The lagoon surrounding the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, as well as the islands of Maamunagau and Fenfushi, has been officially designated an Important Shark & ​​Ray Area (ISRA). Thanks to the resort’s ongoing partnership with The Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray conservation and research organizations, and the group’s extensive on-site research, this new status brings global recognition to the lagoon, designating it as a critical manta ray habitat and a priority conservation area. This announcement follows several years of scientific research and data collection, supported by the resort, and marks an important step towards implementing future protection measures in the surrounding region to strengthen conservation. This new status comes as The Manta Trust continues its ongoing research to secure the area as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

In addition to Maamunagau Lagoon, other sites in the surrounding region have been designated as ISRA: Dhikkuredhoo & Madivaafaru (located approximately 30 minutes from the resort, offering guests the opportunity to snorkel with manta rays, with a good chance of seeing mass feeding events from June to November) and Vandhoo & Kottefaru (a popular dive site with guests and a favorite cleaning area for local manta rays). Maamunagau and Fenfushi have been identified as important breeding and feeding areas for manta rays, with regular and predictable gatherings of reef mantas feeding from December to April. These areas are also recognized for their importance to young juvenile manta rays.

Recognizing the unique privilege of occupying an island in close proximity to a newly discovered feeding site for juvenile reef manta rays, InterContinental Maldives began partnering with The Manta Trust in 2019. The area around InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is home to a large and healthy population of reef manta rays, providing Manta Trust scientists based at the resort with incredible access to study these animals. Situated in its own natural lagoon at the idyllic end of Raa Atoll, bordering a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that is home to Hanifaru Bay, a sanctuary for manta rays, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort supports manta ray research in the lagoon and other areas of Raa Atoll. With its own sustainable waste management initiatives and recycling programs, the resort prioritizes educating guests on the importance of protecting these majestic creatures, including offering the opportunity to swim alongside them. InterContinental Maldives also hosts annual Manta Retreats, allowing guests to experience the magic of these giants of the sea and learn about the ongoing research on them.

With temporary wellness practitioners, resident chefs and, more recently, educational retreats on manta rays, the resort welcomes a diverse range of people and a rich diversity of marine life. As InterContinental’s first and only all-Club resort, guests can enjoy complementary benefits alongside five-star Maldivian luxury facilities, including overwater villas, adults-only enclaves and a tranquil spa. With 81 beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences, and six restaurants and bars, the resort offers the tranquility of a boutique hotel with the facilities of a world-class resort.

Jess Haines, PhD researcher for The Manta Trust, said: “It is a wonderful achievement to see several areas in Raa Atoll designated as Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). This milestone highlights the importance of the Manta Trust’s data collection efforts, which would not have been possible without the resort’s support. I look forward to continuing to work with these data to produce exciting research papers as part of my PhD and contribute to the protection of these critical marine habitats for young manta rays.”