Little is known about these gracious giants of the sea that fascinate divers; in the Maldives there are thought to be some 5,000 of them. A Manta Ray can be identified by the distinctive markings on its belly, each one being marked differently, in the manner of humans being identified by their fingerprints.
Currently, the dive base has data on 159 Manta Rays recognised over 10 years. Guests who re-visit the resort have a good chance to have a reunion with a Manta Ray they have seen on their dives in previous years. The database, through its link with Manta Matchers, can reveal where the Manta Ray has been over those years. From May to November and from January to April when sightings are frequent, are the best times for guest divers to join the resort’s Manta Ray survey.
At the resort, diving guests are invited to take photographs underwater of a Manta Ray’s “belly print” and compare it with the photographs already on the Divers Baros database. A diver who photographs a Manta Ray not seen before is offered the opportunity to give the Manta a name. The Baros Dive Centre has introduced an adoption scheme whereby the diver can receive regular reports on the Manta’s whereabouts and habits.
Baros Maldives is a private bijou tropical island resort only 25 minutes by resort speedboat from the Maldives International Airport. Every one of its 75 elegant overwater and beachside villas is close to the resort’s Dive and Marine Centres where expert Dive Masters and Marine Biologists are on hand to assist guests in the Manta Ray survey.
For more information, please contact:
Daniel Draxl
Marketing Manager
[email protected]
T: +960 664 26 72
www.baros.com
