The Manta Resort

Rediscover your sense of wonder and serenity at this ethical beachfront boutique

Nestled within a turquoise ocean floor anomaly dubbed “the blue hole,” Manta Resort’s celebrated Underwater Room affords an unparalleled opportunity to observe and form an intimate connection with Pemba Island’s unique sea life. But that’s not all this charming 13-room boutique has to offer. From locally-designed and traditional Pemban decor, to all-inclusive spa treatments, to time-stopping white sand beaches, Manta Resort provides no shortage of restorative amenities designed to help you relinquish your worries to the boundless tranquility of the sea.

 

More than just an idyllic getaway, Manta Resort is also a primary sponsor for the Kwanini Foundation, a local nonprofit which directs funds toward social and environmental initiatives such as the Kwanini Marine Protected Area and Mnarani Water Pipeline. With its outstanding commitment to community-based tourism, guests can rest assured that a stay at Manta Resort is an investment toward the collective flourishing of all residents of Pemba Island.

Highlights & Activities

Snorkel for conservation
Take advantage of the resort’s exclusive house reef within the Kwanini Conservation Area, completely undisturbed by outsiders and home to one of East Africa’s most diverse ecosystems. Set out before breakfast and experience the vast marine life and crystal clear tropical waters of Pemba Island. All revenues are donated to the local conservation committee and rangers, with options for both near reef and far reef snorkeling excursions.
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Kipipeo Spa at The Manta Resort
Unwind at the complimentary jungle spa
A truly all-inclusive experience, any stay at Manta Resort includes one complimentary treatment per guest per day at the resort’s luxurious Kipepeo Spa. Restore your aching muscles after a long day of rigorous excursions, and drift into the ultimate relaxation to the sounds of twittering jungle life and breaking ocean waves below.
Cruise at sunset on a traditional Ngalawa
An Ngalawa is a traditional outrigger sailing canoe used by the Swahili people in Zanzibar and the Tanzanian coast. Depart just before sundown on this exhilarating shoreline cruise, accompanied by local fishing captain Ali and a bottle of bubbly. All sailing fees paid directly to the captain.
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Experience pristine solitude on a private sandbank
A 10 minute boat ride from Manta Resort, off the northernmost point of Pemba Island, lies a hidden white coral sandbank that’s only accessible at low tide. Feel the surreal solitude of being surrounded by nothing but the azure open sea, taking along and leaving nothing behind except your footsteps on the sand. Subject to tides, currents and weather conditions.
Explore Pemba Island on an inland safari
Venture beyond the Manta Resort grounds for this expansive cultural excursion, where you’ll get to visit numerous points of interest including the ancient Ngezi rainforest, local spice farm and more. A whole day trip takes about 8 hours, but each safari is customizable according to each guests’s personal interest and time availability.
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Regenerative Impact

Manta Resort keeps their Kwanini — their why — at the heart of everything they do. From protecting marine life to investing in local infrastructure, Manta Resort’s community-grounded mission helps it foster strong social and environmental initiatives, and the collective flourishing for all of Pemba’s inhabitants. 

Manta Resort Underwater Room Overhead Drone
With 95% of employees hired from the local community and 100% of its workforce under permanent contract, Manta Resort is dedicated to developing its human capital, investing in and providing rewarding training opportunities to help employees bolster their skill sets and expertise. Career advancements are encouraged (e.g., the head chef started at Manta Resort as a security guard), and staff are empowered to interact with guests without any formal hierarchy, creating an atmosphere of equality and mutual respect.
Locally sourced and natural materials decorate each of Manta Resort’s villas, from the coral stone floors to the thatch roofing to the landscaping bedecked with indigenous plant species. Driven by the belief that the village is not a commodity to sell to tourists — but rather its own living and vibrant ecosystem — cultural education and reciprocity lie at the core of the Manta Resort experience, and service fundi village tours are only operated upon invitation and at Manta Resort employees’ own discretion.
In partnership with Kwanini Foundation, Manta Resort channels its appreciation for the extraordinary biodiversity that surrounds it through extensive conservation and restoration programs both on and offshore. Working with local community, government and tourism industry stakeholders, Manta Resort has safeguarded the Kwanini Marine Protected Area and is working toward goals of maintaining healthy fish populations, protecting reefs from exploitation, and promoting the natural regeneration of 100% of the reef flat and lagoon throughout the KMPA and beyond.
Over the past five years, Manta Resort and the Kwanini Foundation have invested in several important community projects, from specific community requests like the sponsorship of the local football team trophy, to the donation of land and the building of a new police station, to the more challenging developments of the Mnarani and Njao water pipelines. A $30 Impact Donation per person is included with every booking and helps to fund the Foundation’s conservation and community work, preserving and restoring the local ecosystems on which Manta Resort relies.

