The Manta Resort & Underwater Room - Pemba Island

Definitely the best resort we have stayed at . I can't say enough about the extreme quality of everything. The staff, the food, the spa, the beach bar everything was above my expectations. We snorkel every day both with a guide and on our own. Saw lots of fish octopus,moray and several fish I had never seen before. In the evening it was pleasant to sit in the beach bar visit the locals and watch them play football on the beach in front.

Perfect stay at Manta Resort, one of the best hotel I have done. Service is amazing, rooms are spacious and great view. Food is excellent. 2 bars for drink. All included. Kids discovered scuba diving for the first time. Diving is excellent matching Maldives or the best places in Asia.

Best holiday, best swimming right around your room… like literally 😂
Service was great… housekeeping made a turn and brought nice food… for sure beat Holiday

Spent a fantastic 6 nights at this wonderful resort in early November, including one night in the amazing underwater bedroom. I also learnt to scuba dive (PADI Open Water course), after completing the online training at home beforehand. The "snorkeling for conservation" experience was fantastic too and well worth getting up early for!

TL;DR: A unique unforgettable experience amidst a naval blue scenery. A must-try for any adventurer. I stayed in the resort for 3 days and it was one of the best vacations in my life.

The resort location and rooms: amazing breathtaking views from the terrace and the Seafront villa to the changing blue colors of the sea, the rooms had a very clean and perfect-temperature plunge pool, a very comfortable high-tech bed with cooling and heating options to your liking, and all-in-all the room was very neat and clean and had all the needed amenities for a relaxing experience.

The underwater room: My 2nd day and night was in the underwater room. You check in at 2pm after lunch, the room is 250m into the sea (getting there by boat), surrounded by coral reef so I got to snorkel around before sunset - amazing! I enjoyed the sunset on the roof which is the best possible way I can imagine to enjoy it in such a paradise. The seefood dinner meal was brought to the room and was excellent like all other meals. Then the whole night I slept so little because of the excitement watching all sorts of fish in the underwater room, you see so much fauna activity that you can't ever see snorkeling or even diving. In the morning - breakfast served also to the room and then check out at 11am. All in all - extraordinary, unlike anything other I've experienced, a must-try.

Resort services and hospitality: In one word - extraordinary. Inclusive with the room - all meals, all drinks and alcohol, laundry service and one massage, also gear for diving and snorkeling. All this makes it very well worth the cost. The staff is super attentive and helpful, always mindful of the guests comfort (e.g. immediate and fast service at the lounge and bars). The meals are excellent, fine-dining level consiting of fish catch-of-the-day most times, some interesting fruity deserts and local bread and paste starters - wonderfull. Laundry, cleaning and massage services were all superb.

The Pemba Inland excursion: Seeing mostly Pemba-only trees and plants in Ngezi Forest and spice plantation, and getting a thorough detailed expleanation about those is enough for a wholesome worthy excursion. But I also had luch seeing a snake and some monkeys, so I was as happy as I could be after the tour.

The Ngalawa sunset excursion: unique opportunity to enjoy a sail boat, with a short stop at a quiet beach, another perfect way to enjoy the sunsets in this amazing place.

The Sandbank excursion: Awesome. A special sand bank opening up when the tide is low. The lunch was served and cooked in the spot and was astonishing.

Fishing trip: Early-morning (6am) trip I took to learn fishing from the excellent and knowledgeable fishermen Said and Simba. They were great teachers and although we did not catch any big game fish - we caught a lot of cool small fish and I learned their technique which makes fishing relatively easy and fun :)

Many huge thanks to all the staff for making this experience so special!

hi, today we pass manta resort hotel there very racist, we came from kangale and went there to get coffee, they refused to let us in, i think because we are black people, this is the problem with our leaders giving land to people who don't deserve it and also i want the people to know that and to know this is our country we have right to be at an hotel in Zanzibar

This has got to one of the most exclusive resorts I have been to - you won’t find it on Agoda! The adventure starts with a 1.5 hour ride from the airport, through the island - villages and a forest - before reaching paradise.

We were blown away by the experience which is hard to put into words. What strikes you as you settle in is how serene and peaceful it is.

