Lankan Reef

A gently sloping reef on the southeastern outer edge of North Malé (Kaafu) Atoll, off Lankanfinolhu island, about 30 minutes by speedboat from Malé. Also known as Manta Point or Lankan Reef, and part of a Marine Protected Area. Its draw is a set of three to four coral-block cleaning stations, around 10–18 m, where reef mantas queue for cleaner wrasse to pick them clean while divers hover below and to the side to watch. Mantas are seasonal, arriving on the southwest monsoon (roughly May–November) when the current pushes plankton onto this side of the atoll — and the same plankton can soften visibility at peak season. Currents are usually mild to moderate, making it an accessible drift, though good buoyancy helps. The reef runs from a ~5 m top down past 30 m, with caves and overhangs nearby. Beyond the mantas, expect white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, barracuda and fusiliers, with groupers and glassfish in the rocks. Boat entry.

Also known as: Manta Point