About the country
Nosy Be is an island off the northwest coast of “the mainland” : Madagascar. It’s a pleasant base for diving in Madagascar in the Mozambique Channel. Dives take place along the large plateau running along the Malagasy coast. To the south lies the Radama Archipelago, to the north the Mitsio Archipelago.
We did a cruise around the Radama archipelago, starting from Nosy Be all the way to Nosy Saba island. Whether in terms of site topography, like Trois Roches, Greg Wall or Banc du Cyclone, northwest Madagascar offers a rich and varied landscape : giant gorgonians, arches, gentle sandy slopes for both big and small stuff, …
The dives are drift dives, but we had very little current and rather good visibility for the season (late December).
We also dived around Nosy Be, at the Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Range islets, for gorgeous small critters.
Our opinion
Difficulty
Visibility
Diversity
Atmosphere
Practical
In December 2018.
Diving Cattitude offers several custom cruises departing from Nosy Be.
Their rather unique catamaran was custom-built with good engines. With a capacity of 6 people, it’s very comfortable. The crew is made up of four people who take great care of you. Hassan, the chef, prepares good, varied dishes based on the day’s catch.
Dives around the Radama islands are done as drift dives straight from the boat. Malik is passionate about it, and dives with him always feel safe, he loves the big stuff and goes looking for it, to our great delight.
Sakalav’ Diving , on the beach northwest of Nosy Be, facing Sakatia. We dived in the bay because of the weather, but we had a great time with Nathalie hunting for small critters. The club is a small operation but has three fairly comfortable boats. It’s the lap of luxury, you don’t carry or set up your own tank. You go out for two dives with a surface interval on the boat, where the mood is great and the conversation flows.
In December 2018.
Gérard et Francine, a charming hotel in a lovely house set back from Ambatoloaka beach, the rooms are small but the common areas are really nice. (Note : no air conditioning in the main building.)
La Case Sakalava, up in the hills, simple but pleasant accommodation with half board and a diving package. The meals are generous. Beautiful view and absolute peace and quiet ! The dive club is a 10-minute walk away on the beach.
In December 2018.
We didn’t have much time to spend on land, but the islands are absolutely beautiful, …
The Lokobe primary forest is worth the detour to see, among other things, the diurnal and nocturnal lemurs.
To avoid : Ambatoloaka beach, ultra touristy and not at all representative of the island’s real atmosphere.