The underwater room in the middle of the ocean was amazing and the snorkelling was really enjoyable thanks to the guide who continuously pointed out the flora and fauna along the coral reef.

Food was wholesome and equally delicious. In the photos, the catch of the day was flavoured well (had a Thai twist to it) followed by a fruit salad topped with icecream.

The Marine Protected Area within which Manta sits is managed well by the Kwanini Foundation and is a no-take zone for the most part which means it is flourishing as a breeding area for marine life. Turtle nesting spots also not too far off. Dolphin sightings not uncommon either. The local rangers who patrol the area ensure it is preserved and appreciated together with the local communities and fishers.

Our stay in the Manta Resort was magical. Its location makes you feel like you have arrived in an isolated spot of paradise. The hotel is beautiful, surrounded by scenic views of exotic vegetation and turquoise water. The chef changes the menu everyday so every meal is fresh and delicious, and the hotel staff is professional and thoughtful. There is the possibility to do various activities at the hotel such as diving, snorkeling and visiting nearby sea banks by boat. Every day at Manta resort was wonderful and it is will be forever graved in our memories.

Amazing place. The underwater room is a once in a lifetime experience. Staff went over and beyond to make sure the guests have everything they need and more. 10/10

We ended our safari honeymoon at the Manta Resort and had the most amazing time. The team at Manta was so attentive and showed us so much love during our trip. Our guide during our stay was Haji and he is a true friend after our time there. He made our stay so perfect and helped us set up Ngalawa sailing cruises, snorkeling trips and the most amazing meals.

Staying at Manta felt like staying at your (very generous) friends compound. We felt so at home the entire time and were really able to relax completely. Our room was impeccable and the plunge pool is an absolute must. Coming back to that after a long day of snorkeling, eating delicious meals and laying on the beach was truly magic.

The food was completely amazing. If you are a seafood lover, the Manta definitely provides that. My husband had the seafood option for lunch and dinner every day for 9 days and each seemed to be more amazing than the last. The non-seafood options were also really delicious. From filet for dinner to a chicken sandwich that I’m still thinking about for lunch, every single thing we ate was amazing.

The Manta Resort is truly a slice of paradise. I should also mention the conservation and development work they do with the local community and reef ecosystem through the Kwanini Foundation. The team at Manta is really trying to make a difference and it shows.

We stayed at Manta for our honeymoon in Tanzania. It was an experience that was truly beautiful. From the moment we landed in Pemba our driver was there to collect us and take us on a magical drive through the island. You feel completely entranced by the greenery and the country roads with smiling locals. Special thanks to the family at manta, particularly, Jumuah who welcomed us warmly with freshly roasted cashew nuts looking over the ocean. The team went over and beyond to accommodate us, there were loads of activities like fishing on the local boats setting off early in the morning to catch tuna which the team then prepared for us for lunch. The underwater room, there are not enough words to describe this experience!

To everyone who is considering Manta, it’s an absolute yes!

Thank you again to the Manta Family!

Sincerely
Mervet & Etienne

This place is magical - serene, peaceful, beautiful - we came here for our honeymoon and felt like we arrived in paradise. The food was phenomenal, the meals were prepared daily with the catch of the day, the service was excellent, the dive shop is very experienced, and knowledgeable. The underwater room is so worth it, you will be amazed by it!!! I can't say enough good things about the Manta resort. If you are looking for a magical tropical getaway, you have come to the right place!!!

I am not a person who writes reviews but this resort is heavenly. The staff is so incredibly sweet and attentive, the property is pristine— tropical plants everywhere, stunning ocean views of essentially a private beach during high tide (so every day). I stumbled upon this gem while staying on Zanzibar, exploring options of what to do for a week and let’s just say Pemba ruins everything else for you because it’s so pristine and peaceful. (There’s no Wi-Fi beyond the main lodge but it’s designed that way to disconnect. The Wi-Fi there is extremely speedy anyways and if you have a Zantel sim/ service you’ll be covered everywhere.) The food is delicious. I wish I could have brought the chef home to cook for me daily. Also, shoutout to Lucas who is the sweetest, and caring staff member.

