The Manta Resort

The Manta Resort sits on the northern tip of Pemba Island, just off the coast of Zanzibar.

The most extraordinary room comes in the form of the Underwater Room, your own private island off the coast of Pemba. Plunging four metres beneath the surface of the sea in a glass-cased chamber, you can watch all manner of marine life swim around you with 360° views from your underwater bedroom. The landing deck features a lounge and bathroom, and there’s another deck above which is the perfect spot for sunbathing by day and stargazing by night.

If you’d prefer to stay the night on terra firma, choose from the Superior Garden Rooms, the Seafront Villas or Standard Garden Rooms, which have plenty of space and character and are set in the gardens and by the ocean.

Relish delicious dishes like freshly-caught seafood, and dine wherever you please: on the main terrace overlooking the turquoise sea, by the pool or on the white-sand beach. Be whisked off to a secluded sandbank at low tide for a picnic on the purest of sands, surrounded by impossibly clear waters. Or, if you’re staying in the Underwater Room, have your meals brought to you and dine in the middle of the sea.

Indulge in a soothing massage or beauty treatment with the calming sounds of the ocean nearby, laze by the outdoor pool, or sunbathe on the gorgeous stretch of powder-white beach. 

If you’re looking for a little more action, this is an excellent spot to learn how to dive, with a water temperature of around 26°C and amazing visibility at a depth of up to 30-40 metres - there’s even a training pool split over two levels. Otherwise, head out to sea on a sunset cruise or a traditional sailing dhow, or explore inland and hike through the Ngezi Forest Reserve to spot a plethora of endemic bird species, such as Pemba sunbirds, green pigeons and scops owls.