The Manta Resort

A precious Indian Ocean gem

Escape to the Manta Resort and relax at one of the Indian Ocean's best kept secrets.

Situated on an idyllic beach on beautiful Pemba Island, the Manta Resort offers privacy and romance, as well as adventure and water sports, on one of East Africa's finest island sanctuaries.

Within rustic thatched buildings, strung in a meandering line through lush green gardens, choose from elegantly decorated beach-front rooms and spacious villas which blend perfectly with their tropical surroundings.

Or, for the ultimate in unique luxury and seclusion, opt for the resort's spectacular three-storey suite which floats in the ocean, tethered 250 metres from the shore. From the submerged bedroom you can gaze out into crystal clear water at the abundant shoals of reef fish and coral heads; you'll also enjoy a fully-stocked bar fridge and sunbathing (or stargazing) on the upper deck – a truly memorable, one-in-a-lifetime retreat.

Head to Kipepeo Spa for a selection of massages and treatments which will transport you to your most blissed out state, with the tranquil sounds of palm fronds rustling and waves gently breaking as a backdrop. Embrace your new pace of life with a tangy Lemongrass Ginger Sling cocktail or frosty beer as the soft breeze cools your skin, before taking a romantic walk along the beach and enjoying a candlelit dinner.

Hayes & Jarvis Rating

Average: 5 (1 vote)

Hotel Category

Luxury

TripAdvisor Review

519 Reviews

Read reviews

Hotel Gallery

Hotel Features

General Information

Check-in Time:
02:00
Check-out Time:
21:00
17 rooms
Transfer duration approximately 2 hours from Zanzibar Airport (flight & road transfer)

Main Facilities

Diving
Outdoor pool
Wifi

Accommodation Type

Authentic
Barefoot style
Iconic

Board Basis Options

All Inclusive

Hotel Location

Location Highlights

The Manta Resort

Approximately 2 hours from Zanzibar Airport (flight & road transfer)

519 Reviews

89% of travellers recommended this hotel

Traveller ratings

Excellent 429
Very Good 59
Average 19
Poor 9
Terrible 3

What to Expect

Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness

Reviews

Mar 23, 2020

Bucket List-Underwater Bungalow Room

Los Angeles, California

WOW! The underwater room (underwater bungalow) delivered with the most WPM (wows per minute) than any other hotel we've ever stayed at! Just that would have been enough but add to it amazing service (shout out to Khalfan our personal valet & the rest of the staff who all were so attentive) and great food (compliments to the chef). Amazing vistas from the seaview room (there is a 3-night minimum here if you want to spend at least one of those on the underwater bungalow)! I'd recommend 3-5 days. This is place is rustic and remote! Go there BEFORE a safari and the roads, nicknamed "an African massage" to get there will seem quite rudimentary. Go there AFTER (my recommendation) a safari and the roads will seem like a superhighway! Life is about perspective. The ride is 90 minutes in an air-conditioned Toyota Landcruiser with Rashi, a relatively quiet local. Would you check in to your home? Nope and no need to check in here. No reservation desk needed just start enjoying the vistas! The whole place holds 30 people max and it revolves around your time and your tastes! The only bad reviews here came from > 5 years ago so they obviously are constantly improving. One suggestion from me (& others) was to get WiFi in the rooms and that's what they're doing now - I mean right now that's one of their improvements that just started this week! Great communication from Jessica who is in Sweden (corporate based) so kudos to her! The tide can shift as much as 6 meters (18 feet) which is why you see differences in the vistas as you look out on the Indian Ocean. But the underwater room is always, well, underwater! I'm effusive over the highlight of our African trip but I'll stop there and recommend to put Tanzania Zanzibar's Pemba Island Manta Resort UnderWater Room (bungalow) on your bucket list NOW and then... JUST DO IT!

Feb 29, 2020

Perfect honeymoon

Ottawa, Canada

We had an amazing time at the Manta Resort for our honeymoon. We were blown away by the spectacular views and delicious Pemba spiced tea upon arrival. Our service fundi, Saidi, took incredible care of us. A highlight was when he set us up for dinner one night by the pool and we watched bush babies (small, nocturnal primates) playing in the trees. The resort is so small and intimate it seems all of the staff are invested in ensuring your stay is perfect. The food exceeded our expectations: spectacular fresh seafood seasoned with locally grown spices and fresh tropical fruit. Our night in the underwater from was truly an experience we will never forget. We loved laying out under the stars and sleeping with the fishes. The diving and snorkelling were wonderful, as was the sunset cruise, which we highly recommend. We saw dolphins! We also visited a local schoolroom started by Manta staff that provides extra math and English lessons to children in the village. In sum, it was the perfect honeymoon and we are already thinking about when we could go back.

