Nosy Be Travel Guide | Add a beach break to your Madagascar road trip
Planning a road trip through Madagascar? Don’t skip the beach! Nosy Be is a great place to wind down after your adventure. And the good news: it’s easy to organise yourself.
In this Nosy Be Travel Guide, we’ll walk you through how to get there, where to stay, and what to do. You’ll see how simple it is to add a few days of tropical relaxation to your itinerary in Madagascar. No need for a package tour, just a few extra days by the beach to complete your trip.
Holidays at Nosy Be
Nosy Be might be just what you need after a dusty road trip through wild Madagascar. It’s Madagascar’s best-known beach destination, with clear waters, colourful markets, good food and easy access to nearby islands. It’s also where things get a bit easier than on the mainland: paved roads, lots of places to stay, and yes, people even speak English!
That said, Nosy Be can feel a bit busy and developed, and some parts of the nightlife scene aren’t for everyone. Are you after a quieter, more authentic vibe? Then we recommend hopping over to one of the nearby islands like Nosy Komba or Nosy Sakatia. You’ll find peaceful beaches here, with friendly villages, and some of Madagascar’s most charming small-scale hotels.
How do I get to Nosy Be?
By plane
Adding Nosy Be to your Madagascar road trip is easier than you might think - and it combines really well with both our RN7 round trip and RN7 one-way itinerary.
For the RN7 round trip, simply finish the RN7 loop back in Antananarivo, then catch a flight to Nosy Be for a relaxing beach ending to your journey.
Doing the RN7 one-way? We recommend travelling in reverse: start with a flight from Antananarivo to Tulear, enjoy a few beach days on the southwest coast, then drive the RN7 north back to Antananarivo. From there, fly to Nosy Be to unwind a little more before heading home. It’s an easy, well-paced route, with beach time at both ends.
And did you know that you can fly directly from Nose Be to Europe? South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines offer direct flights from Nosy Be. There are also direct charter flights to Italy and Poland.
By boat
Looking for a more adventurous option? Combine Nosy Be with a Northern Madagascar road trip. Drive from Antananarivo to Ankify (or the other way around) and take the ferry to Nosy Be. We can arrange for your 4x4 rental to start or end in Ankify (for an extra fee).
Ferries run several times a day to and from Nosy Be, and leave once full. You don’t need to book in advance - just show up, buy your ticket at the counter (ignore the pushy middlemen), and hop on!
Want to go faster or more privately? Get in touch with your lodge on Nosy Be; they can help you arrange a private boat.
When is the best time to visit Nosy Be?
Nosy Be is nice to visit throughout the year, but it's good to consider the following:
- January to March: The period between January and March typically shows the highest rainfall and lots of humidity.
- April, November, and December: During these months, the weather is generally good, although there is a slightly higher chance of rain and thunderstorms.
- May to October: The dry season, spanning from May to October, offers perfect weather conditions. Expect pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall, making it the busiest and most popular time to visit Nosy Be.
What to do in Nosy Be?
For a relaxed and scenic stay, we recommend basing yourself near Andilana Beach. This is often called the most beautiful beach on Nosy Be. From here, you’ve got easy access to some great day trips and experiences:
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Sunset at Mont Passot
Mont Passot (or Bongo Pisa in Malagasy) is a 329-metre-high extinct volcano with incredible 360° views. From the top, you can see the Mozambique Channel, crater lakes, and even nearby islands like Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely. Head up in the late afternoon for an unforgettable sunset. -
Spot whales, dolphins and turtles
Nosy Be is a great place to see humpback whales (mid-August to late October). Turtles and dolphins are often spotted year-round. If you decide to go on a tour, please do make sure to book with a responsible tour operator that follows environmental guidelines.
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Take a trip to Nosy Iranja
Nosy Be is surrounded by a handful of beautiful islands, but Nosy Iranja really stands out. Located about 40 km southwest of the main island, Nosy Iranja actually consists of two islands joined by a stunning 1.2 km white sandbank, which you can walk across at low tide. It’s the kind of place that looks almost unreal.
