Explore Nosy Be

Nosy Be, often dubbed the "Island of Perfumes," is a true gem for divers seeking an unforgettable underwater adventure. Located off the northwestern coast of Madagascar, this enchanting island offers a unique diving experience characterized by its pristine coral formations and vibrant marine life. The Tanikely Marine Reserve stands as the epicenter of Madagascar diving, boasting giant gorgonian sea fans and delightful macro life. Divers can explore a kaleidoscope of colorful nudibranchs and encounter fascinating creatures like antennariids, making every dive a discovery of the ocean's hidden treasures.

Dive enthusiasts in Nosy Be are treated to a diverse range of underwater environments, from the gentle slopes of Nosy Tanikely to the dramatic plateaus of Vatatimo, Miravava, and Banc des Pirogues. These sites are teeming with life, including schools of snappers, jacks, and the occasional barracuda. Adventurous divers can also explore two captivating wrecks, where marine life flourishes in the nooks and crannies. Whether opting for shore dives, boat excursions, or liveaboard adventures, Nosy Be provides ample opportunities to experience the incredible biodiversity that makes this region a standout dive destination.

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    • Dive Activity

    Diving in Nosy Be

    Nosy Be, Madagascar, offers a diverse range of diving experiences for enthusiasts. One of the top dive sites is "The Mitsio Wreck," where divers can explore a sunken fishing vessel teeming with marine life. This site is perfect for those fascinated by wreck diving and provides a glimpse into the ocean's captivating underwater world. Shore dives, such as the ones at Nosy Tanikely, are popular for their easy access and vibrant coral reefs, offering a more relaxed exploration. Unique experiences in Nosy Be include night dives where divers can witness the bioluminescent plankton illuminating the water with ethereal glows. Marine life behaviors, such as the seasonal migration of whale sharks, add to the allure of these waters. Nosy Be balances shore diving and liveaboard options well, allowing divers to enjoy both leisurely shore dives and adventurous excursions to more remote sites.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Nosy Be

    Nosy Be, a popular dive destination off Madagascar's northwest coast, boasts a rich tapestry of marine life. Divers frequently encounter vibrant reef fish species such as clownfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which thrive in the area's coral gardens. The warm waters are also home to larger pelagic species, making every dive a thrilling experience.

    Seasonal highlights include sightings of whale sharks from October to December, which are drawn to the plankton-rich waters. Additionally, green and hawksbill turtles are regularly seen gliding through the reefs year-round. Rays, including the majestic manta rays, are most commonly observed between September and November, especially around the deeper channels where nutrient upwellings occur.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    460 Sightings
    J
    27
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    14
    M
    16
    J
    0
    J
    25
    A
    65
    S
    64
    O
    92
    N
    86
    D
    71
    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    414 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    43
    M
    21
    J
    7
    J
    27
    A
    48
    S
    50
    O
    60
    N
    97
    D
    45

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    298 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    12
    J
    29
    A
    39
    S
    63
    O
    73
    N
    39
    D
    31

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    133 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    5
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    7
    S
    35
    O
    37
    N
    11
    D
    21

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    37 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    14
    O
    0
    N
    22
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    36 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    10
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    13
    O
    13
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    639 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    49
    M
    59
    J
    17
    J
    40
    A
    98
    S
    79
    O
    98
    N
    130
    D
    69

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    473 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    42
    M
    15
    J
    25
    J
    14
    A
    67
    S
    94
    O
    106
    N
    62
    D
    46

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    463 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    28
    M
    17
    J
    15
    J
    17
    A
    43
    S
    65
    O
    113
    N
    97
    D
    52

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    447 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    2
    A
    31
    M
    13
    J
    25
    J
    17
    A
    63
    S
    89
    O
    101
    N
    52
    D
    47
    Show More

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    438 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    25
    M
    14
    J
    25
    J
    16
    A
    77
    S
    62
    O
    107
    N
    60
    D
    46

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    298 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    13
    M
    15
    J
    13
    J
    18
    A
    30
    S
    61
    O
    69
    N
    39
    D
    39

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    293 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    13
    M
    12
    J
    17
    J
    15
    A
    51
    S
    45
    O
    82
    N
    34
    D
    23

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    264 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    24
    M
    11
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    33
    S
    33
    O
    70
    N
    51
    D
    29

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    260 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    5
    M
    13
    J
    10
    J
    7
    A
    35
    S
    28
    O
    87
    N
    39
    D
    29

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch
    229 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    1
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    29
    S
    39
    O
    81
    N
    65
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    229 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    6
    J
    16
    J
    8
    A
    25
    S
    47
    O
    57
    N
    37
    D
    26

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    226 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    14
    J
    18
    A
    21
    S
    35
    O
    56
    N
    43
    D
    33

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    204 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    15
    M
    0
    J
    15
    J
    0
    A
    33
    S
    20
    O
    55
    N
    35
    D
    30

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    165 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    13
    M
    0
    J
    12
    J
    11
    A
    20
    S
    25
    O
    40
    N
    27
    D
    16

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    161 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    20
    M
    0
    J
    11
    J
    0
    A
    10
    S
    29
    O
    43
    N
    15
    D
    26

