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.

Courses and Events

Navigation

In this specialty program, you will gain the advanced skills and knowledge you need to safely and confidently navigate underwater. You will learn how to use a compass and natural navigation techniques, estimate distance, how to leave and return to a designated point, plus basic navigation patterns. You will also be taught how to combine navigation techniques to enhance your diving experience. All of which hones your underwater observation skills, improves your dive safety and helps you to get the most out of every dive. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Navigation Specialty certification.
On request

Science Of Diving

Join the SSI Science of Diving specialty and you will develop a complete understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialty is required training for most SSI Professional programs, as well as some Extended Range programs, and is an essential way to expand your dive knowledge. Available online, you can earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification from home and get ready to begin your dive professional career. Upon completion, you will be halfway to earning the coveted SSI Divemaster rating and earn the SSI Science of Diving specialty certification.
On request

Deep Diving

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.
On request

React Right - Course Combination (FA, CPR, AED, O2)

React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible dive program, you can choose which subjects you want to learn about, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about oxygen administration in diving emergencies and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) basics. Using a combination of academic sessions and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need for emergency response. By the time you are certified, you will be able to act as an emergency first responder, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. Earn your SSI React Right specialty certification. Get started today!
On request

Night Diving and Limited Visibility

Night diving requires different skills from diving during the day. The SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility specialty is the best way to learn about night diving and practice the techniques you will need to become a safe and confident night diver. In this program, you will be provided with all the knowledge and skills you need to safely and comfortably dive at night or in limited visibility conditions. With a combination of online learning and open water training dives, you will learn how to enter and exit the water, use specialized equipment, and how to communicate with your buddy easily at night or in limited visibility. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility specialty certification and be ready to go night diving with confidence.
On request

Diver Stress & Rescue

The SSI Diver Stress and Rescue specialty program teaches you the skills you need to protect yourself and other divers. You will learn how to identify stress, how to prevent accidents and be taught practical techniques to conduct rescues and provide emergency care. With a combination of pool and open water practice sessions, you will become well prepared and confident at handling emergency and rescue situations. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification.
On request

Try Scuba

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try diving for the first time. You will be in a confined dock and well supervised by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater, and experience the magic of scuba diving. By the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card, and will no doubt want to dive again. Endless underwater adventures are waiting for you, and this course is where it all begins. Get started today!
On request

Scuba Diver

Using online learning, confined basin and open water dives, the SSI Scuba Diver course is a perfect foundation for becoming a safe and reliable diver. You'll learn everything you need to dive in open water to a depth of 12 meters with an SSI Professional. With this program, you will complete almost half of the training for Open Water Diver certification and can easily upgrade to this level. You only need to complete the remaining academic and bounded basin sessions, plus two open water training dives.

17 March +1 More
EUR 290.00

Assistant Instructor

The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along the scuba instructor pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become an Open Water Diving Instructor.

03 April
EUR 714.51
USD 850.00

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
455 Sightings
J
27
F
0
M
0
A
11
M
14
J
0
J
25
A
65
S
64
O
92
N
86
D
71
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
408 Sightings
J
16
F
0
M
7
A
22
M
29
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: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

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: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

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: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

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: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

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: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
613 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
25
M
57
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: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
453 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
23
M
14
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: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
446 Sightings
J
16
F
0
M
0
A
11
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: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
437 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
2
A
22
M
12
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: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
434 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
0
A
22
M
13
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: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
294 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
10
M
14
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: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
279 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
11
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: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
261 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
0
A
22
M
10
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: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
257 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
3
A
0
M
12
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: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

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: 12

iStock/cinoby

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: 85

iStock-mirecca

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: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
199 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
10
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: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
162 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
10
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: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
158 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
0
A
4
M
8
J
9
J
9
A
12
S
37
O
29
N
30
D
14

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
154 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
0
A
13
M
0
J
11
J
0
A
10
S
29
O
43
N
15
D
26
iStock-Lindsey Dougherty

Silvertip Shark
142 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
11
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: 20

Shutterstock-Lewis Burnett

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: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

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: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
122 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
10
M
11
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: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

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
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: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

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: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
65 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
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: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

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: 50

istock-atese

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: 3

k

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: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

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

AMBONDRONA, 207 HELL VILLE, MDG

Andilana Beach Diving Center

Andilana, 207 NOSY BE, MDG

BLUE WAVE DIVING

AMARINA VOI HOTEL, 207 BEFOTAKA, MDG

UPSIDE DIVE

Andilana Beach, 207 NOSY BE, MDG

YLANG DIVE CENTER

Maison Ylang Nosy Bé, 207 AMBATOLOAKA, MDG

FREEDIVE NOSY BE

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

BLUE WAVE DIVING MADIROKELY

Madirokely, 207 Madirokely - Nosy Be, MDG

Dive Sites

Peter S. (#417559)

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 (★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 (★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 (★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 (★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 (★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 (★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 (★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.