Most trips to Nosy Iranja leave early in the morning by motorboat from Ambatoloaka Bay. The trip includes snorkelling, a BBQ lunch, and often turtle sightings. Yes, it’s touristy and one of Nosy Be’s most visited spots, but we still believe it’s worth the visit and an essential part of the Nosy Be experience.
Want to make it even better? Then stay overnight! There are a few small hotels on the island. As the day-trippers leave, you’ll have the beach nearly to yourself - just in time for sunset. Definitely a highlight, and something we’d recommend putting high on your list of things to do in Nosy Be.
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Snorkel at Nosy Tanikely Marine Park
Just a 30-minute boat ride away, Nosy Tanikely offers some of the best snorkelling and diving near Nosy Be. While coral closer to the main island shows damage, the marine park at Nosy Tanikely is still filled with incredible life.
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Swim with giant turtles at Nosy Sakatia
This was one of our personal highlights! Nosy Sakatia is only 10 minutes away by boat, and home to calm, crystal-clear bays where massive green turtles feed on the seagrass. Swimming alongside these gentle creatures is magical and something you won’t forget.
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Lemurs at Nosy Komba or Loboke Reserve
Want to see lemurs while you’re in Nosy Be? You’ve got two great options nearby, each offering a very different experience. Nosy Komba is just a 20-minute boat ride from Ambatoloaka Bay and is known for its black lemur population. The island is lush and peaceful, with no cars and only footpaths. But be aware: the lemurs here are habituated to humans and often come close, hoping to be fed bananas. It's fun for a quick visit, but don’t expect a wild encounter.
If you’re after something more natural, we recommend heading to Lokobe National Reserve, on the southeastern tip of Nosy Be. Getting there is half the adventure: from the fishing village of Ambatozavavy, you’ll hop into a traditional pirogue and paddle through mangrove forests. A beautiful, quiet journey that takes about 45 minutes. Lokobe is one of the last remaining primary forests on the island and home to wild black lemurs, chameleons, and lots of other native species. The reserve offers different walking circuits, from short 1.5-hour walks to longer 5-hour treks. A guide is required (and worth it — they’re great at spotting hidden creatures).
Don’t forget to bring insect repellent. The forest is filled with mosquitoes, and they love our ‘vazaha’ skin!
These are the best hotels in Nosy Be
There are plenty of great accommodation options in Nosy Be, ranging from budget to more luxurious. These are our favourite picks on the island:
In Nosy Be
Budget stay
Simple, friendly and great value for money:
Mid-range options
Comfort and local charm in great locations:
In Nosy Komba
Just a short boat ride from Nosy Be, you’ll find Nosy Komba (lemur in Malagasy). The perfect destination if you’re still chasing that perfect lemur photo, or simply want to escape the crowds. There are no cars on Nosy Komba, just walking paths, forest, and quiet beaches. It’s peaceful, authentic, and great for slowing down.
Mid-range lodges
Small-scale, right by the beach, and with a personal feel:
In Nosy Sakatia
Nosy Sakatia is the smallest and quietest of the nearby islands. And for many, it’s the hardest to leave. With no roads, very few visitors, and nature all around, it’s the perfect hideaway. Swim with turtles, snorkel off the beach, and enjoy the slow rhythm of island life.
Our favourite stay
A relaxed lodge with great food, warm hospitality, and snorkelling right off the shore:
Ready for the beach?
Whether you’re after lemurs, turtles, or just a quiet beach getaway, Nosy Be and its surrounding islands offer a perfect break after your Madagascar roadtrip.
With direct flights, flexible ferry connections, and more than enough great places to stay, Nosy Be fits naturally into both our RN7 and Northern Madagascar routes. Add a few days to your itinerary, book a local lodge, and enjoy the slow pace of island life.
Got questions? We're here to help you fit Nosy Be into your roadtrip. The way that you prefer it.