Nosy Be (also Nossi-bé or Nosey Be) is an island located off the northwest coast of Madagascar–and is the center for most diving action in the African island nation. Nosy Be itself is Madagascar’s largest and busiest tourist destination–in Malagasy; Nosy Be simply translates to “big island.” Nosy Be is located about eight kilometers (5 miles) from the coast of Madagascar in the intriguing Mozambique Channel; several smaller islands are located nearby, including Nosy Komba, Nosy Mitsio, Nosy Sakatia, and Nosy Tanikely–where being nosy underwater seems to be a requirement to dive.
Of the most exciting features on the island, the eleven volcanic crater lakes are all breathtaking and unique. The Tsaratanana massif partially protects the island from the strong north-east winds affecting the region in August or during tropical depressions, which makes currents attractively low for divers. Visibility around Nosy Be varies enormously according to the tides and the weather, but is usually excellent, around 20-30 meters; perfect for being nosy, that is.
Also of particular interest to divers are the soft and hard corals off Nosy Be which are in good condition, especially on the very edge of the Mozambique Channel. Extensive reefs surround the popular tourist island of Nosy Be including Five Meter Bank, Grand Banque d’Entrée andBanque de Tortue (Turtle Bank) and at their edges are exciting walls and drop-offs for divers to explore.
But if you head to Nosy Be, you don’t have to dive deep to enjoy the abundant marine life–at some dive sites, you’ll practically step on it! For novices, there are easy dives in the channel between Nosy Be and neighboring Nosy Sakatia – some starting at just one meter deep. Most beginner dives are boat dives but nearly all are just a short distance from the shore, making Nosy Be convenient to do multiple dives in one day. For experienced divers there are some thrilling drift dives, wall dives and even a wreck off the island’s western side. Some of the best sites, such as the Mitsio Islands andGreg’s Wall in the south, are best visited by liveaboard yacht due to their locations much farther out from Nosy Be.
If you’re heading to Nosy Be, make sure that you maximize your experience by choosing your travel time carefully; October to December is the best time for diving, with April and May being a close second. But if it’s a humpback or sperm whale you’re longing to see, July and August may be your best bet. It’s best to avoid the rainy season which is generally from the end of December through March.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the dive sites around Nosy Be, Madagascar:
Nosy Kisimany
You can begin your exploration just off the southeast tip of Nosy Be, where the excitement begins at Nosy Kisimany. Here, all levels of divers get to dive free of crowds in this lesser-known dive site that ranges from 9-15 m (27-50 feet). Currents are virtually nonexistent. The Kisimany reef is one of the most beautiful and serene reefs to dive in Madagascar. With low currents, clear blue waters and a excellent display of marine biology, it’s also a great ambiance dive spot. Spectacular bottom topography and healthy coral growth exists at Nosy Kisimany providing hideouts for various marine life including turtles, rays, and plenty of tropical fish.
Nosy Tanikely
A ten or twenty minute journey by boat then takes divers to the ambiance and reef diving of Nosy Tanikely. The marine park of Nosy Tanikely, an island off the north coast of Madagascar, and is one of the most popular dive sites because it offers the best flora and fauna in Madagascar. However its popularity is also a down side, divers can expect groups of masked and finned tourists to join them on the shallow reefs. Divers enter the ocean from the primary beach, located on the eastern side of the island. Despite crowds, the shallow waters are, however, clear and brim with an amazing kaleidoscope of colorful corals, starfish, anemones and small fish. Turtles are easily spotted and divers may even catch a glimpse of an elusive sea horse. At the deepest depths of the dive, divers might catch guitarfish resting on the sea bed. At the barrier reef, there are also schools of two-spot snapper; other species of snapper are present in abundance in addition to scorpion fish and sweetlips.
Charlie’s Point
Still relatively unknown, divers will probably dive with few or no others around at Charlie’s Point, which lies between Nosy Be and Nosy Sakatia. The warm waters of the Mozambique Current ensure great marine diversity, and the sheltered location makes currents nearly nonexistent. This site is great for novice divers, night dives and dive training. In addition to colorful coral you are likely to see giant cucumbers, turtles, sponge crabs and, at night, exquisite Spanish dancers. Sea horses, lionfish, stingrays and hawksbill turtles also frequent the waters of nearby Olaf’s Reef.
Seven Little Sharks
Another interesting Nosy Be site gives away the secret of its waters in its name: Seven Little Sharks. Here, advanced open water divers will enjoy the 30+ meter visibility just on the edge of the drop off as they rub their goggles and marvel at the hammerheads, grey nurse, and white-tip sharks that are ushered in by the incoming tide. And if that weren’t enough to gawk at, the rich coral life’s worth a double-take as well. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Atlantis Point
Claims by divers cite the Atlantis Point dive site as ‘even better than Greg’s Wall’ in the south. Near Banque de Crabe is a flat reef, just off Andilana, which drops off on all sides. This pristine and rarely dived reef has amazing coral and a huge variety of fish. Leopard shark, turtles, mantas and eagle rays are regularly sited here.
Manta Point
If manta rays interest you, Manta Point is certainly a site to put on your list particularly, in September, when manta rays can be observed in numbers feeding on plankton. Other attractions at Manta Point include colorful sea fans, big groupers, huge schools of hump-head parrot fish, unicorn fish and seasonal sharks. Look closely, this site reveals macro creatures like tiny gobies and shrimps that lurk in crevices and small garden eels along the sandy sea bottom. This is one dive you won’t want to miss.
Clearly, if you’re trying to sniff out sharks, encounter mantas, or surround your senses in a remote location, these sites are definitely worth ‘nosing around’ if you’re headed to the African island nation of Madagascar.