The Maldives is one of the best locations to see Manta Rays. The Standard will take you even closer.

Is it us or is everyone visiting The Maldives at the moment?

To be fair, as a guarantee of luxury, The Maldives is hard to beat, even if it now feels that hotel personnel must outnumber locals about 12-to-1. But, it’s easy to access, easy to get to, and pretty much beautiful and chilled however you cut it.

You’re spoiled for choice in terms of accommodation, of course, but the all-villa The Standard Huruvalhi’s quirky version of five star service does, perhaps, offer slightly more personality than most. Each villa has a lounge deck and plunge pool. You can snorkel in their protected house reef, or hide out at The Standard Spa, or graze between their various dining options.

And, in Manta Ray season, you can get a great view of these remarkable creatures as The Standard Huruvalhi is just 35 minutes by speedboat to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Hanifaru Bay, one of the best locations in the world to see Manta Rays. Still not close enough? That’s where the ‘Manta Snorkelling’ excursions come in, where guests who are certified divers can to swim alongside the rays and explore pristine marine ecosystems and uncover extraordinary dive sites… and those that aren’t certified, can take courses run by well-trained PADI Divemasters.

Manta Ray swimming excursions at The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives run from May to November, with prices starting at $250 per person for a two-and-a-half hour adventure. For more details, head to The Standard’s website. But then you probably guessed that, right?