Madagascar: Nosy Be & Northern Islands

Duration

7 Days

Embarkation

Nosy Be (Crater Marina)

Disembarkation

Nosy Be (Crater Marina)

Best season

April – November

Total distance

120 NM

Overview

Madagascar's northern islands offer one of the Indian Ocean's most extraordinary yacht charter experiences — pristine reefs, endemic wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, and a sense of genuine exploration. This 7-day itinerary explores the islands around Nosy Be, from lemur-inhabited forests to turtle nesting beaches.

Highlights

• Nosy Iranja — turtle island
• Lemur encounters on Nosy Komba
• Whale shark snorkelling
• Lokobe Nature Reserve
• Pristine coral reefs
• Vanilla and ylang-ylang plantations

Day by day

1. Day 1: Nosy Be — Perfume Island

   Nosy Be

   Morning: Arrive at Fascene Airport and transfer to Crater Marina. Board your yacht with a Malagasy welcome.

   Afternoon: Explore Nosy Be — visit the ylang-ylang distillery, the vanilla plantations, and the sacred banyan tree of Mahatsinjo.

   Evening: Dinner aboard featuring Malagasy cuisine — zebu steak, romazava (meat stew), and fresh tropical fruits.

2. Day 2: Nosy Komba — Lemur Island

   Nosy Be → Nosy Komba · 8 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Nosy Komba, a volcanic island covered in dense forest and home to black lemurs.

   Afternoon: Walk through the village and encounter the friendly black lemurs — they'll climb onto your shoulders. Visit the embroidery workshops and the vanilla market.

   Evening: Dinner aboard anchored off Nosy Komba, with the volcanic peak silhouetted against the sunset.

3. Day 3: Nosy Tanikely — Marine Reserve

   Nosy Komba → Nosy Tanikely · 5 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Nosy Tanikely, a marine national park with some of the best snorkelling in Madagascar.

   Afternoon: Snorkel the coral gardens — sea turtles, rays, and colourful tropical fish in crystal-clear water. Visit the lighthouse for panoramic views.

   Evening: Dinner aboard as the yacht cruises towards Nosy Iranja.

4. Day 4: Nosy Iranja — Turtle Island

   Nosy Tanikely → Nosy Iranja · 25 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Nosy Iranja, two islands connected by a stunning sandbar that appears at low tide.

   Afternoon: Walk the sandbar between the islands. Visit the turtle nesting beach — green and hawksbill turtles nest here. Snorkel the pristine reef.

   Evening: Beach dinner on Nosy Iranja's white sand, under a canopy of stars with zero light pollution.

5. Day 5: Nosy Mitsio — Volcanic Archipelago

   Nosy Iranja → Nosy Mitsio · 35 nm

   Morning: Cruise to the Mitsio Archipelago, a group of volcanic islands with dramatic basalt formations.

   Afternoon: Dive or snorkel the pristine reefs — the marine life here is extraordinary and largely unexplored. Visit the dramatic organ-pipe basalt columns.

   Evening: Anchor in a sheltered bay and enjoy the remoteness — you may be the only yacht for miles.

6. Day 6: Nosy Sakatia — Whale Sharks

   Nosy Mitsio → Nosy Sakatia · 30 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Nosy Sakatia, a small island known for whale shark encounters (seasonal, October-December).

   Afternoon: Snorkel with whale sharks if in season, or explore the island's orchid garden and sea turtle rehabilitation centre. Dive the nearby reef.

   Evening: Dinner aboard featuring fresh lobster and Malagasy rum cocktails.

7. Day 7: Return to Nosy Be

   Nosy Sakatia → Nosy Be · 5 nm

   Morning: Final morning snorkel and swim. Cruise back to Nosy Be.

   Afternoon: Visit the Lokobe Nature Reserve — Madagascar's last lowland rainforest, home to black lemurs, chameleons, and endemic birds.

   Evening: Farewell dinner at a beachfront restaurant on Nosy Be. Disembark the following morning.