Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve | UNESCO Biosphere Reserve | May–November, manta aggregation |
| Eydhafushi | Inhabited island | Year-round |
| Dharavandhoo | Inhabited island | May–November, manta aggregation |
| Thulhaadhoo | Inhabited island | Year-round |
| Nelivaru Thila | Dive site | Year-round, best visibility Jan–Apr |
| Dharavandhoo Airport | Airport | Year-round |
Season and demand
The atoll works on may–november, manta aggregation, and takes 6.1% of the country's arrivals against 15 resorts in operation. Arrivals are counted, not overnight stays: that is the unit the Ministry publishes, and it is not interchangeable with bed nights.
Events
| Event | Month | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hanifaru Bay manta season opens | May | Natural event |
| Hanifaru Bay peak aggregation | September | Natural event |