The best beaches of Madagascar!
How to ignore the beauty of the Madagascar beaches… A warm and crystalline water that borders kilometers of white sandy coasts. Relax for a day or an hour in the cool shade of the palm trees and then head for the many lagoons around. A total disorientation awaits you in a setting of shamed colors. The beaches of Madagascar also offer a multitude of activities to do alone, with family or friends. Diving, snorkelling, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and many cruises in dhow or sailing are offered.
THE ARCHIPELAGO OF NOSY BE, A POSTCARD LANDSCAPE
Nosy Be is the main island of an archipelago of a dozen small islands. It is called the island of perfumes because of its scents of ylang ylang, sugar cane and spices. It is a land of dreams and adventure, and you can practice many activities there. You can also enjoy the heavenly beaches littering the coasts.
The pearl of the Mozambique canal
Situated in the Mozambique Canal, near the north-western coast of Madagascar, Nosy Be is called Ambariobe (“the great island”) by the inhabitants of the region.
This volcanic island of approximately 320 km² is the ideal starting point for cruises to paradisiac archipelagos, or to the west coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be contains many other surprises! The island is overflowed with a dense forest sprinkled with volcanic lakes, and an exceptional fauna and flora. The archipelago has many islands that are very easy to visit. The most famous are Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Sakatia, and Nosy Iranja.
NOSY KOMBA, THE LEMURS ISLAND
The largest and most populous island after Nosy Be is Nosy Komba. It contains many varities of lemurs protected by the local “fady” meaning forbidden. This means that they are sacred. By hiking or trekking, you will enjoy its wild nature and its deserted beaches with turquoise waters.
Nosy Tanikely and its marine park
Nosy Tanikely is located at the South of Nosy Be.
This island is the most visited one. It’s also a real live aquarium, with exceptional marine life and one of the most beautiful scuba diving sites of the region. Since 2010 Nosy Tanikely has become a marine national park and also a protected site.
STROLL TO NOSY SAKATIA
This small island is very quiet, and is only 10 minutes by boat from Nosy Be. There is a great dive site and great forest trails where you will discover wild orchids, bats, chameleons, and other species of fauna and flora. If you are feeling lucky, dolphins will come to greet you during your diving session!
A full-fledged destination
Beyond it’s stunning beaches, Nosy Be is a full-fledged destination. It is one of nature lovers favorite places for sports and terrestrial and maritime discoveries. In family, in pairs, in solo or with friends, go meet the population of the island and enjoy the many activities offered by the archipelago. There are so many activities to do and to discover in such an extraordinary place like the following: excursions, diving, snorkeling, sport fishing, cruises, kitesurf, hiking, trekking, raids in quad or motorcycle, and horseback riding.
Stunning beaches, but not just that!
There are many tourist sites in Nosy Be. Organize a trekking tour or a quad excursion for yourself and go discover the Nosy Be waterfall. You can bathe in the midst of a luxuriant vegetation, begin the ascent of the Mont Passot (the highest peak of Nosy Be), and admire a 360° view of breathtaking landscapes that the island has to offer.
The island is full of little discoveries to make you want to come !
ILE SAINTE MARIE, A HISTORIC ISLAND
Sainte Marie is an authentic place that is preserved from mass tourism. It is a real haven of peace. It is very appreciated by the inhabitants of the capital because of its proximity and its idyllic setting made up of beautiful beaches and fishing villages. You will enjoy the calm and tranquility for an unforgettable trip.
A paradise island in the heart of the Indian Ocean
Sainte Marie island is a popular destination in Madagascar, also known as Nosy Boraha. Located to the northeast of Madagascar, Sainte Marie island is a tropical paradise of 60km long and 5km wide. It is a former pirate’s hideaway with lush vegetation and high-quality seabed. Indeed, the lagoon of the island has important coral constructions that allow to have a preserved natural heritage. Away from sharks, it’s also the holiday resort of humpback whales that come to breed and to give birth during the mating season.
The island is full of history and activities to discover with your family and friends. You’ll find exceptional diving spots, dreamy beaches and forest trails that while delight nature lovers.
