Mantaray Island Resort - Nanuya Balavu Island

Beachfront resort on Nanuya Balavu Island with exclusive manta ray encounters and SSI dive certifications

Accommodations

Mantaray Island Resort offers a choice of private beachfront villas, including adult-only luxury villas with outdoor showers and direct beach access. Garden Bures provide a comfortable king bed, air conditioning, and a stone bathroom with an outdoor shower under the stars. Seaside Bures and Reef Bures are steps from the ocean, each with a hammock and sun loungers, while Treehouse Bures sit among the trees with shared bathroom facilities.

Dining

The restaurant at Mantaray Island Resort serves Fijian, Indian, and European cuisine, with daily menu options including kokoda, poached fish with Fijian curry, and Indian pork belly. Once a week, the chef prepares an authentic Fijian lovo underground barbecue followed by a traditional Meke performance by staff. Guests can also swap lunch for a wood-fired pizza by the pool, and the bar offers cocktails from friendly bartenders like Eliki and Mili.

Activities and Entertainment

The resort is the only property in the Yasawas offering SSI dive courses with internationally recognized certifications, led by instructors like Handre and Nieko. Daily guided manta ray snorkeling takes guests to the nearby Drawaqa Channel during peak season, with a 50% discount on the next trip if no rays are spotted. Free kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available at high tide, and evening activities include crab races, beach volleyball at Sunset Beach, and live music performances.

Eco-Friendly Practices

Mantaray Island Resort operates a desalination plant to produce fresh water and uses composting toilets throughout the property to minimize environmental impact. The resort enforces a reef-safe sunscreen policy and restricts snorkeling on the house reef during low tide to protect coral. A septic tank system is cleared multiple times daily, and the resort actively manages waste to maintain the surrounding marine reserve.

Location and Nearby Attractions

Located on Nanuya Balavu Island in the Yasawa group, Mantaray Island Resort is a 2.5-hour boat ride from Nadi via the Yasawa Flyer. The resort sits directly on a dedicated marine reserve with a vibrant house reef, and over 40 dive sites are within minutes by boat. Guests can visit Soso Village for cultural immersion, hike to the private Sunset Beach, or take guided tours to learn about local traditions and cooking classes.

• Marine Reserve: Exclusive manta ray snorkeling in a dedicated marine reserve off the beach
• Dive Courses: SSI dive courses with internationally recognized certifications
• Dining: Fijian lovo dinners and traditional Meke performances
• Accommodations: Adult-only beachfront villas with private hammocks and sun loungers
• Activities: Daily guided snorkeling, kayaking, sunset tubing, and crab races
• Eco-Friendly: Desalination plant and composting toilets for sustainable operations
• Location: Beachfront on Nanuya Balavu Island, minutes from 40 dive sites and Soso Village