If there was anyplace for a die-hard open water swimming to feel right at home, it would be the Manta Resort off Pemba Island in Zanzibar.
As Africa’s first underwater hotel, it sits 4 meters below the surface and 250 meters off the coastline in the Indian Ocean.
Torquoise waters and marine life in an idyllic setting where one can swim to their hotel from land in a short warmup, the Manta Resort is one extraordinarily cool underwater room with an ocean view.
For more information of the hotel inspired by Sweden’s artist Mikael Genberg and created by the Genberg Underwater Hotels Company, visit underwaterroom.com.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.