Getting to Manta Island Resort

MANTA ISLAND RESORT LOCATION

Blissfully remote, yet accessible by a puddle jumper plane and boat from the Belize International Airport, Manta Island Resort is set at the southernmost tip of Glover’s Reef Atoll approximately 36 miles off the coast of Belize. Belize is a small nation located in Central America. Bordered by Mexico and Guatemala to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, it is north of Honduras and is an English speaking country.

Accessible by many
US and Canadian cities

Getting to Glover’s Reef Atoll from most US and Canadian cities can easily be accomplished in less than a day. While you are responsible for booking your own international flights from your departure destinations, there are several options for flying to Belize, and typically the best rates are secured in advance. Traveling to Belize is easier than ever with nonstop flights from Miami, Houston, Dallas or, Atlanta, all typically less than two hours.

All international flights to Belize land at the only International Airport in the country, the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (Code: BZE). You can secure your international flights to and from Belize through the airline directly or through an agent of your choice. Please note that arrivals and departures to Manta Island Resort on Glover’s Reef Atoll are scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Additional important details can be found on this page further below in the Important Arrival & Departure Information section.

HOW TO GET TO MANTA ISLAND

Before Departing

Upon reserving your international airfare (be sure to fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport - Airport Code: BZE), we make getting to Manta Island as easy and stress-free as possible. All domestic transfers* from the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (Airport Code: BZE) to Manta Island Resort are included in our rates and are arranged by our team of Belize travel experts.

Before Departing

ARRIVING IN BELIZE

When your international flight arrives at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (Airport Code: BZE), expect to spend anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour getting your luggage and clearing customs & immigration.

ARRIVING IN BELIZE

Flying to Dangriga

After clearing customs and entering through double doors, take an immediate left in the same building to the domestic airline terminal for a 20-minute puddle jumper flight to Dangriga Town on Maya Island Air. Although the flight is short, it will provide you with an unforgettable introduction to the wonders of Belize as you get a bird’s-eye view of the coastline with the sparkling Caribbean Sea to the east and the dense tropical jungle in the distance to the west.

Flying to Dangriga

Dangriga Town

After landing in Dangriga Town, you will be warmly welcomed by a team member of Manta Island Resort. Expect cold bottles of water and a friendly smile as the driver explains where you will be taken next, whether the local boat marina or to another location to wait for your scheduled boat to Manta. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenes of an authentic Belizean town before heading to your very own private island.

Dangriga Town

GETTING TO THE ISLAND BY BOAT

At the local marina in Dangriga Town, your boat ride to Manta Island Resort will begin. The boat ride is 36 miles by sea and takes approximately 75 minutes, depending on weather and marine conditions. Safety is the number one consideration, and our experienced boat captains are fully equipped to make the crossing in our 38ft covered boat.

GETTING TO THE ISLAND BY BOAT

Enjoy the Ride

Embrace your inner pirate as you soar through the waves of the Caribbean. During the first portion of your sea journey, you’ll head east toward the Belize Barrier Reef. After about 30 minutes, you’ll pass a multitude of islands, including our very own sister resort, Coco Plum Island. The halfway point is marked a few moments later at the crossing of the Belize Barrier Reef in the Southern Barrier Reef Reserve. Thereafter, you are surrounded by the “deep blue” as you head south toward Glover’s Reef Atoll for the latter part of your journey. As you begin to approach your destination, you’ll see a sphere of crystal clear water surrounding Glover’s Reef Atoll.

Enjoy the Ride

You have arrived!

Waiting at the dock, you’ll spot our Manta Island Team with a signature welcome drink just for you. Soak up the awe of Manta Island Resort’s pristine location and prepare to be pampered for the duration of your stay.

You have arrived!

Getting to the Island By Private Helicopter

START YOUR HOLIDAY IN STYLE

For travelers wanting a quicker route to Manta Island Resort, we offer an alternate option of flying directly from the Belize International Airport to Manta Island Resort via helicopter. Guaranteed to get you where you want to go in an efficient and safe manner, this direct helicopter transfer will only take approximately 40 minutes from the Belize International Airport to Manta Island Resort. The surcharge fee for a couple is approximately US$5,227.00 round-trip. Contact us directly for rates as the helicopter surcharge fee may be subject to change.

IMPORTANT ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFORMATION*

Arrivals and departures to Manta Island Resort on Glover’s Reef Atoll are scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.
It is also possible to arrive a day early and spend the night at our sister resort in Hopkins, Belizean Dreams Resort which we can facilitate at an additional cost.
Book your international flight to arrive at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (Airport Code: BZE), see below for recommended arrival time.

Boat transfer schedule between Dangriga and Manta Island Resort

Be sure to schedule your international flight to arrive in Belize City (Airport Code: BZE), by 1:00PM. Why? To allow sufficient time to clear customs & immigration and to make the local connecting flight to Dangriga Town at 2:40PM. The scheduled check-in boat to Manta Island typically departs from the local marina dock in Dangriga Town between 3:30PM – 4:30PM. Depending on your arrival time, our driver will either take you directly to the boat dock or to another location to wait for any additional arrivals. Because Manta is located approximately 36 miles off the coast, we group all arrivals together in one scheduled boat for a seamless, efficient, and safe check-in.

Kindly note: If you are only able to arrive closer to 1:30PM, you may still be able to catch your local flight since it generally takes about an hour to clear customs and immigration. If you arrive earlier into Belize City, you have the option of waiting in the duty free lounge there or you can arrive in Dangriga Town earlier for the boat to Manta Island.

Your arrival would look something like this:

1:00PM – Arrive at Belize International Airport (BZE), clear customs & immigration.
2:40PM – Local Flight to Dangriga Town, met by resort driver when you land.
3:30PM – 4:30PM Departure time for boat trip to Manta Island.

For your departure back home, the boat leaves the island at 6:45AM. We recommend booking an international flight that leaves Belize around 12PM to allow sufficient travel time back to the Belize International Airport (BZE). Too early for breakfast? We’ll pack it up for you!

Your departure would look something like this:

6:45AM – Boat trip to Dangriga Town then shuttle to the Maya airstrip.
9:00AM – Local flight to Belize International Airport (BZE).

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly if you have any questions about flight times. Kindly note that boat transfer times may be subject to change due to external factors which include but are not limited to imposed international flight schedule changes as well as weather conditions.

What are the entry requirements for Belize?

A valid passport for no less than three months after your intended period of stay for citizens of the following countries: U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Venezuela, CARICOM member states, nationals of European Community countries. Children under 18 years of age traveling with one parent require a notarized letter of authority from the other parent indicating travel consent. Travelers are permitted to stay in Belize for 30 days. Extensions for longer stays can be processed through the Immigration Office in Belize City for a fee, check with that office for the most recent fee. Kindly note, this info is subject to change, please refer to the Belize Tourism Site.
Belize requires citizens from the following countries to have an entry visa: China, Cuba, Honduras, Haiti, South Africa, Taiwan, India, Libya and more. We do not keep an exhaustive list, for more up to date info see check this website.
For COVID-19 entry requirements, tips can be found on our COVID-19 info page, we do strive to keep that page updated but it is best to refer to the Belize Tourism Site for the most up to date info.

"Manta makes it very easy to not even look at going anywhere else. If you're looking for an all inclusive like Sandals with 800 other guest, this is NOT for you. Manta is quiet, secluded, off the grid with every luxury needed and is the perfect place to relax, reflect and be thankful for places like this. Make friends, with the other guest and join the Manta family. We will be returning to true paradise not soon enough."