10 Best Fiji Resorts for Swimming with Manta Rays [2025]

Last Updated: 24 June, 2025

Our Recommended Fiji Resorts for Swimming with Manta Rays

Authentic Insights from Expert Travel Writers

If your dream is to swim with the majestic ocean giants that are manta rays, then this list will be the most helpful thing on the internet right now! Between May and October, manta rays can be seen gliding through the waters of, most famously, the Yasawa Islands, but also in Kadavu and Vanua Levu.

Select your perfect manta ray swimming spot with this list of the resorts in Fiji where you can swim with manta rays.

For more advice for planning the perfect manta ray swim, check out The Guide to Swimming with Manta Rays in Fiji.

1. Barefoot Manta Island Resort (Yasawa Islands)

Barefoot Manta Island Resort offers a unique, conservation-focused experience in the heart of the Yasawa Islands.

The resort’s main focus is on marine conservation and education, boasting some of the best snorkelling off the beach in Fiji. The Marine Conservation Centre is a highlight, offering complimentary snorkelling tours and “try scuba dive” experiences.

From May to October, guests can snorkel with giant manta rays using sustainable interaction methods.

Rooms blend seamlessly with the environment, with birds flitting through the trees. The resort features three distinct beaches, separating family, couple, and dorm areas for a tailored experience.

This corner of Drawaqa Island is well worth exploring – you might even discover hidden gems like the sunset bar we missed during our last stay!

Book Barefoot Manta Island Resort:

10 Best Fiji Resorts for Swimming with Manta Rays [2025]

2. Mantaray Island Resort (Yasawa Islands)

Mantaray Island Resort is a manta ray lover’s paradise, situated near the famous “Manta Ray Passage” in the Yasawa Islands. From May to October, these majestic creatures regularly grace the waters between Naviti Island and Drawaqa Island.

The resort offers excellent scuba diving opportunities, with dive sites just five minutes away. Popular dives include the “Caves of Babylon”, featuring cave diving elements at 18 m depth, and an exhilarating drift dive along a reef wall. For qualified divers, the cave system provides an adventurous experience, reaching depths of 80 m at its deepest entry.

Mantaray Island Resort is renowned for offering one of the best-value scuba diving packages in the region, especially for those staying in budget rooms.

When mantas are spotted, snorkellers can witness these gentle giants up close. Accommodation options cater to all budgets, from luxurious “Beachfront Villas” to the wallet-friendly “Paradise Dorm”.

Book Mantaray Island Resort:

3. Paradise Cove Resort (Yasawa Islands)

As well as boasting one of the best beaches in the Yasawa Islands, Paradise Cove Resort is another one of the best resorts to swim with manta rays in Fiji. The passage where the manta rays feed is just a 10-minute boat ride away.

Between swimming with the rays, enjoy lazy days around the three swimming pools and two bars or out on the water on one of the other amazing activities available. There are accommodation options for couples, groups of mates and families in either a beachfront or tropical garden setting.

See how this resort compares to the 20 Best Resorts in the Yasawa Islands.

Book Paradise Cove Resort:

4. Kokomo Private Island (Kadavu)

This exclusive five-star luxury resort in the Kadavu archipelago provides an alternative destination to swim with manta rays in Fiji. After arriving by helicopter or seaplane, you’ll stay in one of Kokomo Private Island‘s 21 “Beachfront Villas” or five “Luxury Residences”, each with its own pool, garden, beach access and complete privacy.

A 10-minute boat ride away from your residence is the Stick Bomby Reef where manta rays are often seen between May and September. See more resorts nearby in the 5 Best Resorts on Kadavu.

5. The Remote Resort (Vanua Levu)

Those with Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu, in their sights may want to consider staying at The Remote Resort if they want to swim with manta rays. Between May and October, join these ocean giants between Kioa and Rabi islands, where the team at the resort will determine the best places for swimming with them.

Amongst the excitement, stay at one of the resort’s modern-style villas for up to two to five people. Located on the edge of the Rainbow Reef, The Remote Resort is also a fantastic base for scuba diving.

Compare this resort to others on the island in the 20 Best Resorts in Vanua Levu.

