This lush “Perfumed Isle” blends palm-fringed beaches with vanilla-scented forests. Whether you’re after barefoot luxury or boutique Nosy Be accommodation, this tropical gem is the perfect end to a Madagascar tour.
April to November
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Nosy be is a year-round destination and can be treated as a stand-alone beach holiday destination. There are direct flight connections with Johannesburg on a weekly basis. Plus some other airlines fly into or out of Nosy Be now (but only once or twice a week.)
Nosy Be is Madagascar’s best-known island escape—think warm seas, golden sand, and cocktails that come with tiny umbrellas. It’s the largest of several beautiful islands off the north-west coast of Madagascar such as Nosy Komba and Nosy Tsarabanjina.
Inland the lush interior is alive with the smells of vanilla, ylang-ylang and coffee. Visit smaller islands to swim with turtles and whale sharks or walk with lemurs.
Whether you want the best Nosy Be beach resort for barefoot luxury or a family-friendly Nosy Be hotel with a pool and kids’ activities, you’ll find a spot that fits like your favourite flip-flops.
The north of the island is wilder and more secluded. It’s home to boutique Nosy Be lodges tucked into forested headlands. Perfect for couples chasing sunset views and candle-lit dinners on the sand.
If you’d rather balance beach time with craft-market browsing and café-hopping, stay near Ambatoloaka. You’ll find mid-sized Nosy Be beach resorts with multiple restaurants, spas and family rooms.
Several smaller picture-perfect islands with sandy beaches and a rich coral life. Here you experience tropical-island living at its best, superb diving and unspoiled natural beauty.
Here we play fast and loose with geography. As this luxury resort lies much further to the west of Nosy Be. But it’s the classic alternative to a Nosy Be resort.
Post-Safari Chill-Out: Fly from Tana straight to the island for hammock therapy.
Eastern Circuit Combo: Safari in Andasibe, then hop north for beach bliss.
Andasibe, Northern Madagascar and Nosy Be
Pro Tip:
Look at international flight options which allow you to fly home directly from Nosy Be. (Ethiopian Airlines and Airlink to Johannesburg.) Then you can avoid a night in Tana on the way home—more sunsets, fewer hotel swaps.
Hit the “Enquire Now” button, and we’ll match you with romantic island lodges, or the best Nosy Be beach resorts for diving—all tailored to your travel dates and budget.
I really enjoyed my family’s stay at Sakatia Lodge. In fact it really grew on me as we spent time there. It’s a family-run lodge with a very friendly team and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. verything was kept very clean and neat yet the lush tropical vegetation was all around you. The snorkelling was excellent. I particularly loved the fact that we saw green turtles every time we went snorkelling. This was a magical experience. One minute you are snorkelling quietly, focused on the coral and the fish. Next minute a massive green turtle comes swimming by, does a double-take and then calmly swims past. Magical!
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