THE MANTA RETREAT
Following the launch of the Manta Retreat in 2022, the fourth Manta Retreat is set to take place in March 2025. Spreading curiosity and excitement to learn about manta rays and their natural habitat, the Manta Retreat forms a perfect platform to learn, explore and understand these gentle giants and the work of the Manta Trust.
Created for travellers who want to experience the little bit extra, who are interested to add true value to their vacations, and do not say ‘no’ to an adventure, the Manta Retreat will take place from 17 to 20 March 2025 at InterContinental Maldives. Participants can look forward to spend some refreshing and exciting days the island-based Manta Trust team and some closeup time with manta rays in the resort’s very own lagoon.
MERAL HAFEEZ YOUR RETREAT LEADER
Meral is our Project Manager for the Manta Trust base in Raa Atoll at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.
Originally from Canada, Meral has spent a lifetime dreaming of warm, tropical waters and the ecosystems they harbour. Initially drawn to the field of marine conservation due to her love of coral reefs, Meral pursued a bachelor’s degree in law with the intention of tackling protection for these ecosystems in the legal sphere. But she was always drawn back to the water: “Most of my days are spent out on the water looking for manta rays with the aim of recording and observing their behaviour in order to gain vital information relevant for their protection. 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. I look forward to sharing the wonders of Maldivian marine life and manta rays with the participants of the Manta Retreat. 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!”
WHATS HAPPENING
The fourth Manta Retreat will focus entirely on meeting the manta rays that call the island’s surrounding waters their home as well as their protection and ocean conservation. Several snorkelling excursions are planned as well as workshops that involve the work of the Manta Trust team. Meral Hafeez, the Manta Trust base leader at InterContinental Maldives will lead the retreat and take participants along to uncover the secrets of manta rays.
THE MANTA TRUST
The Manta Trust is one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations. Using co-ordinated 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.
Recognizing 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 we do here 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. Our team of Manta Trust researchers welcome our guests to join them for educational presentations and sustainably ran excursions.
RETREAT ITINERARY
Meet the group and Manta Rays of the Maldives Talk at The Collective
03.00 pm to 03.45 pm
Delve into the world of gentle giants, as Meral Hafeez from the Manta Trust introduces you to the life and biology of manta rays in the Maldives. Listen to her wonderful stories and learn about our efforts to protect them and their ocean home.
DAY
Standby for Manta Snorkelling in Maamunagau Lagoon
From 10.00 am
Mantas on call, be ready to join for a snorkelling adventure of a lifetime. We keep a close eye on Manta movements in our lagoon and will inform you once the time is right to head out for your first Manta Ray encounter.
Manta ID Workshop in the Marine Centre
03.00 pm to 04.00 pm
Here is where it begins. Meral will take you through the art of identifying Manta Rays. Understanding their journey is the foundation of our research and protection efforts.
1 DAY 2
Maldives Marine Life and Guided House Reef Snorkelling
09.00 am to 11.30 am
Meet our Ocean Team at the Marine Centre to fit your snorkelling gear, and head out with our guide to explore the magical underwater world of Maamunagau.
Manta Research Workshop in the Marine Centre
03.00 pm to 04.30 pm
Listen up and learn how to conduct valid research data. Meral will take you through the procedure of the data collection procedure.
Manta Research Trip
04.00 pm to 06.30 pm
Embark on your first Manta quest in Raa Atoll with the Manta Trust team. Today we are not just going to look for Mantas but also use a plankton tow, deploy RUVs and collect IDs of our friends.
Plankton Workshop in the Marine Centre
03.00 pm to 03.30 pm
What was Plankton again? The foundation of life in our oceans and utterly interesting to have a look at them a bit closer.
Coral Restoration and Planting Workshop in the Marine Centre
04.00 pm to 05.30 pm
Our Marine Biologist, knows corals and will show you what they are, why we need to protect them and how we can make sure they thrive.
The Manta Game
From 08.30 pm
Bring your learnings from the last few days to the test. Your knowledge about manta rays, marine life, the oceans and the Manta Trust are testes in this fun and unique game, lead by the Manta Trust team.
DAY 3 DAY 4
RETREAT INCLUSIONS
• One Manta Ray Excursion in Raa Atoll
• One Manta Ray Research Trip
• Name and adopt a Manta Ray
• Manta ID Workshop
• Manta Research Workshop
• Manta Ray of the Maldives Talk
• Guided House Reef Snorkelling
• Plankton Workshop
• Coral Restoration and Planting Workshop
• Manta & Devil Rays of the World Guide Book
• The Manta Trust Snorkel Mask Strap
• Manta Trust Rash Guard
STAY BENEFITS
• Club InterContinental Benefits:
• Daily Breakfast from 7.00 am to 11.00 am in Café Umi
• Afternoon Tea from 03.00 pm to 05.00 pm
• Evening aperitif from 05.00 pm to 07.00 pm
• Pool side non-alcoholic beverages from 11.00 am to 06.00 pm
• Private lounge access at Seaplane terminal
• Planet Trekkers kids club access
• Island Butler and 24 hours e-Butler service
• Byredo luxury bathroom amenities
• 30 minutes resort photoshoot session
• A range of complimentary non-motorized water sports activities including catamaran sailing, windsurfing and stand-up paddling
RATES
• The participation fee for the manta retreat is USD 1,490++ per guest.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
• Minimum age for participation is 10 years and above.
• All participants have to be confident swimmers to be able to join the snorkelling excursions.
CONSERVATION
THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION & COLLABORATION
our vision is a sustainable future for the oceans, where manta rays and their relatives thrive in healthy, diverse marine ecosystems.
