InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced the dates for its 2026 Manta Retreat, following the event’s continued success in previous years. Scheduled from 24 to 27 March 2026, the retreat coincides with the Maamunagau manta season, when juvenile manta rays frequent the resort’s lagoon just steps from the shore. In collaboration with The Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations, the resort offers guests the opportunity to engage in an immersive marine biology experience.
The Manta Retreat is tailored for travellers seeking experiences beyond a conventional Maldivian holiday. It caters to guests who value purpose-driven activities and wish to gain insight into manta rays within their natural environment. The Manta Trust aims to advance global conservation through innovative research, inclusive education, and collaborative initiatives to protect manta rays. Positioned on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and adjacent to a juvenile manta ray aggregation site, the resort provides guests with guided reef snorkelling tours, Manta Trust-led manta excursions, and coral restoration and planting workshops. Participants can also adopt and name their own manta rays and attend a range of educational sessions.
Since 2019, the resort has partnered with The Manta Trust. The Trust’s base leader, Meral Hafeez, will guide guests in meeting manta rays and understanding their conservation within the waters surrounding InterContinental Maldives. The retreat offers exclusive insight into Meral and her team’s daily work, including observing and documenting manta ray behaviour. Commenting on the retreat, Meral says, “No matter how many times I’m lucky enough to encounter these animals, each interaction feels like I'm seeing them for the first time – the sense of awe never diminishes. The ocean is full of surprises, and I can’t wait for everyone to get to experience their first manta ray and the wonders of the deep.”
In 2023, Maamunagau Lagoon was designated an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), recognising it as a key manta ray habitat and conservation priority. The lagoon serves as a primary research site for The Manta Trust, offering guests the rare chance to observe manta rays in their natural setting a short boat ride from the island. Certified divers can access dedicated dive sites to witness manta rays at natural cleaning stations, highlighting the symbiotic relationships of marine life in the Maldives.
Following the retreat, guests can enjoy the resort’s overwater villa accommodations, book treatments at AVI Spa, or dine at its array of restaurants.
Booking Information
The Manta Retreat participation fee is USD 1,550++ per night, per room based on double occupancy, with a minimum stay of four nights. The package includes one manta research trip, guided house reef snorkelling, the opportunity to adopt a manta ray, multiple educational workshops, and accommodation in a luxury villa or residence on a half-board basis.
The 2026 Manta Retreat Brochure is available online. For further details or reservations, visit InterContinental Maldives Manta Retreat or contact the reservations team using the booking code "Manta Retreat" at reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com
