Christian, thank you for the information. Our travel agency recommend Manta over the other resorts but I am shying away from it from postings on TripAdvisor.com. That's why I was interested to see others' experiences. I'll take a closer look at it again tho.
Terri
If you want a resort, MRL seemed to have the best value for money to me. There were another more upscale place called Fundu Lagoon Resort, but it was a lot more expensive and didn't seem to offer a lot more; perhaps more luxurios food and drinks included, but essentially the same standard of living. Then there are a couple of liveaboards. I have been on MSY Jambo which is run by a german - a very romantic sailing ship which is kept spotless. There are another one which occationally sails around Pemba, the name escapes me.
Then there are two or three small yachts anchored in the Fundu Lagoon called "Pemba Afloat". You live on them and then make excursions with zodiacs. Close to nature, but I just don't see the point in having all the discomforts of living on a boat and not being able to enjoy the benefit of actually moving around.
I heard that Swahili Divers was going to open something new, a resort. Don't know if that has materialised, but the Divers Lodge was a small hostel, more like a backpackers place in the small city of Chake Chake.
I saw that Manta Reef lodge got some bad reviews. Don't know if it was because the reviewer was expecting a luxury resort or if the place has gone seriously downhill since my visit in late november 2005. Even though Pemba Island is relatively close to urban areas, one should have in mind that it is a very remote place. Time has been standing still for the last 100 years or so, more or less. Tourist infrastructure besides what Manta Reef Lodge, MSY Jambo, Fundu Lagoon, Pemba Afloat and Swahili Divers can offer are zero on the island. And infrastructure in general on the island leaves a lot to be desired. This is the third world. Tourism has not reached this place like on Zanzibar just a couple of hours to the south. You have to put that into the equation, otherwise you might end up disappointed. Or delighted. If you're up to it, it is a very special place. The island is beatiful and the cultural mix of Arabic, Indian and Swahili heritage is very intersting. Diving is very good if you are lucky with the conditions. And you are always alone on the reefs. Heck, I think my party were the only tourists on the whole island during our visit...
good luck