Book The Remote Resort:

6. Matava Eco Adventure Resort (Kadavu)

Another resort in the Kadavu island group, Matava Eco Adventure Resort takes snorkelers and scuba divers to Manta Reef submerged just outside of the Great Astrolabe Reef. It’s a 40-minute boat ride to this remote location to swim with manta rays in Fiji.

As for accommodation, the bures at Matava Resort are scattered in seclusion across a hillside, complementing the surroundings with their thatched exterior. Meals are shared family-style on long tables in the main restaurant and bar, while a range of experiences, including fishing, surfing, spa treatments, cultural immersion, birdwatching, and scuba diving, are available.

Book Matava Eco Adventure Resort:

7. White Sandy Beach Resort (Yasawa Islands)

This Fijian family-run lodge/resort sits on the end of the picturesque Korovou Beach on Naviti Island, giving you another option to swim with manta rays in the Yasawas. The budget resort provides a more authentic Fijian experience with bures and a dorm building set among the coconut palms.

Dine at White Sandy Beach Resort‘s on-site restaurant and enjoy some of their laidback activities. See more accommodations like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Yasawa Islands.

8. Barefoot Kuata Island Resort (Yasawa Islands)

Barefoot Kuata Island Resort offers a unique mix of adventure and relaxation in the stunning Yasawa Islands. The sister resort to Barefoot Manta, day trips to where manta ray swimming takes place can be arranged. More renowned, however, is Barefoot Kuata’s shark diving experiences, particularly the “Awakening Shark Dive” accessible to both certified and non-certified divers.

The resort caters to various budgets with accommodations ranging from spacious beachfront bures like the “Beachfront Rai Ki Waya Bure” to more affordable dorm-style options. Guests are greeted by a dancing warrior, setting the tone for the cultural experiences on offer.

Beyond diving, visitors can enjoy snorkelling tours, conservation activities like reef planting, and relaxing by one of the resort’s three pools. With its diverse offerings, Barefoot Kuata is perfect for those seeking both aquatic adventures and island tranquillity.

Book Barefoot Kuata Island Resort:

9. Nanuya Island Resort (Yasawa Islands)

Nestled in the heart of the Yasawa Islands, Nanuya Island Resort offers an ideal location for swimming with manta rays during the season. The resort’s highlight is their “Mantaray Safari”, an exciting excursion that, while not guaranteeing manta ray sightings, promises an amazing snorkelling adventure regardless.

The resort provides snorkelling gear, though it’s worth noting that the equipment’s condition may not be top-notch. Unfortunately, our last snorkelling trip revealed some lapses in conservation practices, which is something to keep in mind.

Beyond marine activities, Nanuya Island Resort offers a well-rounded experience in the northern Yasawas. Set on a hillside with stunning lagoon views, the resort features traditional Fijian-style bures catering to couples and older travellers seeking a quiet, laid-back atmosphere.

While the beachfront is more of a launch point for adventures, a stunning beach is just a short walk away.

Book Nanuya Island Resort:

10. Boathouse Nanuya (Yasawa Islands)

Boathouse Nanuya offers budget-friendly accommodation on the stunning property of Nanuya Island Resort, perfect for travellers seeking resort amenities without the premium price tag. The simple, clean rooms are mostly fan-cooled with shared facilities, catering to younger guests or those happy with a casual setup.

Adventure seekers will love the “Mantaray Safari” experience, where you can snorkel with these majestic creatures. Other exciting activities include guided trips to the Sawa-I-Lau Caves, village visits, and some of the most affordable snorkelling excursions in the Yasawas.

While the beachfront is okay, it’s more of a launch point for adventures. Don’t worry though, there’s a stunning beach just a short walk away. Kayaks and paddleboards are available, and a short trail leads to a scenic lookout point and remote villages.

With laundry services and a cash-out option at the store, Boathouse Nanuya ensures a comfortable and convenient stay in paradise. We also feature this accommodation in the 10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands.

Book Boathouse Nanuya:

More About Resorts in Fiji Where You Can Swim with Manta Rays

That’s it for our guide on the best resorts for swimming with manta rays in Fiji. For more on the subject, take a look at more of our insightful guides:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Swimming with Manta Rays in Fiji.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura (Lora) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Fiji. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Fiji’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

About Laura About Our Team