Manta Island Resort
Manta Island Resort is a 12-acre private island at the southern tip of Glover's Reef Atoll, inside a marine reserve that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and almost everything about a stay revolves around that water. The atoll has hundreds of patch reefs, a lagoon full of sea turtles and rays, and the Long Caye Wall dropping off the reef edge, and guests consistently say the snorkeling and diving are the reason to come. With just eleven oceanfront cabanas and a handful of reef villas, it stays quiet and personal; travelers describe the staff as treating them like guests in someone's home. The awards have followed the sentiment, with a place among Central America's best resorts in the 2025 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards and a 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best listing.
Things to Know
- Alcohol not included
- Imported Alcohol & Wine Extra
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +A 12-acre private island at the southern tip of Glover's Reef Atoll, inside the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 36 miles off Dangriga - snorkelers and divers rate it among the best accessible reef systems in the Caribbean
- +Only eleven standalone oceanfront cabanas plus a small cluster of reef villas (two- and three-bedroom layouts, one with a plunge pool and one with a private pool and hot tub), so the island never feels busy
- +Unlimited local drinks are genuinely included: local beer and mixed drinks made with local gin, brandy, vodka and rum, pina coladas, plus mocktails, smoothies, juices, soft drinks, coffee and tea
- +Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkel gear, a small Hobie cat and the infinity pool are free to use all day, and guided group snorkel trips on the reef are built into the package
- +Cabanas are better kitted out than the rustic island stereotype: king bed, air conditioning, rain shower, double vanity, Lavazza espresso machine, kitchenette with mini-fridge, and a veranda with a hammock
- +Three chef-prepared meals a day at the Black Coral Bar & Restaurant, an afternoon bar snack menu and packed lunches on tour days, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets accommodated
- +Diving runs with PADI guides from the island itself, including dive certification, Long Caye Wall and night dives, so divers skip the long mainland boat commutes
Cons
- −Getting there is a project: fly into Belize City, take a shared ground shuttle to the marina, then a roughly 75-minute boat ride, and the included boat only runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which effectively fixes your arrival and departure days
- −For bookings made on or after October 14, 2026 the included local flight to Dangriga was replaced by the ground shuttle; a helicopter transfer is a paid add-on if you want to skip the road and boat
- −Wine and imported spirits are not included and are sold at the bar; happy hour (most evenings, roughly 4pm to 6pm) takes 20 percent off imported liquor but not wine
- −Included snorkel trips are rationed by stay length (one guided reef trip on a three or four night stay, three on seven nights or more), and scuba, fishing, the spa, yoga and other tours are all a la carte
- −Sand flies and mosquitoes are a fact of island life; the resort works to curb them, but it tells guests to pack DEET repellent, hydrocortisone and antihistamines
- −No nightlife, no casino and no entertainment programming, and solo travelers are not accepted at all (the resort points them to its mainland sister properties)
- −Wi-Fi exists but can fluctuate, so download what you need beforehand; cell phones work only with international roaming
- −Gratuities are on top: the resort suggests $450 to $650 per couple for a four to seven night stay, pooled for the whole staff
The package is clear about what it covers. Three meals a day at the Black Coral Bar & Restaurant, an afternoon bar snack menu and packed lunches on tour days are included, as is unlimited local beer and mixed drinks made with local spirits; wine and imported liquor are extra, with 20 percent off imported liquor during the evening happy hour. Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, a small Hobie cat and the infinity pool are free, and guided group snorkel trips are included on a sliding scale (one on a short stay, three on a week). Scuba with PADI guides, fishing, massage, yoga and longer excursions like the Blue Hole are a la carte. Cabanas have air conditioning, a king bed, a rain shower, an espresso machine and a kitchenette, room service is available, and power comes from a generator that runs around the clock.
Manta suits couples, families (children of any age are welcome, unlike adults-only sister resort Coco Plum) and divers who want a true remote-island stay without Maldives or French Polynesia pricing. At the resort's published 2026 rates a private cabana package works out to roughly $860 to $1,100 per couple per night depending on season and length of stay, before tips, which is well above mainland Belize but in line with other Belizean private islands that are far easier to reach. The trade-off is logistics: transfers are included from Belize City, but the island boat runs only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so plan the whole trip around it.
Common Questions
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What does the all-inclusive package actually include?
Is the diving good, and is it included?
Is Manta Island good for families or non-divers?
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Restaurants (1)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Caribbean & local | Black Coral Restaurant & Bar |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Belize gets sargassum, typically worst June through August, with heavy conditions often extending April through October.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 58 reviews
“This is our second time staying in Manta but our first time renting the entire island to celebrate my wife’s Doctoral journey. All of the staff are excellent and very welcoming and accommodating. I really appreciated the care they took of 84 year old...”
“We just returned from our second visit to Manta Island Resort, and it was every bit as magical as the first. The staff here are what truly set this place apart—their hospitality is unmatched, and the level of service they provide is beyond exceptiona...”
“Manta island resort surpassed ANY expectations we had for our honeymoon. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royalty by the genuinely kind staff. Throughout our entire stay, the staff and other guests knew us all by name and everyone fel...”
