ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF

What are you looking for?

ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY
Email us
(optional)

Nosy Be

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

View Photos

Nosy Be

Team Member Headshot

By Andre Van Kets

Co-founder, Discover Africa

Safari Enquiry

Nosy Be is a small island a few kilometers off the northwestern coast of Madagascar. It’s Madagascar’s quintessential beach-holiday destination, with a delightful climate almost year-round and white-sand beaches so pure they squeak.

Its coral reefs are colorful and prolific, and the tropical waters, warmed by the Agulhas Current, beckon you in. Inland, forested reserves and lush ridges are home to island birds, peculiar reptiles, and lemurs, making Nosy Be an unmissable destination for sun-seekers and nature lovers alike.

On its south coast, the small port town of Andoany (more commonly known by its former French name, Hell-Ville) connects Nosy Be to mainland Madagascar by ferry.

enter image description here

It’s awash with bright colors, tuk-tuks, old colonial buildings, and busy markets selling fresh seafood and spices, and everywhere, the hypnotizing scent of ylang-ylang blossoms drifts through the air.

Highlights

Go snorkeling or scuba diving: Nosy Be’s inshore waters are shallow and protected by colourful coral reefs, making this one of the safest swimming spots in Madagascar and the perfect destination for families on holiday.

Most hotels and seaside resorts provide gear and offer snorkeling excursions for all ages, while many also organize scuba-diving trips for more adventurous guests.

Marine highlights include hawksbill-, loggerhead- and green turtles, which swim through the underwater meadows and use beaches on the nearby archipelagos for nesting.

Reef visitors include clownfish, pufferfish, batfish, and butterflyfish, and lucky divers might spot dolphins, humpback whales, or even a whale shark at the right time of year.

Hire a Scooter

There’s something particularly exotic about exploring an island with the wind in your hair, and Nosy Be is the perfect place to do it.

A ring road circles the island, so getting lost is almost impossible. It also gives you the freedom to explore some of the lesser-visited bays, and for budget travelers, it’s much cheaper than paying for a taxi.

Visit the Markets

A visit to one of the markets in Hell-Ville is an incredibly entertaining excursion filled with just the right mix of chaos, exotic sights, smells, and sounds.

enter image description here

It also gives you the opportunity to buy arts and crafts directly from local artists and support the local economy.

Charter a Boat

Get even closer to Nosy Be’s incredible marine life by hiring a live-aboard catamaran and spending several days exploring the nearby islands of Radamas and Mitsios.

Catamarans are available for groups or families with exclusive service (you won’t be sharing with strangers) and generally come with their own private chef.

enter image description here

Whale-watching excursions can also be arranged, while deep-sea fishing is a year-round activity with kingfish, sailfish, wahoo, mackerel, and yellow-fin tuna on the bill.

Go Hiking in Lokobe National Park:

For landlubbers, Nosy Be’s Lokobe National Park offers a magical mix of island flora and fauna, which visitors can spot on one of three hiking trails.

These range from a leisurely one-hour forest meander to a more challenging three-hour route.
There’s also the option to hire a pirogue (small dugout canoe) and explore the park’s shores from the water.

Practical Information
  • Nosy Be shares a microclimate with the north of Madagascar, largely dominated by the Tsaratanana Massif.
  • This gives it year-round sunshine, and daytime highs rarely dip below 20°C (68°F). It also means that rain can fall at any time of year, but the showers don’t usually last longer than a few hours.
    Unlike much of Madagascar, where accommodation prices are listed as ‘per room,’ the prices for accommodation on Nosy Be are generally quoted ‘per person.’ Keep this in mind when comparing quotes, and always ask before booking.
  • Most travelers arrive by air, on local flights from Antananarivo or Antsiranana or long-haul flights from hubs such as Johannesburg or Paris. These direct flights allow travelers to avoid the potential hassle of flying via the mainland, but as such, they are hugely popular and get booked up very far in advance.
  • Nosy Be is exceptionally safe, and the people are incredibly friendly and helpful, but it’s still best to avoid walking alone after dark or flashing valuables.

How it Works

2

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

3

Enjoy an authentic African experience, with peace of mind

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you choose the perfect African safari for your adventure.
24/7 Support
Flexible
Authentic
Personalized

Why travel with us?

Recent reviews from travellers who planned and booked their Africa trips with Discover Africa Safaris
Great at organising our itinerary.

3 Day Kruger Shalati Safari Review

Ron, United Kingdom
29 Aug 2023
Great All Inclusive trip!

Six day Victoria Falls Holiday review

Robert , Saudi Arabia
28 Apr 2023
Megan found us the perfect honeymoon safari experience.

Honeymoon on a South African Safari Review

Thomas Mitchell, United States
07 Feb 2020
I am glad to say all of us are very happy and...

African Holiday Review

Asit, India
07 Jun 2017
Your services are 10 / 10!

Hluhluwe Imfolozi park tour review

Mokatse Itumeleng, South Africa
01 Sep 2013
Africa travel was made so easy with Discover Africa Safaris.

Cape Town to Victoria Falls Tour Review

Arne Woudstra, Netherlands
01 Jan 2006

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

Megan Warrington, Safari Travel Planner

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

HELP ME PLAN
Copyright © Discover Africa Safaris | Nosy Be | Last Updated: 29 September 2023