Koamas by Jalboot @ Kudakurathu

Baa Atoll, Maldives

The team at Koamas by Jalboot @ Kudakurathu really leans into the Baa Atoll's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, and we love them for it. They’re PADI 5-star, which is great, but it’s their passion for the local environment that truly stands out. This is the place if you're serious about seeing manta rays during the season, really serious. We’d suggest staying close to Hanifaru Bay during July to November; it’s an absolute feeding frenzy when the plankton blooms, schools of mantas spiralling so close you can hear the water displacement. Beyond the mantas, they’re excellent at finding the smaller stuff too. Our favourite experience was a drift dive along Dhonfanu Thila, where the currents brought in grey reef sharks cruising just beyond the drop-off, while closer to the reef, we spotted a few shy leopard sharks resting in the sand patches. The visibility here can hit 30 meters on a good day, giving the feeling of flying over the coral. If you’re a photographer, chat with them about early morning dives; the light can be incredible, catching the sheen on a passing Napoleon wrasse just perfectly. They’re super organised, from the boat transfers to the kit setup, making for a smooth day every time.

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