Nosy-Be: Forest, crater lakes and island experiences
Accommodation in Nosy-Be
Nosy-Be can be discovered in very different ways: with a walk through protected primary forest, a view over crater lakes, days at the beach, or insights into village culture and local products. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can therefore first ask yourself which of these experiences you want to shape your trip. Nature, coast and culture each offer their own focus, rather than just one way to experience the island.
Forest and volcanic landscape
Lokobe National Park is home to the last protected primary forest on Nosy Be. Its wildlife includes lemurs, reptiles, chameleons, insects and tropical birds. Those especially interested in nature will find a very different focus here from the beaches or a village walk.
The Mahery trail in Lokobe National Park leads to a 430-metre-high summit and takes five to six hours. Afterwards, a pirogue trip is possible. The duration makes the tour a distinct focus for an outing; plan accordingly if you want to include forest and summit in your trip.
Mont Passot offers another landscape: the extinct volcano reaches 329 metres and has a panoramic terrace with a 360-degree view over the Mozambique Channel. Eight small crater lakes surround the mountain and are considered sacred. Those interested in volcanic landscapes and views will find a different emphasis here than in Lokobe's primary forest.
Beaches and experiences on the water
Andilana forms the northern tip of Nosy Be. White sand and turquoise water define the beach; swimming and snorkelling are among the favourite activities there. At Ambondrona beach, snorkelling, beginner windsurfing and kayaking are offered. These places represent different ways to spend time on the water.
Diving is also among the region's experiences: at high-quality dive sites around Nosy Be, visitors can encounter sea turtles, stingrays and manta rays. From the beaches of Madirokely and Ambatoloaka, you can take diving trips or go deep-sea fishing with various operators. Between September and November, humpback whales can also be watched around Nosy Be.
Nearby Nosy Tanikely is a protected marine and coastal area. Possible activities there include swimming, snorkelling, picnics and a walk to the island summit. Those interested in sailing can also consider the northwest coast around Nosy Be: the Mitsio and Radama archipelagos and deep bays characterise this coast, whose bays are used for sailing.
Village culture and local products
Marodoka is considered the first village on Nosy Be and is a former Swahili village. The cultural tour includes a visit to the village and an ylang-ylang distillery. Another tour focuses on djowa, which is prepared from local produce and medicinal plants and can be sampled. This allows village history, an insight into distillation and local ingredients to be considered as distinct cultural interests.
The cocoa tour is a four-kilometre walk through a cocoa farm and lasts two to three hours. It is a distinct outing alongside the cultural tour and the trail through Lokobe. On weekends, local music and dance can also be found at the beaches of Madirokely and Ambatoloaka. Those putting culture and food at the centre can weigh these experiences in their choice of stay alongside nature and water activities.
Getting around Nosy-Be
Boats, pirogues and shuttle services are among the main forms of transport on Nosy Be; cars can also be rented there. Take these mobility options into account when deciding which places and activities you want to shape your stay. Organised motorised tours around Nosy Be include swimming stops, sightseeing and pirogue rides. They offer another way to include different interests in your trip.
For further orientation on Nosy-Be, you can also find the location pages Ambalakatakata and Andoany.
For the overarching travel overview: Antsiranana.
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