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    160 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    6
    M
    8
    J
    9
    J
    9
    A
    12
    S
    37
    O
    29
    N
    30
    D
    14
    iStock-Lindsey Dougherty
    Silvertip Shark

    Silvertip Shark
    147 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    16
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    15
    A
    26
    S
    33
    O
    21
    N
    36
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Shutterstock-Lewis Burnett
    Guitarfish

    Guitarfish
    139 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    17
    J
    26
    A
    24
    S
    24
    O
    23
    N
    25
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    138 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    10
    J
    0
    A
    17
    S
    14
    O
    69
    N
    14
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    124 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    11
    M
    12
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    20
    S
    18
    O
    48
    N
    0
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    97 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    27
    S
    10
    O
    27
    N
    0
    D
    20
    iStock-June Jacobsen
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark
    94 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    10
    A
    20
    S
    13
    O
    22
    N
    0
    D
    29

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    72 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    10
    J
    0
    A
    13
    S
    14
    O
    14
    N
    12
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Stonefish

    Stonefish
    70 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    5
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    7
    S
    24
    O
    27
    N
    0
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    54 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    10
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    15
    O
    15
    N
    0
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 50

    istock-atese
    Frogfish

    Frogfish
    52 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    6
    A
    8
    S
    0
    O
    20
    N
    0
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish
    38 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    22
    D
    11

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    34 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    22
    O
    0
    N
    12
    D
    0

    The best Months to Dive in Nosy Be

    Nosy Be offers excellent diving conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 26°C–30°C/79°F–86°F throughout the seasons. Visibility is typically excellent, often reaching 20–30 meters/66–98 feet, making it ideal for underwater exploration.

    Diving is possible all year, although the best conditions are from April to December, when the weather is dry and stable. From January to March, the region experiences more rainfall and potential cyclones, which can affect visibility and create stronger currents. Divers should plan accordingly, considering these seasonal variations.

    Dive Centers

    SCUBA NOSY BE

    SCUBA NOSY BE

    AMBONDRONA, 207 HELL VILLE, Madagascar
    AQUA DIVING NOSY BE

    AQUA DIVING NOSY BE

    HOTEL CORAIL NOIR, 207 DZAMANDZAR, Madagascar
    Andilana Beach Diving Center

    Andilana Beach Diving Center

    Andilana, 207 NOSY BE, Madagascar
    BLUE WAVE DIVING

    BLUE WAVE DIVING

    AMARINA VOI HOTEL, 207 BEFOTAKA, Madagascar

    Nosy Be Diving & Excursions

    Andilana Beach, 207 NOSY BE, Madagascar

    YLANG DIVE CENTER

    Maison Ylang Nosy Bé, 207 AMBATOLOAKA, Madagascar

    BLUE WAVE DIVING MADIROKELY

    Madirokely, 207 Madirokely - Nosy Be, Madagascar

    FREEDIVE NOSY BE

    Hôtel Beluga, Plage de Madirokely, BP 428 NOSY BE, Madagascar

    DOUBLE DEEP DIVING CENTER

    Orangea Ampasy, 207 NOSY BE, Madagascar

    MANTA DIVING

    Ambondrona Avaratra Route de l’Ouest, 207 NOSY BE, Madagascar

    Dive Sites

    Peter S. (#417559)
    Tanikely Pain de Sucre <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Tanikely Pain de Sucre (★4.3)

    Tanikély Nord, also known as Pain de Sucre, is a magnificent dive site in the Tanikély marine reserve. A marine reserve means no fishing and lots of fish.
    SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
    Caida Wreck <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Caida Wreck (★4.4)

    Originally, it is a dhow filled with a cargo of sand that sank in 2004, having dived on it 6 months later, we realized that the wreck was already filled with fish, so we sank 2 other wrecks around it.
    SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
    Tanikely Plage des Amoureux <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Tanikely Plage des Amoureux (★4.4)

    Diving site located at 12km from Nosy be, 35 minutes by boat. It is a park, there is an entrance fee of 20 000 ariary.Very beautiful diving site, very fishy and a lot of coral diversity
    SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
    Tanikely sud <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Tanikely sud (★4.3)

    The Tanikely park is very famous, beautiful dive site, full of fish, very beautiful corals, in good health, moreover easy diving, not deep, for all levels.
    SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
    Mitsio Wreck <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Mitsio Wreck (★4.5)

    Located a 30-minute boat ride from the Lodge, the Mistio wreck rests on a bottom of at least 26 m. Reserved for the more experienced, it’s best categorized as a deep dive, and should be done with nitrox to better appreciate it.
    SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
    Rosario <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Rosario (★4.4)

    Rosario is a very good second dive site in the morning because it is not deep, site between 19m and 14m, nice field of fan coral, and good for macro.
    SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
    Louann <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

    Louann (★4.2)

    Dive site to be done as a first dive, site at about 20-25m. To be done on an ebb or flood tide. Drift, possible to go deeper, it’s a 20m to 50m drop-off. Better when it s low tide to high tide , there is more fish.
    Mares, Janez Kranjc
    Banc des gorgones <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.0)</span>

    Banc des gorgones (★4.0)

    Banc des Gorgones is located not far from Ambatoloaka. One of the first dive sites discovered where an abundance of gorgonian corals were found close to the coast.