Manta Resort
Pemba Island
Accommodation
Manta Resort has an elevated position overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Pemba Channel. It certainly has one of the best swimming beaches in the whole Zanzibar Archipelago and offers world class diving in a remote and mainly untouched environment. The Manta Team is seriously engaged in the protection of the underwater world and works with the local communities and the government through their Kwanini foundation.
Room types include the Underwater Room, 6 Sea Front Villas, 4 superior garden rooms and 4 standard garden rooms. The Sea Front Villas sit in the front row and offer a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean, whereas the garden rooms are set back and and do not offer the same level of comfort and view but come at a lower rate.
The Seafront Villas boast a spacious and private open-plan design, with an extended balcony and plunge pool. The beds are equipped with an EveningBreeze cooling system that provides comfort and temperature control without noise at night. During the day (and night) it is best to leave the front windows open, allow the sea breeze in and listen to the gentle noise of the waves washing ashore.
Both the standard garden rooms as well as the superior garden rooms have their own private garden with outside shower and a covered verandah at the front of the house.
Last but not least the famous Underwater Room, situated approximately 200m off shore floating above the Blue Hole, a circular gap in the coral reef that is 12 meters deep at high tide and is roughly 50 meters wide in diameter. The construction consists of the landing deck at sea level with lounge and bathroom, the top level which is like a roof top terrace, suited for sun bathing during the day and star gazing at night. And finally the underwater bedroom, surrounded by glass almost all around you, a truly immersive experience.
The main area has an elevated terrace where most meals are served. However the team is very flexible and your personal service fundi (host/butler) will also set a private table for you at the pool deck or at the beach for a change. In the evenings, the pool bar is an attractive place to start the evening with a cool drink, admiring the sun setting over the Pemba channel, before you proceed for dinner. The food at Manta is locally sourced and usually based on a three course dinner with a choice of a fish, meat or vegetarian option.
Location
Pemba Island is much less renowned and less frequented than its big sister Zanzibar further south. There are few accommodation options on the serene island of Pemba. The Manta Resort is located on the northern-most edge of Pemba Island. It is a 30-minutes flight from Zanzibar to Chaka Chaka airport, followed by a 90-minute road transfer to Manta Resort.
Activities
Manta Resort has a 5-star PADI dive centre on site. Dive sites are found on the outside of the reef in the Pemba channel. Diving in this region is characterized by exceptionally clear, blue water and still healthy reefs. A 25min to 35min boat ride south of Manta Resort, several dive sites at Fundo Gap and Njao Gap (the channels between Fundo & Njao Island & the main land) are known for exceptional diving as well.
Alternative activities include hand line fishing, deep sea fishing, lunch on a sandbank at low tide, snorkeling trips, sundowner trips with a traditional Ngalawa (double-outrigger canoe), visit to Ngezi Forest (25min drive) and other sites of interest on Pemba Island, or climb the light house from where the coast of Kenya is visible on clear days.
One spa visit per day at Kipepeo Spa is included in the rate.
Manta Resort on the map
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