The Manta Resort Unveils New Underwater Room on Pemba Island, Marking Next Chapter in Ocean Tourism
PEMBA ISLAND, Tanzania, May 12th, 2026 — The Manta Resort today announces the launch of its newly reimagined Underwater Room, offering guests and media a first opportunity to experience a new generation of underwater hospitality in the waters off Pemba Island, the lesser-known sister island of Zanzibar.
The new structure is the 3rd generation of the concept, building on one of the world’s earliest underwater hotel concepts, first introduced in 2001 as Utter Inn in Sweden and then in 2013 as The Manta Underwater Room in Tanzania.
After more than a decade of operation, the original Manta Underwater Room has now been fully submerged and carefully placed as part of the nearby reef, where it will continue its life as part of the marine ecosystem within the resort’s protected, replenishment area.
The new Underwater Room, developed by Genberg Underwater Hotels, has been built on twelve years of operational experience, with improvements across design, materials and systems to ensure long-term performance, safety and guest comfort in a marine environment.
Beyond the experience itself, the project reflects a broader approach to tourism. Through collaboration with the tourism division of Blue Alliance, all proceeds from the Underwater Room are directly channeled to supporting coral reef restoration, environmental monitoring, and community programs linked to sustainable fishing and local livelihoods.
Located in the Pemba Channel in the western Indian Ocean, one of East Africa’s most ecologically significant marine areas, the Underwater Room allows guests to observe reef life at close range, offering a direct connection to the ocean environment that also supports conservation awareness.
“The underwater room has shown that a very small footprint can still create meaningful impact. This project has always been about more than just creating a unique place to stay. It shows how tourism and innovation, when carefully managed, can contribute to protecting marine ecosystems and supporting coastal communities”, said Matt Saus, CEO and co-founder, The Manta Resort.
For more information and press accreditation, please contact:
William Möller, Press Contact, The Manta Resort, +46 733 22 99 99, [email protected]
Fact Box: The Manta Underwater Room
/ Floating underwater accommodation unit designed for permanent placement at sea
/ Multi level design with underwater bedroom and above water living space
/ Built in marine grade steel with corrosion protection for tropical conditions
/ Panoramic underwater windows designed for pressure and clarity
/ Fully self-contained system with climate control, ventilation and hybrid energy
/ Anchored using a system designed to minimize impact on the seabed
/ Revenue supports reef restoration, marine research and community programs
/ Developed to support sustainable fisheries and local employment
About The Manta Resort & The Underwater Room
The Manta Resort, located on Pemba Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, is a global leader in responsible island hospitality. Known for pioneering one of the world’s first underwater hotel rooms, the resort integrates innovative guest experiences with long-term commitments to marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and community empowerment through the Kwanini Foundation. The Underwater Room, first launched in 2013 and now entering a new era, stands as a symbol of regenerative tourism. As the original room becomes part of the reef in a permanent conservation installation, the new Underwater Room continues the legacy — uniting architecture, ecology, and blue-economy impact beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean. themantaresort.com
