The location is excellent, the service great, the staff very friendly, the activities (snorkelling, swimming, diving, sailing, walks, spa) amazing, and the value good. It is just let down by the very basic rooms (applies to garden room, not sure about the others). They are badly needing an update. They don't have mosquito netting or glass windows you can close (some big bugs came in) and the toilet is a bit grim. Luckily we did not expend that much time in the room as there is plenty to do around. A lovely place all together.

I was part of a film crew that did some filming at The Manta Resort this year. From early on, speaking with Mike and Stacey, we felt very comfortable about using the Underwater room as one of the locations. They were easy to communicate with, very reliable and they helped us a lot with ground logistics on the day of filming. Without Mikes knowledge and connections, we might not have been able to film some of the scenes we wanted to!

Even though it was peak season, and we had a lot to accomplish on the day, the team at Manta were very accommodating. We had lunch and dinner at the resort and the food was fantastic (The best fish i have had in Tanzania). They even prepared a breakfast early in the morning, even though we gave them late notice. They really did go above and beyond to make sure we were looked after. My guests that stayed in the Underwater room said it was the best room they have ever stayed in, and fell asleep watching the stars.

Thank you all for a great experience, i will be back,

Eric

Reading through some of the reviews below, I simply cannot believe that I visited the same place that some previous travellers felt the need to slander online.

We arrived in July for a getaway with my new husband and were greeted like a long lost friends. After a quick run down of how things work at the resort, every sentence seemed to end with "were are here for you" and "please feel free". Man did they mean it! Our personal service fundi Hadji (what a treat) was the perfect guide to this beautiful island, accompanying us to the forest and Vumawimbi beach - we even had the pleasure of being introduced to his new wife in the village.
For travellers looking for 5* luxury in a formal and sterile environment - THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU! What you will find at Manta is a staff who truly care. The rooms are basic, comfortable, clean and cool with a GREAT view even from the Standard garden rooms. Even though we were travelling on a tight budget, we were made to feel like absolute VIP's with every request granted (even having that early morning cup of coffee being brought to the room.) and an included Spa treatment each and every single day of our trip.

The food is a complicated one, I have a new appreciation for grocery shopping. After realizing the forward planning and effort it takes for such a remote location to offer the food it does, was amazing. Never mind that but the kitchen staff & head chef are actually native to the island - which is something to be so proud of, i'm sure hiring another expat would have been a lot easier and quicker, but that would take away from what this place seems to stand for. Having a guy from Pemba actually making you a traditional Swahili meal, there's something special in that. Otherwise, the fish is fresh and the beers are cold.

Now we have to be honest. Having lived in Africa our whole lives, we generally avoid places / resorts that market themselves as 'African'. With their kitch orange pillows, creepy looking masks, jumbo-jumbo music being played on repeat, and Masai outfits on men who aren't even Masai - the typically marketed 'Africa for tourists' BUT if every holiday destination was as authentic as this, we would travel Africa a lot more! The most unusual aspect of this resort is its relationship with the island, it is true to Pemba, its people, and its inhabitants, down to the bushbaby at the coffee station or the friendly gecko's enjoying those mosquitos for dinner.

Would definitely go back!

Just a tip, the time of year makes a difference, people don't often realize Africa has a version of winter as well. Apparently November & March are awesome times for diving!