Name: Barefoot Manta Island
Address: Drawaqa Island, Matayalevu, Matayalevu, Matayalevu, 679, Fiji
Rating: 9

Currency exchange

Smoke-free property

Security guard

Ticket assistance

Garden

Terrace

Outdoor furniture

No elevators

Reception desk

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Family room

Locker

Linens

Mosquito net

Rooms

Accessibility features

Accessibility

Luggage storage

Laundry

Safe-deposit box

Concierge services

Dry-cleaning

Services and amenities

Coffee/tea for guests

Diet menu (on request)

Common kitchen

Restaurant

Snack bar

Bottled water (at extra charge)

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet access

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer services

Transfer

English

Languages Spoken

Tour assistance

Tourist services

Library

Hiking

Picnic area

Fishing

Sun Deck

Recreation

No parking

Parking

Water sport facilities

Private beach

Beach/pool towels

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Event facilities

Business

Diving

Darts

Snorkelling

Sports

First Aid Kit

Beauty and wellness

Playroom

Babysitting and childcare

Kids

Temperature control for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Temperature control for guests

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the hostel

Barefoot Manta Island

Matayalevu

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

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king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

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not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

What a fabulous 3 days we’ve just had at Barefoot Manta - from the moment we arrived we said we wish we were staying longer! 

The staff are so genuine, friendly and helpful. There are lots of them at they greet you with genuine warmth. 

We spontaneously decided to do our Open Water Diver qualification while at barefoot & are so glad we did. The marine life is unbelievable (even when just snorkelling off the beach) and the diving staff are second to none (thankyou Bete and Rafa).

As we were diving we unfortunately didn’t get to experience the different activities on offer but these included basket making, coconut workshops, marine life talks and Fiji lessons. If we were to return I would love to do these next time! Something additional after dinner would have been fab!

The food is good - my only point would be about keeping it hotter, although I appreciate this is difficult when catering for many guests. For dinner you are given a set menu where you pick one main. Although I prefer choice when paying all inclusive (eg a buffet style) we never struggled to find something and the food was good quality - beautifully presented!

I was worried about the room not having air conditioning after my first few days in (hot and humid!) Fiji. However I was pleasantly surprised at how cool the sea-breezed beachfront bure was. It felt private and clean and the shared toilet/shower facilities were close by and in great order.

A special thanks goes out to Mirko, the general manager, who goes above and beyond for Barefoot Manta. During our 3 days we saw him on front desk, serving at the bar, helping plate up food at dinner time and he was one of our dive instructors. He works tirelessly and his efforts should be recognised! 

Thank you everyone at Barefoot Manta, we will recommend you to all our friends!

The best time at Barefoot Manta!

In all our travels, I can't say it gets much more real or authentic. The people of Barefoot are real and welcoming and bring you into their lives. 

The reef is something that I truly will never forget; its incredible marine life and the care that has been taken to preserve it are surreal. Between the clear water, sea life, and AMAZING knowledge freely shared by Marine staff members; you can't ask for much better of an experience. 

The food, accommodation, and care taken by the team was incredible; we felt as if we were family members welcomed as their own. 

Overall, I can't say enough incredible words about Barefoot Manta, it people, and its beauty. We are excited to return soon. 

Excellence Unleahed 

I stayed for 5 nights. Weather on 3 days were great, however a tropical cyclone came to town on 1 of the nights, meaning we had to change rooms for 2 nights. While this wasn’t ideal and was some experience, i must say how brilliant all the staff and management were. Cyclone aside, everything about this resort and my stay was perfect. The 3 beaches were pristine, and the coral reefs are amazing. I was slightly worried about yhe food based on previous reviews i had looked at, however i simply have not had food so good, every course was fantastic, and loved the buffet lunches. I can’t emphasise how great the staff are too, a real credit to the resort. Thanks for a lovely stay, hoping to return one day :)

Great experience despite a cyclone!

If you're looking for a place to stay in the Yasawa Islands, I highly recommend Barefoot Manta. You won't regret it! My partner and I stayed for four nights, left to go to another resort and ended up rebooking the remainder of our trip back at Barefoot Manta because we enjoyed it so much. We were actually antsy and excited to leave the other island resort and get back to Barefoot Manta.