Feb 23, 2020

Paradise with a fantastic ecological interest

London, United Kingdom

3 flights (from London) and a 1.5hr airport transfer, we arrive at somewhere that is truly spectacular…. From the moment you arrive at the resort you are welcomed by a such a warm and friendly team of Manta staff. We stayed for 8 nights but have could easily have stayed for another month without noticing the days themselves passing by. Rashid made us feel welcome from the very start, helping us all with everything possible throughout our stay. The all inclusive setup at the resort definitely sets a new standard by offering menu meals (rather than buffet style) for all 3 meals each day - giving you a much greater selection of the local dishes throughout your stay. The alcohol selection was also fantastic at the main and beach beer - great cocktails on offer and of course the thirst quenching ‘Kili’ beer always available. Needless to say, we ate and drank the days away.. We snorkelled 3 mornings where we got see the hotel’s ecological plans at work, coral rejuvenating and fish in abundance. We also took the sunset trip in the traditional fishing sailing boat as well as the sand bank trip - both are definitely worth it.. But the true highlight is the underwater room, we stayed there for 1 night. It’s absolutely spectacular!!! Everything from jumping off the roof, sitting on the deck watching the beautiful sunset and then there’s the room itself…. That room itself is worth making the trip for - you’re surrounded by aqua-nature… The resort itself is very well setup: great size rooms, a very welcoming reception bar area, a beautiful outdoor restaurant and spa. The one thing that really shines at the resort is the team of local Staff Matthew has recruited, they really make you feel at home from the moment you arrive - such a brilliant team!! They all made soo much effort to help us including changing our flights for us whilst we sat and drank their ‘strong’ tasty cocktails - a huge thanks to Juma (manager) for this and all the other help he gave us throughout our stay.

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Africa
Tanzania
Pemba Island

The Manta Resort

Facilities

Dive 360 Pemba Dive Center

Diving around Pemba Island is nothing short of spectacular, with untouched coral reefs surrounding the entire island. As one of the top dive sites in the world it is the perfect place to start your diving adventure. Expert dive instructors are available for any beginners wishing to take an interest in diving; Dive 360 is a payable-locally activity which can be arranged by the Manta Resort.

Kipepeo Spa

Qualified therapists welcome you to the Kipepeo Spa to enjoy daily treatments of your choice. One free treatment per day is included in your All Inclusive package so leave your worries behind and enjoy the wonderful spa.

Swimming Pool

Take a refreshing dip in the luxurious pool or soak up the sun, either in the open or under thatch, on the chaises. Enjoy a cooling drink from the bar.

Africa
Tanzania
Pemba Island

The Manta Resort

Room Types

Standard Garden Room

These open plan makuti thatched rooms are situated in the gardens of the resort and feature a king-sized bed covered by mosquito net, an en suite open plan bathroom and a comfortable verandah to relax on.

Note: Garden Rooms are not air conditioned but come with a ceiling fan.

Show room facilities

Balcony or Terrace
Separate Shower
Towels included

Superior Garden Room

Superior Garden Rooms are fully air conditioned and feature a four poster king-sized bed and private makuti thatch covered terrace. These rooms are interconnecting and therefore ideal for families.

Show room facilities

Air Conditioning
Balcony or Terrace
Separate Shower
Towels included

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Seafront Villa

The newly built, fully air conditioned seafront villas are both spacious and private, with king-sized bed and en suite bathroom. A secluded sun terrace is the perfect place to admire the spectacular ocean sunset.

Show room facilities

Air Conditioning
Balcony or Terrace
Sea View
Separate Shower
Towels included

Underwater Room

For a truly memorable and unique experience, opt to spend a night in Manta Resort's private floating island (for a supplement). Ideal for honeymooners or those that want a luxurious holiday experience, here you can recline in the under water bedroom situated four metres below the surface. Enjoy sunbathing and stargazing on the top deck, dine on the water deck and sleep surrounded by marine life in your double bedroom. The bathroom facilities include an open-air fresh water shower, a fully-functioning advanced marine toilet system that is eco-friendly, and a small hand-wash basin. In addition this spectacular accommodation option comes with environmentally friendly, biodegradable shower products and a fully-stocked bar fridge.

Show room facilities

Air Conditioning
Fridge
Separate Shower
Telephone
Towels included

Africa
Tanzania
Pemba Island

The Manta Resort

Food & Drink

The Restaurant at Manta Resort

A variety of mouth-watering meals, including fresh locally-caught seafood, beef, chicken and vegetable dishes, some of which have a distinct Pemba touch. A well-stocked bar and snacks are also available throughout the day.

Beach Lounge

Listen to the breaking of the waves with your feet buried into warm sands, while the soft breeze cools your skin. This really does feel like one of the most chilled places on the planet. The bartenders specialise in sundowners and cocktails and will spoil you with refreshing drinks all day and night.

Board Basis Options

All Inclusive

All inclusive at the Manta Resort really is all inclusive – even your laundry is covered! Meals are served to guests at their table on the verandah. Each guest is entitled to a daily spa treatment at the Kipepeo Spa. Scuba diving and any excursions you may wish to take part in are payable locally.

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The Manta Resort

A precious Indian Ocean gem

Hayes & Jarvis Rating

TripAdvisor Review

Hotel highlights

Hotel Gallery

Hotel Features

General Information

Main Facilities

Accommodation Type

Board Basis Options

Hotel Location

Location Highlights

The Manta Resort

Traveller ratings

What to Expect

Reviews

Bucket List-Underwater Bungalow Room

Perfect honeymoon

Paradise with a fantastic ecological interest

The Paradise of Africa

Beautiful resort with incredible snorkeling/diving and friendly staff!

The Manta Resort

Facilities

Dive 360 Pemba Dive Center

Kipepeo Spa

Swimming Pool

The Manta Resort

Room Types

Standard Garden Room

Superior Garden Room

Seafront Villa

Underwater Room

The Manta Resort

Food & Drink

The Restaurant at Manta Resort

Beach Lounge

Board Basis Options

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Try these inspiring itineraries

Tanzania and Zanzibar Multi Centre Holilday

South Africa and Zanzibar Multi Centre Holiday

Kenya and Zanzibar Multi Centre Holiday

Doha and Zanzibar Multi Centre

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