A pristine and secluded palm-studded island located on Glovers Atoll in Belize, one of the most spectacular, untouched reef systems in the Caribbean. Located some 30 miles from the mainland, Glover's Atoll is a UN World Heritage Site and Belizean National Park. Our tropical mahogany cabaņas are all situated on the white, sandy beach overlooking the reef. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/mantaresort/hotel/381/3/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:25:03 EST Manta Resort offers world-class scuba diving that is virtually unparalleled in the Caribbean. Because of the atoll's protected status, you will be amazed by the abundant marine life - grouper, moray, colorful queen trigger fish and large parrot fish abound. Majestic manta rays are frequently seen; enjoy encounters with dolphins, eagle rays and sea turtles. Incredible wall diving is a stone's throw from the resort, with a 2,000-foot wall right in front. If you're not a diver, snorkel on our guided trips around the 80-square-mile atoll, or in our own crystal clear lagoon within the resort. Other activities include kayaking and excellent fly-fishing and trolling. For those seeking a peaceful respite, relax in your private hammock on the porch of your own mahogany cabaņa, or soak up some sun on our white sand beaches, cooled by the Caribbean trade breezes. Meander on down to our Cantina for some hearty, fresh international cuisine. Manta Resort is small and personal, offering 12 cabaņas and one larger Family House - you won't have to share Paradise with large crowds! Our staff at Manta Resort takes great pride in friendly service. Our food is said to be some of the best in Belize. Come to Manta, we'd love to share our tropical paradise with you. Location Belize is located in Central America on the western edge of the Caribbean and is a short 2-hour flight from Houston, Dallas, New Orleans or Miami. Manta Resort is located a scenic 3-hour boat ride from Belize city. We provide the boat ride to Manta Resort aboard our 50-ft Pelagic, where you may sit back and relax, traveling through turquoise waters, sipping complimentary beverages. Glover's Atoll Glover's Atoll lies 20 miles outside the second longest barrier reef in the world and comprises some 80 square miles in area on the edge of the continental shelf. It is one of only a handful of atolls in the Atlantic/Caribbean and was designated as an United Nations World Heritage Site. Manta Resort is the only full-service resort on the atoll. The Cantina The Cantina is our focal point, acting as bar, restaurant and leisure area. Built on the end of a 50-foot pier, with its native wood floor, tall thatched roof, and open-air design, the Cantina evokes a simple yet comfortable feeling. From every vantage-point, magnificent panoramic views of waves and reef can be seen while you are dining on our exquisitely prepared Belizean and International cuisine. Or just relaxing with a piņa colada or a Belizean beer. Our bar is renowned for its cocktail hour, offering a wide variety of beverages, along with happy hour snacks. In the evenings, as the day's catch is cleaned, fish scraps are thrown to our resident rays and nurse sharks in Manta Lagoon. The Food The cuisine at Manta Resort is said to be some of the best in Belize. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, offering a variety of local cuisine. The evening meal is served to you - perhaps seasonal conch, lobster, chicken or pork. All of our meals are prepared with seasonally available freshest fruits and vegetables from farms and gardens around the country. The meals include dishes from Belize, Mexico. the Caribbean and other nations. Our bread is baked daily in our kitchen and served warm from the oven. Our Cantina has an all-day supply of freshly-brewed coffee, along with a selection of teas and juice for your refreshment and convenience. We endeavor to accommodate any special dietary needs. MANTA RESERVE IS AN UNITED NATIONS HERITAGE SITE Manta Resort is dedicated to preserving and sharing the natural wonders of the world. Manta Resort is located on Glover's Reef Atoll, an United Nations Heritage Site.The reserve was established to preserve the ecological diversity of a variety of marine species and to maintain natural areas for education and research. A marine research field station is located on the eastern end of the atoll. Some of the cost of your vacation at Manta Resort contributes to the preservation of this pristine and beautiful atoll. The Manta Resort Environment Manta Resort is situated on a former Belizean coconut plantation, boasting some of the oldest and tallest coconut palms in this tiny former British colony. Our lush, green coconut palms provide a colorful contrast with the beautiful white sand - a true "Gilligan's Island" paradise. The 12-acre island is located at the southern tip of Glover's Reef Atoll within a nationally protected marine reserve - truly one of the most spectacular untouched reef systems in the Caribbean. In addition, it was granted UN World Heritage Site status in 1996 owing to its remarkably pristine reef systems. Manta Resort is one of only five islands in the Glover's Atoll that is home to a crystal clear lagoon, a natural haven for many small fish, rays, nurse sharks and a large school of bonefish. At nighttime, visiting schools of tarpon may be seen also in the lagoon. It is over this lagoon that we have built our restaurant and bar, for enjoyment of the year-round gentle trade winds. The local history of this Caye is peppered with stories of pirates (one, old John Glover, provides the Atoll's name), smuggling and contraband, ghosts new and old - all are subjects for jolly after-dinner conversation. Today, Manta Resort is a premiere dive location, as well as a snorkeler's paradise, a fisherman's dream, and an all-out great place to relax. The nightlife here is conversation, night dives, moonlight walks, star-gazing or