Experiences
Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Baa Atoll located in the central region of the atoll chain that form the Maldives is considered globally significant in terms of its biodiversity. The atoll covers an area of over 139,000 hectares which includes several habitats that support the rich biodiversity of the atoll.
The Maldives coral reefs are the most important habitat type in terms of area as well as biodiversity and is home to a high diversity of reef species, which includes 1,200 reef associated marine species, 250 species of stony and soft corals and populations of marine turtles, manta rays, whale sharks and seabirds. These also include threatened and
endangered species such as the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, Napoleon wrasses, and tawny nurse shark.
Hanifaru Bay is the highlight when it comes to Baa Atoll’s biodiversity, attracting large numbers of visitors every year. This tiny Bay located on the eastern flank of the atoll has seen some of the largest gatherings of manta rays anywhere in the world. Up to a hundred of these gentle giants are seen in a single congregation, gliding through the waters to feed as the tide pushes abundant plankton into the bay.
Swimming with Mantas in Hanifaru Bay
The Maldives offers one of the best accesses to snorkelling with mantas. Mantas roam in
groups entering channels and even the shallower lagoons of island along the reef edge. A
short boat ride from Kamadhoo and you can be in the water in the presence of mantas,
gracefully swimming around you as they feed on the abundant plankton that rushes into the
atoll with the tides, sometimes coming so close to you and staring right at you through your
mask to check you out.
The location and formation of Baa Atoll makes it one of the most exciting locations for
manta lovers. Plankton is funnelled in through the channels and into Hanifaru Bay, creating
a concentration of plankton, attracting hundreds of manta rays during the southwest
monsoon. Here you can observe what is known as cyclone feeding when over a hundred
mantas congregate to feed in the plankton rich waters of the bay.
Lacquer works in Baa Atoll
The finest lacquer work is found on Thulhaadhoo, in Baa Atoll where the craft is practiced
even today. Wooden containers, boxes and vases of all shapes and sizes display beautiful
abstract patterns in red, black and yellow. This traditional Maldivian craft is known as liye
laajehun, liyun meaning shaping wood with hand tools, and laajehun which refers to the
process of adorning the piece with designs using lacquer.
The wood is first lathed into the desired shape. Traditionally this is done on a hand driven
lathe, powered by a cord pulled around a spindle. Various hand tools are used to sculpt the
wood to achieve the desired shape.
Once the wood is sculpted, the pieces are then coated with several layers of dyed lacquer
and the motifs are etched by hand. When the outer layer is etched, the inner colours
become visible. The designs are usually floral motifs in red, yellow and green, on a black
background.
The deft skill of Maldivian lacquer artists can be seen not only in the exquisite pieces
produced today but also at some of the oldest mosques that were built hundreds of years
ago, in the lacquer art that adorns the columns and super structure of these buildings.
Kamadhoo Rayyithunge Hiyaa
Karankaa Magu,
B. Kamadhoo
Postal Code: 06020
B. Atoll , Maldives.
Contact : +960 7568899
Email: reservations@akomadoo.com
