Fodor's Expert Review Mantaray Island Resort

This appropriately named resort is home to a multitude of ocean mantas between the months of May and October; these magnificent sea creatures have returned for centuries to the shallows bays that surround Nanuya Balavu to feed and be cleaned. When mantas are sighted, beach drums are sounded and guests head to boats to check out the action; some guests even snorkel with the mantas. Speaking of snorkeling, the protected "house reef" right off the resort's beach has some of the best diving around. There are plenty of other wet activities, too: paddle boarding, kayaking, sunset tube cruises (a train of inner tubes towed slowly behind the boat, with a guest and their cocktail nestled in each one), and a dive center that offers scuba certification courses at unbelievable prices. The accommodations vary from "big dorm" to cute jungle bure, complete with en suite bathrooms.