Diving trip Madagascar – Diving on Nosy Be

Nosy-Be, Madagascar: Dive with whale sharks, spot humpback whales and discover many more unusual animals above and below the water in this paradise.

Travel period

April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Features

Boatdiving

Starting from

12 days from € 1.450 p.p.

Diving vacation Madagascar: discover Nosy Be

Diving in Madagascar takes place around the Nosy Be archipelago, a group of 7 islands, some of which are uninhabited and others with facilities such as hotels and diving schools. You’ll stay on the largest island during this trip: Nosy Be. This tropical paradise is also called the “Perfume Island” because of the scents of vanilla and spice plantations.

Underwater, however, Nosy Be is even more impressive. The coral reefs are colorful and healthy, full of life from microscopic small to big game. During a week of diving you can enjoy an abundance of macro life, colorful corals, ancient shipwrecks and caves AND you will often meet playful dolphins. In the right season, humpback whales and whale sharks also swim around here, making every dive an unforgettable experience.

Rich in biodiversity, the reefs offer something for everyone: from peaceful drift dives along coral formations to exciting encounters with sharks and manta rays. Above water there is a relaxed, tropical vibe, with friendly locals and beautiful beaches providing the perfect end to a day of diving. Nosy Be combines adventure, nature and relaxation in a way you won’t find anywhere else.

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.

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 begins the journey to Madagascar! The flight goes to Antananarivo, the capital city. Expect to spend about 12 to 14 hours on the road, arriving the next day. Because of this, it is often most comfortable to stay another night in Antananarivo and not fly on to Nosy Be until the next day. You will then stay for 1 night in a hotel near the airport.

On Day 3, you fly on to Nosy Be, a short 1.5-hour flight. You often arrive in the late morning, and the transfer is already waiting for you to take you to Le Zahir Lodge. The lodge is located on the southwest side of the island. You will stay right on the beach and in the middle of tropical park.

The rest of the day you can relax in the beautiful surroundings.

Day 4 to 10 | Diving in Madagascar

During your diving week around Nosy Be, you will stay at Le Zahir Lodge, from where you will be taken daily to various dive sites. The paperwork and equipment are arranged in advance, so you can start immediately. Every day there are 2 dives on the program.

Your first day of diving can begin at Sobeha (Rainbow), where colorful corals and hundreds of fish species, such as trumpet fish and white tip sharks, can be seen. With some luck, you’ll also spot a leopard shark here.

At the Gorgonian Canyon, you can make descents of up to 60 meters, among vast gorgonians and swimming eagle rays. For lovers of macro life, Ankora is ideal: here you will find flatworms, ghost fish and other small sea creatures, while schools of fish move above you.

Fesundrakua is known for its pelagic fish, and between August and November it is possible to see humpback whales. In the Enchanted Forest, large gorgonians and sponges dominate the landscape, and turtles rest here in peaceful surroundings.

The week can end at Grand Bank, a wall dive on the edge of the continental shelf. Large schools of fish and various shark species, including hammerhead sharks, swim around here, making for an impressive end to your diving week.

Day 11 | Exploring the colorful island of Nosy-Be

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 wonderful diving, the trip is over! Today you will return to Antananarivo and fly back home from there.

Did you know that you can also take wonderful tours of Madagascar? The island is one of the largest islands in the world and has amazing and unique flora and fauna. There are several opportunities to see some of this. For example, you have the lemurs, prosimians that can only be found in Madagascar. Other natural parks are also absolutely worth seeing. Feel free to ask us about the possibilities or take a look at our other trips to Madagascar for inspiration.

Highlights of this trip

What can you expect from the underwater world in Nosy Be?

Diving with whale sharks

In October and November you can spot whale sharks – the largest fish in the world – at Nosy Be. These impressive but harmless plankton eaters swim just below the surface and often allow themselves to be approached easily. You are likely to encounter them on a snorkeling or diving excursion, especially around Tanikely Marine Park or Mitsio Archipelago. Visibility is excellent during this season, and in addition to whale sharks, you’ll often see manta rays, dolphins and schools of tuna. Local diving schools organize ethically sourced trips where the welfare of the animals is paramount. It is a unique experience that will stay with any diving enthusiast.

Muck & macro spotting

Nosy Be is a paradise for lovers of macro and small marine life. On the colorful coral reefs you will find a huge diversity of nudibranchs, including brightly colored species such as the Spanish dancer and tiny nocturnal nudibranchs. It is also teeming with crustaceans, crabs, shrimp and small fish, which are often difficult to spot without patient observation. Macro dives here offer an unforgettable opportunity to discover the fascinating, detailed world beneath the surface, guided by experienced instructors who know the best spots.

Eagle Rays

A spectacular underwater highlight at Nosy Be is spotting eagle rays. These elegant rays float gracefully through the blue water, often in small groups. You have the best chance at drop-offs and sand flats around dive sites like Nosy Sakatia and the Mitsio Archipelago. But Nosy Be offers much more: the waters are incredibly rich in life. Think lionfish, moray eels, schools of snappers, as well as pelagic species such as tuna, barracuda and white tip sharks. The mix of macro and large life, along with the clear waters and healthy reefs, makes it a top destination for any diver.

The accommodation

The stay and the diving school

Le Zahir Lodge

Welcome to Le Zahir Lodge, a charming oasis in Madirokely on the island of Nosy Be. The lodge, inspired by traditional African lodges, combines the warm atmosphere of Madagascar with the comforts of modern accommodation. Just 30 minutes from the airport and 20 meters from the beach, this is the perfect place to enjoy peace, nature and the sea.

Le Zahir Lodge consists of 8 cozy brick bungalows with wooden roofs and a cozy, tropical feel. You can choose from spacious family suites or intimate one-bedroom bungalows with a cozy outdoor area – ideal for couples. Each bungalow is carefully furnished and equipped with every convenience: ventilation, hot water, a well-equipped kitchen, large mosquito nets and a private green garden that guarantees privacy and relaxation.

Central to the grounds is the 22-meter-long swimming pool, the heart of the lodge. Here you can enjoy a refreshing swim or relax with a drink in hand while looking out over the water.

Blue Wave Diving

During this diving vacation you will dive with Blue Wave Diving, which has been operating in Nosy Be for 20 years. Located in Madirokely, just 50 meters from the beach, the school offers guided diving and PADI courses for all levels.

Blue Wave Diving has a professional team of multilingual instructors (English, French, Italian and Spanish) and operates with modern equipment and well-maintained boats. The meeting point for departures is right on the beach of Madirokely, opposite the mooring for the speedboats. Here the diving equipment is already waiting for you, so you can leave without preparation.

Daily diving trips are organized with two dives at different locations around Nosy Be. The sailing time to the dive sites varies between 10 and 40 minutes. Blue Wave Diving is known for its safe, well-organized dives and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for both novice and experienced divers.

Travel costs

What is included

This travel package is € 1.450 per person based on two people in one deluxe 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 € 1.450 p.p.

9 nights in a deluxe bungalow
Stay on a bed and breakfast basis
Dive package consisting of 14 dives at Blue Wave Diving
Return transfers
1 night in an airport hotel day 2, based on lodging and return transfers
VZR & Administration fee

Excluding

✈︎ 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.