Things to see and do Nosy Be

A one-day excursion with a walk of about 2 to 3 hours, guided by a professional who will enlighten us on the surrounding fauna and flora, as well as on the habits and customs. The program includes fruit and spice picking, a visit to the ylang-ylang still (the estate has no less than 1,100 of them!), an exhibition on the history and traditions of the Sakalava people, and a full meal with a Creole and Malagasy accent. The park, on 30 ha, is located in a magnificent environment. You can also buy pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, mustard, or other sesame!

Everyone has heard of Nazaire, the most famous boatman of Nosy Be installed on the beach of Ambatoloaka from where his sea excursions leave! Now at the head of a dozen boats, he manages several teams that take vacationers to discover one or two islets of the archipelago. The outing combines the pleasures of sailing with those of snorkeling, visiting a village, a reserve or a lighthouse, a moment of idleness on a beach with lunch. Nazaire is a trustworthy Malagasy who is the pride of the village.

To get there, you should leave the coastal road to the right from Hell City, on the road to Ambatoloaka (beautiful teak forest). We cross the village of Antsaholana, which is guarded by a jealous eye of immense kapokiers, and then that of Arapale where in season you enjoy excellent mangoes. From the summit (329 m), the view is splendid: several crater lakes (including that of Amparibe and that of Anjabe) extend into the green. These lakes are sacred. They are inhabited by the minds of sakalavas princes. If you do, remember that on their banks it is fady (forbidden) to fish, smoke, eat pork, and wear trousers! Sunsets are great, don't hesitate to stay on the spot for a good half hour to enjoy beautiful and moving colored arabesques.

Infrastructure has been set up recently: health, stalls and guidance table with long views. Rails and stairs were rehabilitated.

This private park is located in the middle of the most famous ylang-ylang plantation of Nosy Be. Lemuria Land is a sanctuary of Malagasy fauna (11 species of lemurs, reptiles, chameleons, crocodiles, turtles, lizards...), tropical flora (ylang-ylang, vetiver trees, pepper trees, vanilla trees, bamboo...) and all kinds of fruit trees (cocoa trees, litchis, soursop, jackfruit, papaya trees...) The place also houses an exhibition on insects and butterflies of Madagascar. The entrance fee includes a visit to the SPPM distillery.

This large, sale village offers some cheap gargotes where take a drink, and a very lively local discotheque that we like more than the tourist bars of Ambatoloaka: Bananas, very animated on Friday and Saturday evenings. The sugar cane production centre is now closed. This distillery, bought in Brazil, completely dismantled and rebuilt here in 1923, invited the traveller to enter an atmosphere beginning in the century, black and warm, sweet, all wood. For your purchases of rum, it is now elsewhere that you have to see!

In the surrounding area we recommend a nice walk to the Cascade waterfall. It is best to be accompanied by a child from the village, who will be happy to show you the way with a small welcome. To get there, you must take the road from the distillery, go beyond drainage basins and then take the small bridge; we are still on the same road to the operation of Ylang-ylang and Hassanaly sugar cane; after crossing the hangars, you divide into the south towards the waterfall. 40 min walk from the bridge. Beware, it is a sacred place, so it is a respectful attitude.

It's the highest point on Nosy Be, with a peak of 329 m, and the view is splendid: the sunsets are grandiose, so don't hesitate to stay and enjoy the view, even if you're not alone! From the top, you can see several crater lakes stretching through the greenery; they are said to be inhabited by the spirits of the Sakalava princes. Don't forget that on their shores it's fady to fish, smoke or wear pants! Two circuits: one 4 km to Antsahamanavaka, the other 6 km to sacred Lake Amparihibe.

A short visit allows you to meet the black lemurs, the island's emblems. They'll be on hand to sample the bananas provided by the guide. This is certainly not a responsible approach, and we have mixed feelings on the question: should we go or not? Feeling the weight of a lemur on your shoulder is a magical experience... but at what price? And yet, this park has prevented the extinction of makis, which are now seen as a resource. 580 lemurs were counted in 2018, and now there are more. It's up to you to make up your own mind...

Perhaps the best way is to be accompanied by a local, who will be happy to show you the way for a small fee. To get there, take the distillery road past the outflow basins, then cross the bridge. Staying on the same path, you'll reach the Hassanaly ylang-ylang and sugarcane farm; after passing the sheds, turn south towards the waterfall. The walk from the bridge takes 40 min. Please note that this is a sacred site, so a respectful attitude is required.

