The Nautilus Maldives launches "The Manta Ray Symposium" in view of the upcoming Manta Ray Season

April 28, 2022 - PRLog -- The pandemic has caused a shift in priorities for the most discerning travellers, with guests looking for experiences that give meaning to their lives and spending their vacations more thoughtfully than ever before.

The Nautilus Maldives (https://www.thenautilusmaldives.com/houses) deeply understands this mindset and has lovingly crafted "The Manta Ray Symposium" together with the resident marine biologist expert and AquaNautica team at the private island resort. During The Manta Ray Symposium, the marine biologist will share valuable knowledge with The Nautilus' guests in a casual and free-spirited atmosphere as well as accompany and guide The Nautilus guests on private excursions within Hanifaru Bay's waters and coordinate with the Hanifaru Bay park rangers, who are experts in ensuring guests enjoy the most rewarding sighting opportunities. In convivial discussions, whilst guests are sipping fine concoctions created by The Nautilus's mixologist, the resident marine biologist expert will share in-depth knowledge about these beautiful, captivating, and mysterious creatures, different species, breeding and feeding habits and about Hanifaru Bay itself. In close interaction, the marine biologist and AquaNautica team will ensure that guests leave with an enriching experience and unforgettable moments spent amongst the corals and sea life of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

World renowned Hanifaru Bay, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Maldives' stunning Baa Atoll, which is just 15 minutes away from The Nautilus by luxury yacht, is one of the largest manta feeding hotspots in the world. Hanifaru Bay is unique as it has a vigorous water circulation system due to the funnel-like reef shape – approximately 1,300m long and 600m wide. During the north-western monsoon (May to November), enormous quantities of plankton get trapped in the bay, creating what is known as plankton 'soup', which attracts large numbers of filter feeding megafauna' such as whale sharks and manta rays.

Along with a few whale sharks, these manta rays display the unforgettable spectacle known as cyclone feeding. In this particular location, cyclone feeding can consist of more than 100 individual mantas. This special behavior is almost exclusive to Hanifaru Bay, the only location where you're allowed to swim and snorkel with these beautiful creatures.

Typically known as Mobula Alfredi, the reef manta ray is not only one of the largest but also one of the most iconic marine species in waters surrounding The Nautilus. Snorkellers and divers are far more likely to witness the grandeur of Mobula Alfredi than, for example, the Oceanic Manta Ray species, because they prefer communing in far shallower waters and are typically more sociable. With an average width of 325cm-400cm, weight of 700kg and life span of around 40 years, these magnificent creates will continue to grace Hanifaru Bay's waters and The Nautilus' atoll for many years to come.