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Stories featuring The Manta Resort

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Pioneering in Pokhara, Nepal: The Story of Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Historically a commercial hub connecting India and Tibet, Pokhara evolved to be a metropolitan city with far more to offer than just trade. Tucked into the Himalayas and sitting on the picturesque Phewa Lake, Pokhara let nature lead the way. The name for Nepal’s second largest city comes from the Nepali word “Pokhari” meaning “pond” so it’s no surprise that natural formations are Pokhara’s greatest protagonist.

Pioneering in Pokhara, Nepal: The Story of Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Historically a commercial hub connecting India and Tibet, Pokhara evolved to be a metropolitan city with far more to offer than just trade. Tucked into the Himalayas and sitting on the picturesque Phewa Lake, Pokhara let nature lead the way. The name for Nepal’s second largest city comes from the Nepali word “Pokhari” meaning “pond” so it’s no surprise that natural formations are Pokhara’s greatest protagonist.

Celebrating Wythe Hotel as the first New York Regenerative Hotel™ member leading the way in urban regeneration

Wythe Hotel is the first hotel member in New York for Regenerative Travel, a community of hotels dedicated to regenerative tourism. The hotel’s undertaking of regenerative hospitality is evident through its efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By preserving history, promoting inclusivity, restoring ecosystems, reducing waste, and prioritizing health and well-being, Wythe Hotel is contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all

Regenerative Leadership and Flow Consciousness with Jennine Cohen, Co-founder of Women Travel Leaders

Have you ever stopped to consider the incredible power you possess within yourself to achieve a state of flow consciousness and experience true regeneration? It’s a remarkable journey that begins within you. Picture yourself tapping into your inner reserves of energy and focus, aligning your thoughts and actions with your deepest passions and values. As you do so, you begin to feel a sense of clarity and purpose that propels you forward with unstoppable momentum.

Pioneering in Pokhara, Nepal: The Story of Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Historically a commercial hub connecting India and Tibet, Pokhara evolved to be a metropolitan city with far more to offer than just trade. Tucked into the Himalayas and sitting on the picturesque Phewa Lake, Pokhara let nature lead the way. The name for Nepal’s second largest city comes from the Nepali word “Pokhari” meaning “pond” so it’s no surprise that natural formations are Pokhara’s greatest protagonist.

Celebrating Wythe Hotel as the first New York Regenerative Hotel™ member leading the way in urban regeneration

Wythe Hotel is the first hotel member in New York for Regenerative Travel, a community of hotels dedicated to regenerative tourism. The hotel’s undertaking of regenerative hospitality is evident through its efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By preserving history, promoting inclusivity, restoring ecosystems, reducing waste, and prioritizing health and well-being, Wythe Hotel is contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all

Regenerative Leadership and Flow Consciousness with Jennine Cohen, Co-founder of Women Travel Leaders

Have you ever stopped to consider the incredible power you possess within yourself to achieve a state of flow consciousness and experience true regeneration? It’s a remarkable journey that begins within you. Picture yourself tapping into your inner reserves of energy and focus, aligning your thoughts and actions with your deepest passions and values. As you do so, you begin to feel a sense of clarity and purpose that propels you forward with unstoppable momentum.

Key Lessons from 3 Caribbean Hotels Leading the Way in Regenerative Practices

We explore leading examples of regenerative tourism practices being implemented by three Caribbean hotels such as Hamanasi Resort in Belize, Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia and Rockhouse Hotel in Jamaica at our panel discussion hosted by Davines in Brooklyn, New York. These organizations are not only adopting regenerative practices, but they are also helping to educate people on the importance of sustainability and creating programs to put regulations in place.

Hotel Location

The Manta Resort

Perched atop the northern leftmost tip of the remote island of Pemba, with a population of fewer than 500,000, Manta Resort offers the perfect peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of mainland Tanzania and neighboring Unguja. Unplug from noise, pressure and pollution and find home in the simple comforts of nature at Manta Resort home to the Kwanini Foundation-run Marine Protected Area and all the unspoilt coral reefs, pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear ocean waters that comes with it.

Hotel Address

Pemba Island, Zanzibar

Closest Airport

Pemba Airport (PMA)

Travel Time From Airport

1.5 hours

RT+ Membership Perks

Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 minimum night stay

Receive a free guided snorkel in our conservation area, we will then be happy to talk all about our conservation efforts and community projects. One of the Manta family will be happy to tell our story and talk about what Kwanini (why) means to us and our Kwanini Foundation.
– We offer one spa treatment per person per day in our barefoot spa by the beach
– Special surprise (a free sunset cruise or perhaps a romantic dinner on the beach)

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