There are so many great things about this place but if we had to choose a few they would be:

1. The incredible staff. They truly make you feel like you are part of their family. They greet you by name, take the time to get to know you and by the end of your trip you'll be crying when you have to say goodbye.

2. The three (yes three!) beaches around the resort. You can watch the sunrise from one beach and the sunset from another. You can't get that anywhere else.

3. The reef. I've been diving all over the world and haven't seen as reef this healthy in years. Their on-site marine biology team plants coral to help keep this place thriving. They're doing incredible work. Your days will be filled with snorkelling and all the fish you can dream of seeing.

4. The manager, Mirko. Mirko was incredible to us. He really got to know us and definitely made us feel at home. He took my partner, who was pretty scared of the water and even snorkelling, out on an intro dive and he had the most fantastic time. He had said that Mirko had made him so comfortable and confident in the water that he wants to go back for manta season and do his open water course at Barefoot Manta.

We stayed in a private bure both times that we visited and they were perfect for us. The bures are a great size (not too big but just big enough) with beautiful outdoor bathrooms. There is no aircon but the ceiling fans work really well with the size of the rooms that you don't need it. They are clean and well taken care of.

We had an incredible trip to Fiji and our time at Barefoot Manta was absolutely the most memorable. We loved our stay and met some terrific people. I hope you put it on your list and love it as much as we did. 

Book at Barefoot Manta, you will love it!

We had an amazing time at Barefoot Manta. It was our first time in Fiji and the resort definitely lived up to the reviews we had read about the place. 

*Rooms*
We stayed in the Beachfront Adi (Queen) Bure. It's similar to a glamping tent, but also has it's own attached outdoor bathroom and front porch. There's no A/C, but we did have a ceiling fan which was much needed during the humid nights. 

We stayed during the wet season and it rained 3 of the 4 nights. The room can get pretty loud when it rains, along with the sound of the waves. It can also feel a bit damp and muggy. 

*Activities*
Snorkelling was easily the highlight of the trip. With 3 beaches, calm waters and a huge expanse of coral reefs to explore, you could spend hours being mesmerised by the biodiversity of marine life out there. There are no mantas in December, but we did see stingrays and a reef shark. 

The resort also has a 'Bulatin' board that is updated daily with group activities. There was a good mix of physical (e.g. hikes, volleyball etc.) and cultural/educational (e.g Fijian cooking, basket weaving) activities to partake in.

*Food*
We were extremely well fed during our stay. Each day was different. On some days you could choose what dish you wanted from a set menu, and on others, they'd do a buffet. We loved getting to try Fijian food. 

*Staff*
The staff were super friendly and made an effort to interact and get to know every guest. They always shout out a friendly "Bula!" to you as you walked around the resort. 

*Fees*
The overall cost was definitely worth it. But as others have mentioned, you should bear in mind the resort package fee, which you pay in addition to your room booking. The resort fee covers main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and most activities they have on offer. It is calculated based on the number of days you stay (Resort package fee x number of days x number of people). 

*Summary*
If you're not afraid to leave the luxury and creature comforts of the big resorts, you'll definitely love it here. This place is a hidden gem. We'll definitely be back here during manta ray season! 

A hidden gem - Best place to snorkel!

Ever since a day trip to Barefoot Kuata years ago I’ve dreamed of going to Barefoot Manta. And I was next level delighted. The snorkelling was exceptional which was what we were there for. Next time we will dive as well. As a bonus there was really interesting bird life. Like living in a documentary. A documentary with delicious food and scrumptious cocktails. I’m still dreaming of the fish curry.

Three beaches to snorkel from. All exceptional.

