28 August 2019 - 2 September 2019
Highlights:
- Flew to Maldives specially to visit Hanifaru Bay for the Manta Rays
- Aveyla Manta Village, relative inexpensive stay in Maldives (about USD200 a night for half board)
- Swam with 20-30 Manta Rays in Hanifaru Bay
- Swam with thousands of fusiliers near our guesthouse
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Day 1: SINGAPORE >MALE > AVEYLA MANTA VILLAGE
We flew Scoot (SGD765.28 for 2) from Singapore to Male International Airport, departing Singapore at 625pm, and arriving Male Airport at around 8pm local time (4h10m flight) Thereafter, we took a domestic flight from Male to Dharavandhoo airport (USD224 each for return). Before that we had dinner at Burger King at the airport and waited till 11pm for our domestic flight.For people who wants to buy local SIM card, there’s two shop in between the international and domestic airport and there’s four plan, USD15 for 4 GB, USD20 for 17GB, USD30 for 17GB (premium), and USD50 for 30GB. Landed 1122pm and checked into hotel 1150pm. We stayed in Aveyla Manta Village and paid USD961 for 5 nights half board basis. |
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Day 2: AVEYLA MANTA VILLAGE
A cloudy and windy day. After our breakfast in hotel we went over to our friend’s accommodation next door, Kiha Beach, to play pool. At around 3pm, we were informed that there were about 30 Manta Rays in Hanifaru Bay and hence we book a snorkeling trip there (USD60 each) and took a 25-30mins ferry there. Amazing snorkeling with easily 10-20 of them as the Manta Rays were there feeding. Had a wonderful 45mins swim (maximum time allowed) before heading back to hotel. Rest and relax for the rest of the day. |
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Day 3: AVEYLA MANTA VILLAGE
After breakfast in the hotel, was informed that there were Manta Rays at the Bay and we took another snorkeling trip to Hanifaru Bay at around 11am. Today was even better than yesterday as the Manta Rays were feeding in the shallow area. We were surrounded by more than 20 Rays at one point with clear visibility. The sad thing is have to leave after 45 mins :(. Back to hotel for lunch, and at around 230pm, was told that the rays are still at the Bay and hence together with our friends, we decided to go for the snorkeling trip again. Although the experience was not as good as in the morning, we were still able to swim among 10-15 of them. After 45 mins, we were sent back to hotel. Rest and relax for the day. |
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Day 4: AVEYLA MANTA VILLAGE
After breakfast, we went for a snorkeling trip to Hanifaru Bay again at around 11am. However, there were only 3-4 Rays in the Bay when we arrived and we decided not to jump into the water. Only a few who visited Hanifaru for the first time jumped into the water and swam with that few Mantas. There were more Manta Rays appearing after 20-30 mins. At around noon time, there were slightly more than 10. But we decided not to go into the water and hence we need not pay the USD60 each. Back to hotel for lunch and decided to snorkel around the house reefs in the afternoon as weather was great and the sea was calm. We were lucky to see thousands of fusiliers swimming near the house reefs for more than 30 mins. They suddenly disappeared when some big fishes attacked them. Back to hotel around 5pm after 2 hours of snorkeling. Rest and relax for the rest of the day in hotel. |
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Day 5: AVEYLA MANTA VILLAGE
Another sunny day, but only few Mantas spotted in Hanifaru Bay this morning. So decided to snorkel in the house reef again today. Another wonderful sight where there’s thousands of fishes (don’t know it’s name) swimming in one direction continuously. Also spotted a few lion fishes, a stone fish, Moray eel, little Moray eel, and many other fishes. Spend some time flying the drone in the afternoon around the island and rest and relax for the day. |
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Day 6: AVEYLA MANTA VILLAGE > SINGAPORE
Only 2 Manta spotted in Hanifaru Bay in the morning, and the water was super calm. So we just spend time rest and relax by the beach before checking out at 130pm and waited for our flight at 330pm. The flight departed 338pm Landed 4pm. Took local ferry 440pm to Male, 10 Maldivian dollar each one way. 610 boarded ferry, 613pm departed for airport terminal. 1kg 40 Maldivian dollar for the tuna. Departed 855pm and landed 445am; flight time 4h45m |
TRIP PHOTOS - MALDIVES