Nosy Be is an island off Madagascar’s north-western coast. In the southeast, the forests of Lokobe Reserve shelter chameleons, geckos, and frogs. The capital, known as Hell-Ville, has French colonial buildings and a covered market. Lemuria Land is home to a variety of lemurs, plus reptiles. Also in the park is a 19th-century distillery still used to extract essential oils from the native ylang-ylang trees.

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 scuba diving, snorkeling, 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 unrivaled snorkeling and scuba diving and the Lemur sanctuary on Nosy Komba is well worth visiting. Some travelers opt for a Dhow Safari, hopping between the different islands on a traditional sailing boat.

Highlights

• The best place in Madagascar to enjoy its tropical beaches
• Nosy Be features a variety of accommodation and beaches
• The Lobéké Nature Reserve is a great place to experience the country’s biodiversity
• The lemur sanctuary on Nosy Komba offers a personal encounter with these animals
• .Nosy Tanikely offers an unparalleled snorkeling experience due to its stunning coral reefs and clear waters swimming with the whale sharks.

Swimming with the whale sharks in Nosy be

If you consider yourself a daredevil, then diving with the whale sharks in the deep blue waters of Nosy Be will pique your interest. Madagascan Reefs are among the rare places on earth where you will get to swim along with the whale sharks, manta rays, and stingrays. The depths of the Indian Ocean treasure fish of variegated colors and coral reefs of indefinite shapes. This is truly one of the exciting and unique things to do in Madagascar and you ought not to miss it.

How to get Nosy to be Madagascar

There are two ways to get to Nosy Be. You can fly into Fascene Airport (NOS), which is located a 20-minute drive northeast of Hell-Ville on the coast. Several airlines offer flights to Nosy Be, including Air Madagascar, Air Austral, Airlink, and Ethiopian Airlines. You can also get there by boat from Ankify on the mainland. Passenger speedboats depart when full and take approximately 40 minutes. If you have a rental car, a vehicle ferry plies the same route and takes 2 hours.

Getting Around Nosy Be

The easiest way to get around Nosy Be is to hire a car, scooter, or quad bike. Quad bikes are particularly great for exploring the narrow dirt tracks that criss-cross the island’s interior (remember that helmets are compulsory). Tuk-tuks are a cheap way to get around in Hell-Ville, while shared taxis run between the capital and Ambatoloaka or Djamandjary. You can also hire a private taxi to take you anywhere you want to go. Local dhows and speedboats are used to explore the coast or reach the surrounding islands.

Where to stay in Nosy Be

Nosy Be is known for its upscale resorts. Amongst the best are VOI Amarina Resort and Andilana Beach Resort. The former occupies the top spot on Trip Advisor and overlooks a private beach on the northwest coast. The latter is an all-inclusive option with a choice of restaurants, a long list of activities, and an on-site dive center. For a more boutique experience, choose the Vanila Hotel & Spa. This west coast property boasts traditional architecture, four-tiered infinity pools, and an impressive spa. Bungalows d’Ambonara is a budget-friendly choice on the outskirts of Hell-Ville with an excellent restaurant and a swimming pool.

Best time to visit Nosy Be in Madagascar

The best time to visit Nosy-Be in Madagascar is from January until December when you will have a pleasant or warm temperature and limited until mediocre rainfall. The highest average temperature in Nosy-Be is 29°C in January and the lowest is 23°C in July. The water temperature is between 24°C and 29°C.

The average climate figure for Nosy-Be is an 8, 4. This is based on various factors, such as average temperatures, the chance of precipitation, and weather experiences of others.

Nosy-Be has the tropical monsoon climate prevailing. If you want to know what the average temperature is in Nosy-Be or when most precipitation (rain or snow) falls, you can find an overview below. This way, you are well prepared. Our average monthly climate data is based on data from the past 30 years.