GO WATCH THE HUMPBACK WHALES OF MADAGASCAR
Sainte Marie is the main migration destination for humpback whales, and you can’t go there without going to watch the whales. They travel nearly 5000km to Madagascar, where they choose to live for a few months to mate and to give birth. Don’t miss this opportunity to make this an unforgettable encounter!
THE EMERALD SEA, AN IDYLLIC PLACE
Diego Suarez is the main town north of Madagascar. It is a dreamy destination and offers a range of nautical and land activities, in an incredible and breathtaking setting. From beaches to imposing mountain massifs, you will discover a different setting at each stage of your journey. This will be an epic journey that will offer you a lot of memories!
A Colorful Journey
The city of Diego Suarez, also called Antsiranana is the largest city north of Madagascar. It is also the 3rd port of the island. It was for a long time, the former French garrison, where the remains of colonization is still seen today. Diego-Suarez and its region are full of incredible landscapes – Ramena beach is the most obvious. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with miles of turquoise water and white sand bordering it. The region has many fishing villages and offers the Amber and Ankarana Mountains as background. You can’t miss the many other sites with grand landscapes that Diego-Suarez has to offer, like the red Tsingy or the Emerald Sea. An exceptional stay filled with flamboyant colors awaits you!
THE EMERALD SEA
The emerald sea is a site of supernatural beauty, thanks to its crystalline waters and blinding turquoise color. The shallow depth of water added to a very clear sandy bottom, gives off this particular color. This is why it is named, “The Emerald Sea.” Accessible by boat, you won’t miss a stop to sleep under the stars on the small virgin islands that extend around it.
The red Tsingy of Antsiranana
You can’t miss the area of Diego Suarez without admiring the sharp points in red colors called “red tsingy” – an amazing and surprising discovery through the mountains. It contains sandstone, marl, and limestone, and you’ll find the only sedimentary basin of the island at the foot of the eroded canyons.
Ankarana natural reserve
The Ankarana natural reserve promises a spectacle of landscapes that are more incredible than the others. It was born under the sea a million years ago. Unique species have evolved there, adapting to the very dry climate and the darkness that reigns in the bottom of the tsingy cavities. You will see bats, lemurs, and crocodiles that all contribute to the natural ecosystem of the reserve.
RAMENA, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH OF THE WORLD
Ramena is a small traditional fishing village with 3km of white sandy beach along the coast, located about 20km from Diego Suarez. There is a typical coral beach where you’ll be able to practice many nautical activities in a water exceeding 25°C. Ramena also offers more cultural visits in colonial fortifications like the former military camp that is now in ruins.
The other excursions to do
The Diego-Suarez region offers many excursions to do. There is Ambilobe, which is a starting point to discover the Ankarana culture. In the heart of the Mahavavy Valley, you’ll discover the sugar cane plantations, the sacred waterfall and many viewpoints around the city. You will be able to explore the numerous bays which border the coasts of Diego Suarez and the island of Nosy Hara, offering a sublime setting. If you are more experienced, you can go trekking in the Montagne des Francais or the Windsor Castle, exposing monolith that can be seen from Diego Suarez.
What can you do ?
Due to its diversity of landscapes, Diego Suarez offers many different activities. The climbing slopes of the bay offer a perfect playground for climbing enthusiasts. You can also enjoy many water sports like kayaking, scuba diving, kitesurfing, windsurfing, fishing, etc. If you prefer more land-based activities, Diego Suarez offers many trekking tours as well as motorized raids (quads and motorbikes).
AMBER MOUNTAIN
The Amber Mountain National Park culminates at 1475 meters, from Joffreville, which is 30km from Diego.
You will find numerous species of lemurs, boas, and butterflies, in the midst of this flora. If you have a little luck, you’ll see the tuberous brookesia crouched in foliage. It’s the world’s smallest primate which is the size of a thimble.
RAMENA, SMALL FISHING VILLAGE
Fringed by 3km of white sandy beach, Ramena beach will delight the snorkeling enthusiasts. The deserted beaches and the calm of the sea are ideal for beach lovers. Located in the “3 bays” of the coast of Diego-Suarez, Ramena beach is…
