Exotic diving adventure in extraordinary Madagascar
Travel period
Features
Starting at
On diving vacation to Madagascar
Near the southeast coast of Africa you will find Nosy Be, an island belonging to Madagascar. People also call it the “Perfume Island” because of the wonderful scents of plantations where they grow Ylang-ylang, vanilla and spices such as pepper. But the most special thing about Nosy Be is what you find underwater. When you go diving, you will discover beautiful places similar to what you see in the Red Sea. In the Lokobe Nature Reserve, you can see lemurs. And in the Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve, you’ll swim among colorful corals and ancient shipwrecks taken over by the sea.
For divers who like adventure, there are special places such as the caves of the Arche of Sakatia and the sunken boat at the Mitsio Archipelago. These places are now home to many marine animals. The water there is always nice and warm, about 28°C and the view is very good. Whether you love beautiful corals, ancient shipwrecks or are thrilled to swim alongside sharks and manta rays, diving at Nosy Be is always a great experience.
Best travel time: For the best weather and optimal sea conditions, a visit between mid March and December are recommended. Keep in mind that whale shark season falls in October and November, while humpback whale season occurs in August and September. Between January and mid-March is the rainy season and it is not recommended to go there.
During this diving vacation you will dive at Blue Wave Diving.
Located on the idyllic Nosy Be in Madagascar, Blue Wave Diving has been a leading dive club for 20 years.
With a team of experienced instructors, they offer dives guided by professionals with thousands of dives to their name. Here, divers can sail the clear waters and dive the biodiversity of Nosy Be, then end the day under Madagascar’s starry skies.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Madagascar
We recommend a shorty or 3mm here. If you get cold really quickly you can consider a 5mm between July and September.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 to 3 - The journey to Nosy-Be, Madagascar
Today you will depart from Europe, almost always via Paris, to the airport of Antananarivo (the capital of Madagascar). Count on being travelling for about 12-14 hours. As a result, you usually arrive on the next day (day 2). After landing you have a transfer to a hotel near the airport, where you will spend the night. The next day (day 3). After breakfast, depart for the airport again and fly on to Nosy-Be. Because flight times change frequently, this is the only activity on the agenda for today. Depending on your flight times, you will land late morning or late afternoon in Nosy– Be, where you will be picked up by the driver of the Transat Lodge, your accommodation for the next 8 days.
Day 4 to 10 - Diving in Madagascar
Every morning, when the sun rises and illuminates the horizon, the dive boats start their engines and go for a new diving adventure. You will be picked up at the beach in front of the Transat lodge, at high tide. You do not have to visit the diving school yourself, we already arrange the paperwork in advance online. You will make 2 dives each day. The first day you will take your dive gear directly from the lodge onto the boat. The diving school will make sure the bottles, lead or other equipment you need is ready.
Your first day of diving begins at Sobeha (Rainbow), for example, an explosion of colors under water. Here, hundreds of fish species frolic among the coral, including graceful trumpet fish and shy white-tip sharks. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll even spot the rare leopard shark.
The next day you can immerse yourself in the depths of the Gorgonian Canyon, where divers can descend as deep as 60 meters. Here giant gorgonians stretch out into the sunlight and eagle rays swim gracefully through the waters.
Ankora, with its micro-wonders, calls lovers of smaller marine life. While observing flatworms and ghost fish, a school of fish may suddenly swim above your head, fleeing from hunting predatory fish.
Fesundrakua, on the other hand, promises greatness. Pelagic fish swim in abundance here and during the months of August to November, the tranquility is sometimes interrupted by the majestic humpback whale breaking through the waters.
Then there is the Enchanted Forest, an enchanted world that lives up to its name. Giant gorgonians and sponges dominate the landscape, while large green turtles perch to rest in this serene environment.
Finally, the Grand Bank, an impressive wall dive at the edge of the continental shelf, awaits. Here a spectacle unfolds before your eyes with large schools of fish swimming by and several species of sharks, including the imposing hammerhead shark, patrolling the depths.
Day 11 - Nosy Be, what a colorful island....
Today you have a day to yourself and we also recommend not diving a full day before your departure as flight times change frequently. Nosy-be has extraordinary things to see, not only underwater but also above!
