Nosy Be

Silky white sands and azure blue waters combine with coral reefs and tropical forests to form the backdrop to the Nosy Be Archipelago, a place of pure magic and wonder! With all the essentials for a dream beach holiday such as scubadiving, snorkelling, warm waters and excellent weather, this collection of islands also offers the opportunity to spot lemurs and chameleons, hike through lush rainforest and explore the unique fauna and flora of Madagascar.

The main island, Nosy Be, is home to about 60 000 people and is located just 8km off the north-west coast of Madagascar. The Fascene airport is just 12km from the main town of Hellville, which contrary to its name is quite a pleasant place. The island spans an area of 300 km² with eleven volcanic crater lakes and there are some beautiful beaches and luxury resorts along its coastline.

But if you're looking for the ultimate deserted island experience, we recommend heading further afield. There are a number of smaller and more secluded islands in the vicinity such as Nosy Komba, Nosy Mitsio, Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Tanikely. These offer unrivalled snorkelling and scubadiving and the Lemur sanctuary on Nosy Komba is well worth visiting. Some travellers opt for a Dhow Safari, hopping between the different islands on a traditional sailing boat.