February 2026…// Following its incredible success in recent years, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is delighted to unveil dates for its 2026 Manta Retreat. This year’s Manta Retreat will take place from 24-27 March 2026, during the Maamunagau manta season when young manta rays can be found in the resort’s lagoon, just moments away from the shore. InterContinental Maldives continues its partnership with one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations, The Manta Trust, to co-host the retreat and give guests the unique opportunity to live the life of a marine biologist.
The Manta Retreat is designed for travellers seeking something beyond the traditional Maldivian holiday. It is for guests that value purpose-led experiences and for those who want to learn and understand about manta rays in their natural habitat. The Manta Trust’s aim is to achieve global conservation through innovative research, inclusive education and collaboration to protect and preserve the manta rays. Sitting on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and bordering a juvenile manta ray aggregation spot, guests at InterContinental Maldives will have the opportunity to part take in guided reef snorkelling tours, manta excursions led by the Manta Trust, coral restoration and planting workshops. Guests can also adopt and name their own mantas, as well as taking part in various educational workshops.
With a partnership which has been ongoing since 2019, The Manta Trust’s base leader, Meral Hafeez, will lead guests to meet the manta rays and learn about their crucial conservation in InterContinental Maldives’ surrounding waters. The retreat gives guests exclusive insight into Meral and her team’s day-to-day work, observing and recording the behaviour of the manta rays. 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, 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 conservation priority. The lagoon serves as a key research area for the Manta Trust team, giving guests the rare opportunity to observe the rays in their natural environment, just a short boat ride from the island. For certified divers, options are available to ensure all guests find their individual way of interacting with manta rays. Dedicated dive spots in the area around the resort allow divers to observe the natural manta ray ‘spa’, known as cleaning stations, showcasing the incredible symbiosis of marine life in the Maldives. Post-retreat, guests can make the most of the idyllic overwater villa accommodation, book in for a spa treatment at the AVI Spa or indulge in one of the resort’s many incredible restaurants.
How to Book
The participation fee for the Manta Retreat is USD 1,550 ++ per night, per room based on double occupancy, with a minimum of 4 nights stay per guest. This includes one manta ray research trip, guided house reef snorkelling, the chance to adopt a manta ray, several educational workshops, and a stay in a luxury villa or residence on a half board rate.
The 2026 Manta Retreat Brochure can be viewed here.
For more information, please visit https://maldives.intercontinental.com/home/manta-trust/manta-trust-manta-retreat/ or contact the reservations team with the booking code “Manta Retreat” at [email protected]
About The Manta Trust
The Manta Trust is one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations. Using coordinated global research to aid conservation efforts surrounding manta rays, their relatives and their habitats, the Manta Trust aims to achieve global conservation through Research, Education and Collaboration. Recognising the unique privilege of occupying an island in such close proximity to a newly discovered juvenile manta feeding ground, InterContinental Maldives began working in collaboration with the Manta Trust in 2019. The area around InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is home to a large and healthy population of manta rays which provides Manta Trust researchers based at the resort incredible access to study these animals.
Reef manta rays are listed as “vulnerable” and Oceanic manta rays as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List, the work they do helps to increase knowledge and understanding, which can be used to guide conservation measures both here in the Maldives but also around the world where manta populations are much smaller, and often threatened. The team of Manta Trust researchers welcome guests to join them for educational presentations and sustainably run excursions.
About InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is an exclusive destination getaway offering a unique opportunity for those looking to unwind and reconnect in an enviable island setting, where exclusive privileges go hand in hand with the personal touch of our signature service at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ first and only all-Club InterContinental resort. Located in the Raa Atoll, 35 minutes by seaplane from the Velana International Airport, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is an award-winning island escape offering beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences with up to three bedrooms. Curated dining and wellness experiences, an extensive kids club, as well as the Retreat, an adult-only enclave, along with a myriad of recreational adventures for families and couples alike, are also available.
For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email [email protected]. For real-time updates, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/intercontinentalmaldives and Instagram @intercontinental_maldives.