Nanuya Balavu Island · Yasawa Islands · Fiji

Reef adventures and unhurried island days

Wake near the sand, explore a colourful house reef and settle into the friendly rhythm of Mantaray Island Resort.

This relaxed Yasawa escape brings couples, families, friends and solo travellers together. Choose an air-conditioned beachfront villa or private bure, or keep things simple with a fan-cooled hideaway or shared dorm. Between May and October, guided manta-ray encounters add another reason to spend time on the water.

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Mantaray Island Resort along a palm-lined beach beside the house reef
Why stay at Mantaray?

A small island with plenty to discover

Mantaray is a good match for travellers who enjoy the outdoors, easy conversation and a holiday shaped by the sea.

The resort is on Nanuya Balavu Island in the Yasawas. Its reef has been protected as a voluntary marine reserve since 2003, with the support of neighbouring communities. Snorkelling, diving and paddling sit alongside cultural activities, walks and time by the shared pool.

We can help you balance comfort, budget and the right room for your group. The compulsory meal package is an important part of planning your stay, and optional activities and transfers need to be allowed for too.

A reef to explore, a deck to retreat to and island hospitality to bring it all together.
Accommodation

Find your place near the beach

Room styles differ in cooling, bathrooms, bedding and age rules. Tell us the ages of everyone travelling so we can confirm the best fit.

Private timber villa deck framed by tropical gardens at Mantaray Island Resort

Sunrise Beachfront Villas

Reserved for guests aged 16 and over, these freestanding villas combine a beachfront deck, air-conditioning, an adjoining lounge area and an outdoor bathroom. A lovely choice for couples or friends who want more space; the resort lists a maximum of four guests.

Beachfront Villas

Family-friendly, air-conditioned villas with open-plan living, a private deck and an outdoor shower. The lounge has sofa beds for additional guests. These villas can accommodate up to four, subject to the confirmed bedding and party composition.

Reef Bures

A private, air-conditioned option for two, with a deck and open-air ensuite. The beach and resort facilities are close by, making these bures an appealing base for couples who plan to spend plenty of time outside.

Family Reef Bures

Designed for up to three guests, with air-conditioning, an ensuite and outdoor shower. These suit a smaller family or friends travelling together. A family of four should ask us about a Beachfront Villa or another confirmed arrangement.

Seaside Bures

Simple, fan-cooled accommodation with a private balcony and ensuite, for up to three guests. Choose this category if you are comfortable with natural ventilation rather than air-conditioning.

Tree House Bures & Paradise Dorm

Tree House Bures are elevated, fan-cooled rooms for up to two, with shared bathrooms nearby. The air-conditioned Paradise Dorm offers a sociable bunk-bed stay with shared facilities. Ask us to confirm the most suitable option, age requirements and towel arrangements.

Shared pool, palm trees and beachfront at Mantaray Island Resort
Dining and downtime

Island flavours, with meals planned

Mantaray’s compulsory meal package covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a mix of Fijian and international dishes.

It is separate from a room-only rate, so we’ll make clear whether your holiday quote includes it or whether a balance is payable at the resort.

Child meal arrangements depend on age. An additional lunch can be needed around arrival or departure. Drinks, special dining and other extras are charged separately unless specifically included in your quote.

Share dietary requirements before booking so we can check what the kitchen can accommodate. For something special, ask about a romantic beachfront dinner. Between activities, enjoy the shared pool, beach bar or a paid treatment at the day spa.

The manta-ray season

A remarkable encounter in the channel

The usual manta-ray season runs from May to October.

A snorkeller observing a manta ray in clear blue water near Mantaray Island

Guided trips are booked on the island and operate when wildlife, conditions and the team’s safety assessment allow. Sightings and departures cannot be guaranteed.

This is a paid experience for confident swimmers aged five and over. Children aged 5–16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The channel has strong currents and must only be visited on the resort’s guided trip.

Equipment is supplied for the manta swim itself. A longer stay can give you more opportunities, although no number of nights can guarantee an encounter. Follow your guide’s instructions and give the animals space.

Explore the water

Snorkelling and diving

The house reef is a highlight, with guided snorkelling tours available at an additional charge. Check current equipment-hire arrangements; gear supplied for a manta excursion does not automatically cover the rest of your stay.

The SSI dive team offers introductory experiences, certification courses and guided dives for qualified divers. Diving is paid separately unless your package specifies otherwise. Certification, medical suitability, minimum ages and insurance requirements must be checked with the operator. Allow the required interval between your last dive and any flight.

Make it your holiday

Families, friends and island life

Kayaking, island walks and selected craft activities are among the complimentary options. Village visits, sunset tube cruises, fishing and other guided experiences can carry additional charges, with any village fees confirmed separately.

Families can enjoy shared adventures and beach time, but should plan around their children’s swimming ability and the practicalities of an island stay. Ask us to check any childcare needs before booking. Couples can combine active days with a private dinner or spa treatment; friends and solo travellers can join the changing social programme.

A paddleboarder and snorkeller above the reef at Mantaray Island Resort
Getting to Mantaray

Plan the island connection around your flights

By sea from Port Denarau

The scheduled high-speed catamaran travels from Port Denarau through the islands, followed by the resort’s local boat connection. Allow around three hours on the water as a guide; routing, timetables and conditions can change. A mainland overnight stay may be needed before or after your island holiday.

Ground transfers and air options

We can arrange a private road transfer between Nadi Airport or your mainland hotel and the marina. This is separate from the shared catamaran service. Helicopter transfers are another option, with a flight of approximately 30 minutes from Nadi, subject to availability, weather, daylight and baggage limits.

Ask for a separate quote if you want private marine or air arrangements. We’ll confirm the full journey, connection allowance and any applicable surcharges rather than assuming every included transfer is private.

Your Fiji holiday

Let’s put your Mantaray stay together

Our Fiji specialists can compare room options and arrange your meals, island transfers and any mainland stop. Offers vary by dates, availability and inclusions.

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Good to know

Mantaray Island Resort FAQs

No. Families are welcome in suitable accommodation. Sunrise Beachfront Villas are reserved for guests aged 16 and over. Room occupancies vary, so please give us every traveller’s age.

A meal package is compulsory, but it is not automatically included in every room rate. Your quote will show the meal arrangements and anything payable locally. Drinks and optional extras are additional unless expressly included.

The usual season is May to October. Paid guided tours are arranged onsite, subject to conditions and sightings. The activity is for confident swimmers aged five and over, with adult accompaniment required for ages 5–16.

No. Seaside Bures and Tree House Bures are fan-cooled. Tree House Bures and the Paradise Dorm use shared bathroom facilities. Villas and Reef Bures have different amenities, which we’ll confirm for your chosen category.

Wi-Fi is available in communal areas; coverage and speed can vary. The resort is cashless and card surcharges apply. A small amount of cash can be useful for an optional village visit, where local fees and handicraft purchases may be payable directly.

Please discuss your needs with us before booking. Boat boarding, beach landings, uneven paths and elevated accommodation can affect suitability. We’ll check the specific room, bathroom and transfer arrangements with the resort; step-free access should not be assumed.

Forever Fiji

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Photography courtesy of Mantaray Island Resort.