Manta rays are the Maldives’ benchmark species. Plenty of people travel to the archipelago just to catch a glimpse of these giant birds of the deep blue, and North Ari Atoll is their great stronghold– though you’ll need a diving certificate to stand much chance of a sighting. Elsewhere, giant whale sharks are common in May, while several species of dolphin and whale may be encountered at any time of year.
Non-divers can, of course, sample the multi-coloured splendour of local sea life at any of the coral reefs surrounding their resort.