Nanuya Balavu Island: Reef, Manta Rays and Fijian Culture

Nanuya Balavu Island is in Fiji’s Yasawa group; Mantaray Island Resort is located on the island. Reefs, seasonal manta rays and Fijian culture give a stay here a clear focus. If you are looking for a hotel on the island, you can use these themes as a guide when making your choice.

Getting Your Bearings and Arriving

Transfers to Mantaray Island Resort are available by fast catamaran or helicopter. A scenic flight from Nadi to Mantaray Island Resort takes 30 minutes. Transfer schedules and prices can change, so check the latest information before you travel. This lets you factor the journey into your plans without treating the flight and fast catamaran as the same route.

Reef, Beaches and Views

The reef directly in front of Mantaray Island Resort has been voluntarily protected as a marine park since 2003. It is described as rich in vibrant reef gardens, parrotfish, sea anemones, clownfish, moray eels and pipefish. The resort offers guided snorkeling trips, subject to operator availability. There are nine white-sand beaches on Mantaray Island, which you can visit while exploring the island. A lookout offers views of the surrounding islands and tropical reef.

Manta Rays and Water Activities

Manta ray season runs from May to October. During this period, Pacific manta rays stay in the waters around Mantaray Island Resort; the season can naturally vary. Manta rays also glide through the water at the southern tip of Korosamoa. Guided tours from Mantaray Island are designed to make encounters as gentle as possible and avoid disturbing the animals’ natural behavior.

The resort offers SSI (Scuba Schools International) diving courses, subject to operator availability. Night dives at Manta Dive are available on request and may depend on conditions and bookings. Mantaray Island Resort describes itself as Fiji’s only accredited freediving provider and offers the opportunity to learn to dive on a single breath. In addition to snorkeling trips, a range of diving activities are therefore a focus.

Culture and Island Stories

The weekly Fiji Night on Mantaray Island features a Lovo demonstration and a Meke performance with traditional Fijian songs and dances. Guided walks share knowledge about the traditional uses of native plants. Craft classes cover palm weaving and making coconut jewelry. These activities offer different ways to experience Fijian culture—from music and dance to knowledge of plants and crafts.

Island stories are also part of the local picture: one legend tells that Buli Balavu split a landmass into four islands, including Nanuya Balavu. The rocks of Korosamoa are still said to bear the marks of Sulua’s tentacles. The story thus remains recognizable as a legend and a traditional attribution.

Wellness, Dining and Excursions

Mantaray Island Day Spa offers massages and beauty treatments in a peaceful hillside setting with ocean views. The Mantaray Island Resort menu features locally caught fish and seasonal tropical fruits. A stay here can therefore combine activities on and in the water with spa offerings and cuisine that makes use of these ingredients.

If you would also like to visit a village, Soso is two islands away from Nanuya Balavu. Village tours take place daily and can be arranged through the resort’s activities team. Check the latest tour information when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Somosomo, Denarau Island, Vomo, Viwa, Tonge, Yaro, Matamanoa Island, Korolevu.

For the broader travel overview: Western Division.