Mantaray Island Resort

All in all we had a great stay, it’s a great resort and a slightly cheaper alternative to the other hotels on the islands around. The pizza and reef are amazing. Still, the resort is quite stretched, especially to go to the toilets from the tree houses is too far and all in all just not as well equipped (e.g. missing aircon) as other resorts. Its probably more suitable for younger travelers who also look for evening programms.

Great stay, the treetop house was super cute and less than 30sec walk to the beach. Make sure you do the Village Walk, 100% worth it!

The resort was in a lovely location but is a little tired, understandable after covid. Even after a few emails requesting a double bed close to the beach they did not have one arraigned for us, they had put us in a Bure up the hill. I have tendinitis in my knees so that was never going to work. In the end they put my husband and I in a Bure with twin beds closer to the beach - not at all romantic! The meal plan was really expensive but the food was plentiful, unfortunately the restaurant was up the hill so it was a painful effort on my behalf for each meal. Unlike other resorts that we stayed in this resort required a daily fuel surcharge and we also had to pay a hire fee for fins. They did not put on Manta ray trips on either of the 2 days that we stayed there although there were Manta rays in the channel both of those days. Unimpressed. Luckily we had also booked nights at Barefoot Manta Ray Resort so ended up swimming with the mantas which was our sole reason for going. To be fair other people staying at MRIR said that they had been taken on Manta trips earlier in the week so I have no idea why they told us that there were no mantas on the 2 days that we were there - Barefoot Manta Resort said that on one of the days there had in fact been 7. This resort is much more of a backpacker resort although the high cost of the meal plan would give most backpackers a second thought.

I don't know where to start. This place is marketed as Eco resort, what you get is very old, basic and dirty. This place is marketed as Fijian ownership, its owned by 2 South Africans. The staff are working very hard and are absolutely lovely, stay was a big disappointment. False advertising for sure.

1–9 May 2025 | 54YO M, 49YO F, Open Water SSI 7th Yasawas Trip – First Time at Mantaray Island Resort We’ve visited the Yasawas several times, but this was our first stay at Mantaray Island Resort—and it won’t be our last! From start to finish, everything was well-organised and ran smoothly. The staff were warm, friendly, and incredibly efficient, and the resort itself was tidy and well maintained. Our Beachfront Villa was a highlight—modern, clean, and spacious, with air conditioning (a big plus in the tropics) and a fantastic shower. Housekeeping was attentive and friendly throughout our stay. We also had a peek at the new villas currently being finished—they look stunning and could definitely tempt us back if the pricing is right. The food at Mantaray was a standout—easily the best we’ve had in the Yasawas to date. While not cheap, it was worth every dollar. The à la carte menu offered plenty of mouthwatering choices, and it was often hard to decide between the many delicious options. Presentation and quality were consistently excellent. The walk up to the restaurant is manageable for most but might be a challenge for those with mobility issues. As divers, we were especially impressed by the dive operation. The dive shop is professionally run, with top-quality equipment and a wide selection of 40 dive sites. Despite some windy weather, the team always found safe and scenic spots. We completed 11 dives—and each was unique. The underwater landscapes were spectacular, with vibrant coral gardens, dramatic swim-throughs, and regular turtle sightings. Special mention to Wise, an outstanding dive instructor and guide—knowledgeable, approachable, and a great judge of skill and comfort levels. Tivita kept the logistics running smoothly with good humour and efficiency. All in all, Mantaray Island Resort exceeded our expectations. It’s a well-rounded, beautifully run resort with excellent diving, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere. We’re already thinking about returning—possibly even later this year if we can snag a good deal!