This is Paradise...the only way to describe it!!!

It takes a good hour and a half to get here from the small airport at Pemba!! You might be thinking oh God that is long...but let me tell you it’s completely worth it. Once you enter the lobby you will understand why...

The staff is one of the most courteous and cheerful staff I have ever met!!! Each and every person is amazing and helpful, they really want you to relax and have a good time

We had the pleasure of staying in the underwater room and it was just spectacular, we hardly slept because we were just looking out to see all the marine life...if you are traveling this far it is a must...

The food was amazing...

Off the beaten path and just simply amazing, we will be back!!!!

Honeymooned here. Manta has probably the best beach on the island & the houses are slightly less luxurious than the other resort on the island!
The cruise & picnic on a small little white sand island is one of our top moments together with our day spent in a small Christian school. The staff & owners are all extremely nice

A wonderful oasis after a long safari. Very relaxing, kind and helpful staff, great food. If you go, DO NOT MISS OUT on the underwater room. It means more money, but well worth the experience. Many who stay a few nights stay one night in the underwater room.

I did not stay in the hotel however I dived with them. The hotel staff were very helpful and the dive instructor was very patient and passionate about diving and the underwater conservation of Pemba Island. The visibility was not great at this time of the year but i could still really enjoy the dives, in particular Scorpions Secret dive site which is located within the conservation area established by the hotel.

this place is what your inner visions are made of. Close your eyes and dream. This is what will appear. If you are familiar with Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” you will instantly and emotionally connect with Manta Resort and Pemba Island. If not – make sure you read and digest it. You long to take the road less travelled, you (like most people) often think about it. But rarely do. Pemba is a rare gem. A remote tropical and pristine island off the east coast of Africa, untouched by mass tourism. Home to compassion, simplicity and time. But simplicity does not necessarily exclude luxury. Or as we call it – “real luxury”. The Manta Resort is situated at the northern tip of the island. It is for the dedicated, the true explorers with an urge to find a home where there is heart and purpose. It is for those who will endure the extra bumpy mile to discover a haven of non-polluted serenity, of silence, solitude and inclusion. Where you are greeted as family, not as a stranger or a tourist. A different reality, closer to nature, closer to the true you. A home of friendliness, sunshine, natural food, superior service, fresh air, diving in crystal clear waters and timeless existence. A five-star retreat at the end of the road you are about to take.

We stayed at Manta Resort June 2015. Loved the Manta - we got great service, looked after and left alone exactly the way we like it. The Lodge is very comfortable and there is great feel of the island in its touches. The Manta employs locals from the island and this ensures you leave feeling touched by the Swahili speaking angels who truly seem to live by the "slowly slowly - Pole Pole" outlook - always calm and full of the happiness of the moment. Mathew the owner was on hand to ensure our experiences were the best they could be - even joining in on some of the dives with the boys and planning an extra night dive in the moment. Hadje our "personal butler" is one of a kind with a great ability to serve our needs but yet his warmth and presence everyday was something we looked forward to. Captain Ali our colourful tour guide who took us out on the Dhows was also a highlight. The Manta resort is exactly what we were looking for - solitude, adventure, natural and true to an island adventure style holiday. Don't expect a hotel chain approach here its all real, natural and local with some generous touches i.e. service on the beach, drinks all day with nothing on account and 3 generous meals per day which we seemed to never get tired of. Thanks for letting us feel we owned an island for a week and mixed with the locals, ate from the sea and played in the sun. A family trip worth the investment.

The Manta Resort is located on the most amazing beach in Pemba with spectacular views of the ocean from the main dining area and the beach bar.

Each room is spacious, clean and comfortable and everyone at the resort makes you feel at home.

Manta has a great SCUBA dive center with some of the best diving spots in the world, there is also a snorkel trail in-front of the resort which take out daily trips.

The whole team at Manta are very conscious about conserving the coral reefs around Pemba and very knowledgeable about their surrounding environment.

Price: for a double room underwater it's 1700$.

Don't miss the village visit with Sele, a wonderful human being who is doing great things for his community.

The drive from the airport is a bit bumpy 90mins.

Recommended to spend honeymoons.