Hanifaru Bay is a small bay within Maldives' Baa Atoll, itself the core zone of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designated in 2011. During the southwest monsoon, plankton gets pushed into the bay, drawing feeding aggregations of anywhere from dozens up to about 200 manta rays at once. To protect the site, scuba diving is banned inside the bay — entry is limited to guided snorkeling under permit.