For example, explore the Lokobe Nature Park in a private tour accompanied by a guide. Here you’ll dive into one of Madagascar’s last pristine jungles and discover its wealth of colors – which means “Lokobe” in the Malagasy language. You will come face to face with ancient plants, playful lemurs, giant turtles and numerous reptiles in a breathtaking natural setting.
For the adventurous soul, there is a day trekking on Nosy Komba at the Black Lemur Sanctuary. In a six-hour adventure, you will imagine yourself in a nature documentary, where you will be introduced to lemurs, chameleons and an array of exotic plants. The route will take you through authentic jungle villages and you will taste local delicacies such as cocoa, sugar cane and various tropical fruits unique to the area along the way. Prepare for an unforgettable encounter with the friendly lemurs, especially in winter when they come closer than you ever expected.
At the Transat lodge and diving school, they are happy to advise and help you to make the most of this day based on your needs.
Day 12 13 - Return to Antananarivo and on to home
After a week of unforgettable diving experiences on Nosy-Be, the realization dawns that the adventure is coming to an end. The sun begins its daily dance over the Indian Ocean, its rays reflecting golden light across the azure waters.
You’ll pack your suitcase, enjoy another delicious breakfast and then head for the Nosy-Be airport. You will fly back home via Antananarivo.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Transat Lodge
The Transat Lodge at NosyBe is a hidden jewel in Madagascar. At the bay of Madirokely, near the bustling Ambatoloaka with its cozy bars, pubs and eateries, the lodge offers everything you need for an unforgettable stay. Directly from the hotel you step onto the beach, a perfect balance between adventure and pure relaxation. In addition to the tranquility of the beach and natural surroundings, the Transat Lodge has a warm, cozy atmosphere. It is a place where elegance and serenity come together, ideal to discover NosyBe in all its splendor.
There are 5 bungalows and 1 house available in this intimate resort, all with stunning ocean and beach views, where you can fully enjoy the tranquility of nature. All accommodations are equipped with linens, towels, mosquito nets, refrigerator, kettle, bathroom, toilet, hot water, safe and WIFI. The house also has air conditioning.
VIGIE Bungalow (1-2 persons): This bungalow, located on the top floor, offers a bedroom with a large double bed and a bathroom. The elevated private terrace gives a panoramic view of the sea.
WHALE Bungalow (1-2 persons): A ground-level bungalow equipped with modern facilities, including a bedroom and a bathroom. Enjoy the sea from your elevated private terrace.
TURTLE Bungalow (1-2 persons): A ground floor bungalow with a bedroom and bathroom and a panoramic view of the sea from the elevated terrace.
FISH SHELL Bungalow (1-5 people): Spread over two floors, with a bedroom, a bathroom and upstairs another double bed and a single bed. From your private terrace you look directly out over the sea.
HOUSE (sleeps 6): A two-story house with one bedroom, bathroom and kitchen downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. The terrace offers a direct view of the sea.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is US$ 1.165 per person based on two people in one VIGIE bungalow. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from US$ 1.165 p.p.
- 9 nights in a VIGIE bungalow
- Stay on a bed and breakfast basis
- Return airport transfers Nosy Be/ Transat Lodge
- Dive package consisting of 14 dives at Blue Wave Diving
- 1 night in an airport hotel day 2, based on lodging and return transfers
- VZR, Calamity Fund Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Antananarivo from US$ 777 p.p.
- Flight Antananarivo - Nosy-Be from US$ 389 p.p.
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe.
However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide.
Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Diving equipment, incl computer US$ 20 per day
- Day Excursion Nosy-Be
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general
Boat Dives
These range from 10–40 min driving
2 dives per day
Yes, through NAUI
10-minute walk, but for diving youwill be picked up.
Diving equipment
Standard diving is done with DIN, but they can supply adapters for INT controllers
Yes. US$ 20 per day.
Other activities excursions
No. For this, you have to do day trips.
Yes, a lot. From the reception everything can be arranged. See our suggestions in the day description, at day 11.
Accommodation
No, only the house for 6 has air conditioning.
Yes.
Breakfast is served and there are also several nice eateries in the area.
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