just relaxing with that good book you never could seem to find the time to finish! AMENITIES: The Cabaņas Our tropical mahogany cabaņas are all situated on the white, sandy beach overlooking the reef. Charming and rustic, each is fully air-conditioned with modern private bath, hot and cold water and daily housekeeping service. Configurations of beds vary from cabaņa to cabaņa --from singles to doubles and queen beds. Our twelve cabaņas are spaced twenty to thirty feet apart, staggered to offer you peace and quiet. The azure waters of the Caribbean are only a few steps away. Your private porch, complete with hammock, overlooks the lagoon, offering you some of the most wonderful sunrises. The Family House For small groups, families or honeymooners, our large, roomy, two-bedroom family house provides complete privacy where guests may enjoy a large veranda offering panoramic views of the atoll and nearby cayes. Two bedrooms, one with queen and the other with two double beds each have adjoining bathrooms and air conditioning.The Family House has a large living room with a pull out sofa, a kitchenette area and, of course, daily housekeeping service. ACTIVITIES: The Boats The Pelagic is a custom built 50 foot motor yacht with an 850 hp twin-engine diesel. She is designed to carry you in style and comfort to and from the island. Our other dive, snorkeling and fishing boats include the 40-foot Royal Roamer, specially designed as a dive platform, 26 and 36-foot Bradleys with side doors for easy entries and exits from the water, as well as several 25-28-foot twin-engine powered boats. We strive to put no more than 12 divers on each boat with a divemaster to keep from crowding the boat as well as to enhance your underwater experience. Fishing Unspoiled, the way it ought to be. A protected lagoon forms virgin flats that are home to schools of tailing bonefish and occasional permit. Experienced English-speaking guides will whisk you around remote flats that are rarely touched by other anglers or local commercial fishermen, offering you an exclusive and highly personalized fishing experience. Offshore fishing will put you in the middle of barracuda, snapper, wahoo, and kingfish. If you're into casual fishing, throw a line from the dock to schools of bonefish and snapper. Sightseeing from the dock is incredible as you watch resident southern stingrays, nurse sharks and much more in our private Manta Lagoon. Because Manta Resort is within a marine reserve and supports the work of the fisheries department, we do not fish within any of the conservation zones, nor will we fish out of season, and we will, wherever possible, net a fish rather than gaff. Selected catches may be kept at your or your guide's discretion. Bonefish are all strictly catch-and-release. Trolling on the outside of the reef is great for wahoo, grouper, barracuda, jacks, and mackerel. Our 25-ft open skiff allows all-round access, and provides a stable platform, with shallow water draft, sun/rain canopy, rod holders/racks, marine radio and coolers. Our fishing package includes your own personal fishing guide (maximum two persons with guide) for eight hours a day who will assist you in having a successful fishing experience. You may choose to troll or drag or fly fish in the flats or from shore, or fish from our 25-foot open boat with 85 hp outboard. You may choose to bring your own gear or rent it from the resort. Snorkeling Manta offers two daily guided snorkel trips for non-divers or other members of your family or group who don't dive or fish. During your stay, you can snorkel in Manta Lagoon and visit sights such as Hole in the Wall and Cabbage Patch, where you will see tarpon, barracuda, grouper, eagle rays, southern stingrays and much more - a true snorkeler's dream. Guests that do not snorkel or dive can ride along on the snorkel boat, space permitting. Kayaking Feel free to explore Manta Lagoon and the surrounding reefs in our complimentary single and double kayaks, available for your boating pleasure. Experience the 80 square miles of virtually untouched virgin diving - some of the best in the Caribbean. Unparalleled wall diving is a stone's throw from the resort, with a 2,000-foot drop off right in front.Visibility ranges up to 200 feet and the water stays around a comfortable 80 degrees year-round. Odds are the only dive boats you will see will be from Manta Resort. You will be amazed by the abundance of marine life - such as grouper, moray, colorful queen trigger fish and large parrot fish abound. Majestic manta rays are common visitors, and encounters with dolphins, eagle rays and sea turtles are frequent. Brightly colored tube sponges, gorgonians, stands of black coral and swaying sea fans decorate the seascape. The dive staff takes care of every dive need, from equipment storage and rental to carrying your tanks and dive gear. Finally, we will rinse and dry your dive gear before you pack. It's the way a vacation ought to be. Dive facilities and equipment As a PADI facility, we offer all PADI training courses, from Open Water Certification to Divemaster. One of our most popular programs is the PADI Discover Scuba Diving. This offers non-divers the truly exciting first time experience of scuba diving in a safe but beautiful environment. Many of our guests who have experienced this have gone on to complete the full Open Water Course. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to swim with the fishes, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Manta Resort is also a DAN sponsor. It is strongly recommended that all divers have dive insurance. If you require insurance, please ask when making reservation for a DAN membership and insurance application to be mailed to you. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Vacation Rental Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/mantaresort/hotel/381/3/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:25:03 EST