Mana sits in the middle of the Mamanucas, ringed by a broad lagoon, with a ridge down its spine and beaches on both sides. South Beach faces the ferry jetty and the lagoon; North Beach is quieter and better for snorkelling; and at the western end a long white sandspit — Sunset Beach — runs out into the sea.
It is one of the few islands where different budgets genuinely share the sand. Mana Island Resort occupies the middle of the island, the tiny adults-only Tadrai hides on the north side, and in the village at the eastern end, family-run lodges offer dorm beds and simple rooms. The island has an airstrip, and American television crews have based themselves here while filming “Survivor” on nearby islands.
Top things to do: Mana Island
Dive the Supermarket
The best-known dive in the Mamanucas lies on the outer reef near Mana: a wall and channel where grey reef, whitetip and blacktip sharks gather. Other sites in reach include Gotham City and the Salamanda wreck. Dive centres on the island and on neighbouring resorts run daily boats.
Walk to Sunset Beach
Follow the shore or the ridge track west to the sandspit for the best beach on the island and, as the name says, the sunset. The lookout on the ridge gives a 360-degree view on the way.
Snorkel North Beach
Coral bommies begin a short swim from the sand on the north side. Go around high tide and watch for boat traffic.
Join a sandbar or Monuriki trip
Mana is the closest larger island to Monuriki, and local boats run half-day trips there and to the sandbar that appears offshore at low tide.
How to get to Mana Island
- By ferry: South Sea Cruises catamarans from Port Denarau call at Mana daily; the ride takes roughly an hour and a half, depending on stops.
- By air: Mana has a small airstrip, and seaplanes and helicopters also serve the island — see getting here.
- For the day: the Mana Island Resort day trip includes the catamaran and lunch — see day cruises.
Insider tips
- Budget travellers: the village lodges are cash-friendly, basic and sociable. Bring enough Fijian dollars — there is no ATM.
- A fence has at times separated the resort from the village side; walk around by the beach.
- North Beach is the quieter side for swimming when the ferry is in.
Tours that include Mana Island
These bookable experiences are the easiest way to see Mana Island:
Resort day trip from €126 Fiji: Mana Island Resort Day Trip with Lunch
Mana is one of the larger Mamanuca islands, with long beaches on both its north and south sides. The day trip gives you the catamaran ride out, lunch and the afternoon to swim, snorkel or pay for water sports before the boat home.
- High-speed catamaran to Mana Island
- Beach time, snorkelling and optional water sports
- Lunch at the resort
Island day cruise from €120 Fiji: Monuriki, Mana Sand Bar & Snorkelling Cruise
The most-reviewed Mamanuca day trip on GetYourGuide by a wide margin. A Fijian family-owned boat heads for the outer islands: a sandbar stop near Mana, snorkelling at Monu Cove and time ashore on Monuriki, the uninhabited island used for the film “Cast Away”. It is a full day and a long way out, which is exactly the point.
- Walk the beach of Monuriki (Modriki), the “Cast Away” island
- Swim off the Mana sandbar and snorkel at Monu Cove
- Run by a Fijian family-owned crew
