Barefoot Manta Island Resort
Google 4.4/5 (515 reviews)
1.7 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Yawasa Island · Fiji
4.61,182 Google reviewsMantaray Dive LTD
Dive across more than 40 diverse sites in the Yasawa Islands, including the chance to encounter manta rays in a protected marine park.
What sets this centre apart
- Access to over 40 dive sites within 20 minutes of the resort
- SSI affiliated dive centre with a dedicated instructor team
- Opportunities to swim with manta rays in a protected marine park
- Night diving is available at various local sites
- Diverse accommodation ranging from dorms to beachfront villas
- Manta ray sightings most frequent from May to October
- Vibrant house reef available for snorkeling and easy diving
- Direct access to the Yasawa Islands via high-speed catamaran
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Mantaray Dive LTD about the centre
Mantaray Dive Ltd is situated on Nanuya Balavu Island within Fiji's Yasawa Islands. The centre is positioned amidst a vast network of marine environments, with over 40 dive sites reachable within 20 minutes of the resort. The surrounding waters are known for their clarity and the abundance of life found within the local coral gardens and protected marine parks.
The location offers a diverse range of diving experiences, from relaxed reef explorations to more dynamic drift dives. The area is particularly noted for its nutrient-rich channels that attract large pelagics, making it a significant destination for those looking to see manta rays in their natural habitat.
The club and its team
The dive centre is affiliated with SSI and operates with a dedicated team of instructors. They manage a variety of diving activities including night dives and introductory programmes for those new to the water.
The team focuses on providing tailored experiences across the many local sites. Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or explore the deeper walls and wrecks of the Yasawas, the instructors are equipped to guide you through the local conditions.
The centre at a glance
- Affiliation
- SSI
- Certification level
- Instructor Training Center
- Website available in
- English
- Night diving
- Yes
- Access and transfers
- Access to Mantaray Island Resort is available by high-speed catamaran, seaplane, or helicopter from Nadi. The Yasawa Flyer catamaran departs Port Denarau Marina daily at 8:45 am, arriving at Mantaray Island Resort at 11:30 am. It returns from the resort at 3:00 pm, arriving back at Port Denarau Marina at approximately 6:00 pm. Standard fares are FJD 210 per adult and FJD 137 per child (ages 2–15) one way. An upgrade to the Captain’s Lounge is available for FJD 265 per adult and FJD 172 per child (ages 2–15) one way, including complimentary tea, coffee, snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, and free Wi-Fi. Helicopter flights from Nadi take 30 minutes. The resort is located on Nanuya Balavu Island, Yasawa Islands, Fiji.
- Accommodation
- Mantaray Island Resort offers a diverse range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly dorms to beachfront villas. Options include Sunrise Beachfront Villas (adults-only, FJD 788/night), Beachfront Villas (FJD 537/night), Reef Bures (FJD 514/night), Family Reef Bures (FJD 492/night), Seaside Bures (FJD 428/night), Tree House Bures (FJD 207/night), and Paradise Dorm (FJD 73/night). All accommodations are serviced daily, and linen is provided. Towels are available for hire in shared spaces/dorms for FJD $5/day (max FJD $15) plus a refundable FJD $15 security deposit. Wi-Fi is available in communal areas.
- Phone
- +679 776 6351
Courses on offer
The centre offers SSI training programmes, starting with the Try Dive for those looking to experience the underwater world for the first time. They provide a full range of certifications to take you from a novice to a proficient diver.
Dive sites with Mantaray Dive LTD
The house reef is a vibrant area suitable for snorkeling and easy reef explorations. It provides immediate access to soft corals and a variety of marine life right from the resort.
The manta ray feeding channels offer a unique opportunity to dive in nutrient-rich waters. These sites are subject to strong currents, which are ideal for observing the large rays as they feed on plankton.
Marine life around Yawasa Island
The reefs are home to a wide variety of fish, including clownfish, parrotfish, and remoras. You will also encounter reef sharks and various species of turtles throughout the dive sites.
Between May and October, the area becomes a premier destination for manta rays, with the possibility of seeing rare albino manta rays. These large pelagics are drawn to the nutrient-rich channels where plankton is concentrated.
The marine landscape is defined by its vibrant coral gardens and soft corals, providing a complex habitat for the local fauna. These structures support a high level of biodiversity across the 40 available dive sites.
Diving conditions
The manta ray feeding channels are known for having strong currents, which is a key feature of the drift diving in this area. Snorkel tours are specifically designed to allow guests to float with these currents to observe the mantas.
Seasonal patterns play a significant role in the local marine activity, particularly regarding the presence of large pelagics in the channels.
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Your last day stays dry: no diving in the 18-24 hours before a flight, the perfect window to see the destination from another angle.
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