Northern Madagascar is the part of the island that most suits a relaxed trip of beaches, boat days and short nature outings. It has two main bases, Nosy Be, the island resort off the northwest coast, and Diego Suarez, also called Antsiranana, at the northern tip, and each offers its own day trips. This guide explains how to link them, what to do and how many days to allow.
Nosy Be, the island base
Nosy Be is reached by a short domestic flight, and its beaches, resorts and restaurants cluster around the north and west coasts. The island is a fragrant mix of ylang-ylang plantations, sugar cane, small villages and white beaches, and the main business is tourism. Stay at a beachfront hotel such as Vanila Hotel and Spa or Nosy Be Hotel and Spa, and use it as a base for boat trips, forest walks and spa days. The island is easy to explore by taxi, and drivers and guides can be arranged through your hotel.
Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely
A boat day to the neighbouring islands is the classic Nosy Be outing. Nosy Komba is known for its black lemurs and its craft market, and Nosy Tanikely is a small marine reserve with clear water and good snorkelling, where turtles and tropical fish are often seen. Tours leave from Nosy Be in the morning and return in the afternoon, usually with lunch on the beach, and the day suits all ages.
Lokobe National Park
For a wilder walk, Lokobe National Park on the southeastern tip of Nosy Be offers a canoe trip and a forest walk with black lemurs, chameleons and geckos. It is an excellent half day that adds wildlife to a beach stay. Wear shoes with grip and carry water and repellent.
Nosy Iranja
A longer and more remote outing is Nosy Iranja, a pair of small islands joined by a sandbar that appears at low tide. The boat ride takes a few hours each way, and the day is spent swimming, snorkelling and eating lunch on the beach. The sea can be rough in windy weather, so choose a calm day and keep a spare day in your schedule.
Getting to Diego Suarez
Diego Suarez is a separate base in the far north, reached by flight from Antananarivo or by a long road journey. It is hotter and drier than Nosy Be, with a large natural bay, an old colonial town and a different set of landscapes. Many visitors combine it with Nosy Be on a loop or visit it as an add-on for a few days.
The Red Tsingy
The Red Tsingy are a canyon of eroded red and ochre pinnacles about an hour or more from Diego Suarez. A short walk leads to the rim, and a path descends into the canyon floor. The colours are best in the late morning and early afternoon, when the sun lights the formations. It makes an easy half-day trip, and it is quite different from the grey limestone Tsingy in the west.
Amber Mountain National Park
A cool, misty rainforest massif near Diego Suarez, Amber Mountain offers waterfalls, crater lakes and wildlife, including crowned sifakas, Sanford's brown lemurs and chameleons. It is a refreshing change from the hot coast, and a full day trip from Diego Suarez covers a loop of the main sights. Combine it with the Red Tsingy for a long day or visit on separate days.
How many days to allow
A simple beach-and-nature trip needs five to seven days on Nosy Be, with one day for Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely, one for Lokobe and one for Nosy Iranja, leaving time to relax. Add three to four days for Diego Suarez if you want to see the Red Tsingy and Amber Mountain. Combine the north with a few days in the capital or with the highlands if you have a longer trip.
When to go
The dry season, roughly April to October, is generally best, with calm seas, clear skies and manageable temperatures. The wet months bring heavy showers, rougher seas and boat cancellations, so keep your plans flexible. Check conditions with your hotel before you book boat trips.
Practical tips
Carry sun protection, a hat, a rash vest and a dry bag for boat days. Take cash for tips, markets and small purchases, since cards are not accepted everywhere. Drink bottled or filtered water and ask your hotel about local customs. Book boat trips and domestic flights early in the peak months, and allow slack for delays, since schedules can change.
Combining the north with the rest of the island
Northern Madagascar fits well as the final leg of a longer trip, after the lemurs of Andasibe or the southern circuit. A domestic flight from Antananarivo saves days, and a few nights on Nosy Be give a restful end to a journey of long drives. Whichever route you choose, the north rewards visitors who slow down and enjoy the sea.