The Mahabo de Manongarivo is a place of pilgrimage, and the bodies of Queen Binao (^19th century) and her brother lie in this mausoleum. A little further on, the Mahabo d'Ambalarafia houses the tomb of Queen Tsiomeko. To visit these sites, where ceremonies are regularly held, you need to contact the Fokonolona. You must respect the rituals: offer a symbolic sum (we recommend 5,000 Ar per person) and a small bottle of rum, then respect the fady.

Founded by the Missionary Fathers in 1889, SPPM (Société des Produits à Parfum de Madagascar), the island's (and the world's) leading distillery and the world's largest producer of ylang-ylang essential oil, processes several tons of flowers a day. It is produced by steam distillation for cosmetics and perfumes, but also for a lesser-quality oil, called cananga oil, extracted from the tail of the distillate. Around 100 kg of flowers are needed to produce 2.5 kg of essential oil. The best ylang-ylang oil comes from flowers picked early in the morning in the early days of summer. The olfactory power of ylang-ylang oil is its claim to fame, and is the source of the world's best-selling perfume - Chanel's famous N°5. Ylang-ylang's therapeutic virtues are also of interest, helping to slow the heart rate and combat tachycardia and hypertension. Like rose, jasmine and sandalwood essential oils, ylang-ylang is also said to have anti-depressant, aphrodisiac and sedative properties. On site, in the distillery, you can watch the essences being extracted and buy small bottles of ylang-ylang as well as various souvenirs, a pure pleasure for the senses and a scent you'll associate with this trip for a long time to come. Preferably on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings, when the workers are harvesting and distilling.

There are three self-guided walking trails with explanatory panels highlighting the park's endemic fauna and flora: the Kindro circuit (2.1 km - 3 h) with palm trees, macaco lemurs, reptiles (including the Antalafihiaka lizard) and snakes; the Mitsinjo circuit (1 km - approx. 2 h) with a panoramic view of Nosy Be and the discovery of fruit trees, liana plants and vanilla; and the Ramy circuit (2.2 km - 3 h) to appreciate the flora and fauna with the beaches and sea in the background.

The Lovako Museum is the latest addition to the Nosy Be region. Created at the initiative of a Frenchman passionate about Malagasy culture, it opened its doors in 2022. In this former summer camp house is located this nice little museum that promotes the culture of Nosy Komba. The pleasant red and white wooden building houses many objects presenting the history of the island's settlement, from the departure of Indonesia to the present day. A short section also questions the place of culture in the contemporary world and in the future! Refreshing!

At the Enceinte Hotel. Miora and his team take care of all kinds of excursions, on foot, in atvs, quad, car, canoe, boat, etc. Confirmation of tickets, customer assistance, transfers on the sea and on earth. This very serious provider tries to offer the best possible services at the lowest price.

High quality operator offering all kinds of excursions to Nosy Be, to the most famous tourist sites, but also according to your wishes. A dynamic, pro and efficient team. ESF also has antennas in Tana and Nosy Be, and it is possible to organise its travel throughout Madagascar.

Their offices are located in Hell City, in front of the Oasis. There are brochures and maps on the island.

A specialist of chameleon and reptiles, but also of fauna and flora in general, it can organize expeditions in the Ankarana, the Amber Mountain and other natural sites in the region. Very competent, friendly, he will take care of you, explain the reasons why, and you find animals there or others see nothing.

Nestor is THE guide to discover Nosy Komba. A native of the island, he has been a certified guide since 2007. Nestor knows the trails of Nosy Komba and the whole area inside out. As the grandson of an herbalist, he knows all about plants. There are several possible tours: a 2-hour walk in the heights of Nosy Komba, a 4 or 5-hour crossing of the island... He'll guide you, for example, to the island's great baobab tree (8.24 m in circumference) or to the "3 brothers" island. You can also have lunch at his place, where you'll taste home cooking. Recommended!

A must for travellers, the museum is also a must for residents and Aboriginals who can be proud of this infrastructure that brings together various treasures from the past: paintings, swords, documents and various works of art... In particular, there is a family tree that tells the story of the Sakalava royalty

This superb sandy beach unfolds its postcard landscape close to the sea turtles. It is the ideal escapade before going to observe them and swim with them. Nosy Be Original agency offers to travelers this private beach on Nosy Sakatia tastefully furnished. Kitchen area, bar area, a large table under a vast straw hut: the beach lined with palm trees and planted in front of a forest looks like a dream place! In addition Nosy Be Original organizes weekly parties and even full moon parties ! The dream, we tell you...

Various information on members, brochures and maps of the island. Feel free to consult the website, very complete, to get a general idea of the offer in the beautiful region of Nosy Be.