Whale Sharks, Lemurs, and Pristine Coral on Nosy Be Island, Madagascar
Explore the Biodiversity and Scenic Beauty of Nosy Be Island
Madagascar is a country full of unimaginable biodiversity, fascinating history, and breathtaking landscapes. In fact, the island nation of Madagascar is so diverse that naturalists lovingly refer to it as ‘the eighth continent.’ On the northwestern side of Madagascar lies the small island of Nosy Be, which ironically means ‘Big Island’ in the local Malagasy language. The island itself is a beautiful mix of seven volcanic lakes, fragrant ylang ylang groves, and gentle hillsides covered in vanilla and frangipani.
Nosy Be’s Natural Reserves and Madagascar’s Unique Fauna
Even though Nosy Be is Madagascar’s main beach destination, the island is still quiet and, in many parts, very rustic. Several nature reserves on Nosy Be and the surrounding islands offer you the opportunity to see lemurs, chameleons, and other key Madagascar fauna and flora, not to mention the incredible life below the surface.
Whale Shark Season in Nosy Be
A Unique Marine Encounter In the quiet waters between Nosy Be and Madagascar’s mainland (called Grand Terre by the locals), whale sharks come to feed during the months of September to November. These gentle giants have been observed by local dive operators and fishermen for several years, but it is only recently that a research project has been initiated to understand the behaviour of the Madagascar whale sharks.
Supporting the Madagascar Whale Shark Project
We recommend this destination because of the incredible biodiversity of life above and below water and to support the invaluable research being done by the Madagascar Whale Shark Project. We advocate diving with a well-established local operator who has the highest standards of responsible marine encounters. This ensures truly sustainable animal interactions. Stella and the Mada Whale Shark Project also accept volunteers to work with them on their brand new boat, photographing whale sharks for identification purposes. Talk about a holiday with purpose!
Meet Madagascar’s Gentle Giants
Whale Sharks WHALE SHARKS are the largest cartilaginous fish in the sea. They are gentle filter-feeders, feeding on tiny plankton while migrating around the great oceans. Sadly, they are listed as endangered globally. As they feed by opening their large mouths and sucking in plankton while swimming along, freediving is the best way to meet them! With their iconic white-spotted backs, they are called Marokintana in the local Malagasy language—meaning "many stars," alluding to the galaxy of spots on their broad backs.
Swim with Green Turtles Near Nosy Sakatia
GREEN TURTLES are some of the wisest-looking creatures in the sea. They are one of the largest of all sea turtles and, in fact, the only herbivore in their family. Off the island of Nosy Sakatia, you can spend hours drifting in a shallow bay, observing the turtles eating seagrass, interacting, and relaxing.
Discover Lemurs and Other Unique Madagascar Wildlife
On land, you may have the opportunity to see various species of lemurs, colourful geckos, the fantastic panther chameleon, and other unique animals. Nosy Be and its surrounding reserves offer an exceptional experience of Madagascar’s biodiversity.