Barefoot Manta was our first stop in Fiji.  We took the ferry (shuttle from airport to port), were met by a smaller boat and taken to shore.  Be advised, there’s no dock, so take off your shoes and prepare for wet feet.
A fresh coconut was offered with your introduction to the resort.  Our accommodation was an oceanfront bure (cabin/tent).  We were second last on our pathway.  Each bure is separated from the others by vegetation, so quite private, but can still see the neighbours.   We looked straight to the ocean…the beach about 50 feet away.  The accommodation was a tent with solid roof and floor.  We expected an overhang on the lanai, but they may be for the family cabins.  So the lanai was open, not protected from rain.  The bure has an outdoor bathroom…toilet and sink areas covered, but the shower is open to the elements.  Room was comfy, maybe not enough spots to hang things up.  Shampoo and soap are provided.  Only one plug for plugging in your stuff though.  No A/C, but a ceiling fan.  Also had a hammock outside.  
There are 2 dining areas.  The main one, which also houses the front desk, and one near the beach which is all open.  Special meals are held here.
Food is pretty good.  A different menu each day we were there. Breakfast is self serve, plus an egg station.  At breakfast you select your choices for lunch and dinner.  There are generally at least 2 mains with meat and 2 vegetarian options at dinner.  One day we had a BBQ buffet lunch.  One night was Dwali, so it was more curry.  Another was Fiji night, which also involved the Kava ceremony.   Drinks are decently priced.
If you are there at the right time…summer months are peak…you can snorkel with Mantas.  We missed that.  There is good snorkelling on two sides of the resort.  The sunset side has a tame reef, easy snorkelling. The sunrise side can be more wavy, but there is an excellent coral reef there, with a decent drop for shore diving.  The resort has diving excursions, and a place where you can get snorkelling and diving equipment so you don’t need to bring any. 
Staff are warm and friendly.  There are various activities you can partake in each day. 
They sing to you on arrival and departure.
We very much enjoyed our stay here.  Best was having the front flap open on the tent (screen closed) and having the ocean breeze at night and waking to the view of the water through the trees.
Also, there is a rescued parrot on the premises (native to Fiji, not this island), Cookie.  Loves to sit on your shoulder.

Great spot

This is the real Fiji, far away from the everyday.

Our family of 5 enjoyed 7 nights at the resort in a safari tent right on the water’s edge with our own private outdoor bathroom. 

This is the dream location for an island paradise. The team here are all wonderful and you become part of the extended family. 

Located in a marine conservation park,  the snorkelling is next level amazing.  It’s like being in a fish tank with a variety of species in exotic colours and of all sizes. 

We enjoyed many activities including expert talks with the marine biologists, a lesson in coral planting and reef restoration, night snorkelling, a village visit, a fire side safari talk, kayaking, volleyball, cultural dancing, learn to scuba, coconut bowling, two hikes, and a beach bonfire.  

The food was reasonable and on some days it was great.  The new coffee machine will be much appreciated. 

There is plenty to do. Or do nothing! It is a pristine paradise. Reading a book on the deck, watching the ocean and the sunset is sublime. 

This was an amazing holiday. We missed the Mantaray season but we will be back. 

If you want to experience the real Fiji with genuine hospitality, warmth and kindness away from the fake facade of the big resorts, this is it. 

Fantastic.

True Paradise

This place was great for our family, 2 adults and three kids.  Food was very good and huge portions, you won't go hungry.  The beaches are amazing.  The selling point for us was three beaches, which allows you to get out of the wind and be in the water regardless of tides or weather.  The coral on sunrise beach is amazing.  Decent numbers of fish at all beaches.  The facilities and staff are top notch.  My wife did the bull shark dive and loved it.  We also did a village tour which was quite special.  Pick this place, you won't regret it!

Just go here

The highlight for me was the amazing coral reef around the island - visibility was perfect, coral really healthy and so many fish - it was an underwater paradise!

There are also three beaches on the island (plus a couple more you can access by kayak) so you could often have a whole beach to yourself, unlike some of the other island resorts with only one beach. 

We stayed in a beach bure on Sunset beach - it was gorgeous! 

Good for couples or solo travellers - the kind of place you could be sociable if you wanted or keep to yourselves. 

Food was plentiful but on the average side (it was better on the sister island Barefoot Kuata!) -  buffet breakfast was great though and the atmosphere, friendly staff, amazing beaches, beautiful blue sea and marine life more than made up for this - I much preferred it to the other island resorts we tried, it's a really special place! Other travellers we spoke to seemed to agree it was one of the best to choose.