Nosy Be West: Crater Lakes, Coast and Culture

Nosy Be West offers plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors: the white-sand beach of Andilana, snorkelling, crater lakes, hiking and local culture. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, first consider whether your holiday will be shaped mainly by beach activities, nature experiences, or excursions and local life. The places and activities below each offer a different focus.

Crater Lakes and Views from Mount Passot

Mount Passot is 329 metres high. Its panoramic terrace offers a 360-degree view. Eight small crater lakes surround the mountain. They are considered sacred and are home to unique freshwater fish. The viewpoint is therefore set in a distinctive landscape, where the lakes themselves are also part of the experience. At Mount Passot, the Antsidihy circuit is ideal for birdwatching. Bird enthusiasts will find a reason to focus not only on the panoramic view but also on the trail.

Beach Days and Experiences on the Water

Andilana is at the northern tip of Nosy Be. White sand and turquoise water define the beach, where swimming and snorkelling are popular activities. Ambondrona Beach lies on the northwest coast of Nosy Be. Snorkelling, windsurfing and kayaking are available there. The two beach destinations therefore offer different ways to enjoy the water: swimming and snorkelling are popular in Andilana, while Ambondrona also offers windsurfing and kayaking.

Water-based excursions offer further ways to explore the area. Scuba diving at depths of 12 to 20 metres is possible in the nearby Nosy Tanihely National Park. Nosy Tanihely can be reached by boat from Hell-Ville, Ambatoloaka, Andilana or Ankify. A day trip off Nosy Be can include swimming with whale sharks in the morning and snorkelling with green sea turtles in the afternoon. Visitors can also join whale-watching trips off Nosy Be in small organised groups. The Nosy Be region has dive sites where you may encounter sea turtles, stingrays and manta rays.

Hikes and Excursions

The Lokobe National Park offers five- to six-hour hikes along the Mahery circuit. This is a useful guide for anyone planning to spend longer periods on foot during their trip. If you would rather explore different activities at sea, various operators offer diving and deep-sea fishing excursions from Ambatoloaka. These options provide different starting points for planning your holiday: a hike in the national park, excursions from Ambatoloaka, or activities at the beaches.

Local Culture and Getting Your Bearings in Hell-Ville

On weekends, the beaches of Madirokely and Ambatoloaka host local music and dancing from sunset to sunrise. Nearby, the Marodoka cultural centre includes the first mosque built in Madagascar, dating from around 1700. A tasting of djowa, a traditional dish made with local produce and medicinal plants, is also offered there. Marodoka thus brings together a historic site and a culinary discovery.

Hell-Ville offers practical amenities, including banks, internet cafés, a tourist office, hotels and restaurants. Its port handles traffic with Madagascar’s main island. When choosing where to stay, you can first sort out your travel priorities: Andilana and Ambondrona are associated with beach activities, Hell-Ville and Ambatoloaka are among the departure points mentioned for boat trips, and Lokobe and Mount Passot are good choices for nature experiences.

More destinations: Antafondro, Ambaro, Ampangorinana, Antalaha, Antsirabe.

For the broader travel overview: Antsiranana.