Mahavelona Plateau

★★★★☆ (49)

Located about 20 minutes by boat from the lodge, this is an easy-to-navigate site with currents and outstanding visibility. The plateau offers the possibility of diving for a minimum of 50 minutes.

It’s a site with a rich coral formation and a highly diversified fauna of shoals of fish, not forgetting mantis shrimps, stingrays,...

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

Nudibranch Ecology

Nudibranch Ecology

Welcome to the Nudibranch Ecology course, where you will explore the world of nudibranchs in seven detailed lessons. Start with their classification and habitats, then learn about their locomotor, sensory and respiratory systems. Discover their complex reproductive strategies, their relationships with other marine organisms, their feeding habits and their important role in ecosystems. Explore their defense mechanisms and interactions with humans and learn more about their importance for research and conservation. This course will deepen your understanding of these extraordinary creatures and is ideal for marine biology fans, students and the curious. Join us and discover the secrets of nudibranchs.

November 14, 2026 +1 More
$2,181.93
CHF 1,775.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

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
5 Sightings
J
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0
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1
M
1
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0
A
1
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0
O
2
N
0
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0

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
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
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1
M
1
J
0
J
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A
1
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0
O
2
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0

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
4 Sightings
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0
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1
M
1
J
0
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A
1
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0
O
1
N
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0

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
4 Sightings
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0
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0
A
1
M
1
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J
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A
1
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O
1
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0

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
4 Sightings
J
0
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0
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A
1
M
1
J
0
J
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A
1
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0
O
1
N
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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
4 Sightings
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0
M
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A
1
M
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A
1
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O
2
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0

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
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
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0
O
1
N
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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
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
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0

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
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
0
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0

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
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
2
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
3 Sightings
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0
F
0
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0
A
1
M
1
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0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
1
N
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0

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
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
1
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.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
1
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.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
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0
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0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

AQUA DIVING NOSY BE

AQUA DIVING NOSY BE

HOTEL CORAIL NOIR, 207 DZAMANDZAR, Madagascar
BLUE WAVE DIVING

BLUE WAVE DIVING

AMARINA VOI HOTEL, 207 BEFOTAKA, Madagascar
SAKATIA LODGE

SAKATIA LODGE

Nosy Sakatia, 207 HELL VILLE - NOSY BE, Madagascar

Dive Sites Nearby

YLANG DIVE CENTER, 207 AMBATOLOAKA
South Canyon Madagascar (★4.6)

South Canyon Madagascar (★4.6)

Close to the Mozambique channel, South Canyon reef is shaped like a hand. Strong current is expected on this dive site. Maximum depth : 26 meters.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Atnam (★4.4)

Atnam (★4.4)

This dive site with a fantastic landscape, it is not a site for fishes. One of the most beautiful site of Nosy be in the point of view: landscape, one of my favorites.
Hichame e. (#3997689)
Rolland (★3.2)

Rolland (★3.2)

A drop-off with a superb deep plateau, the most interesting part is at 35 m. The plateau, between 30 and 45 m, is covered with giant gorgonian sea fans, a beautiful landscape for divers used to deep diving.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Tanikely Plage des Amoureux (★4.4)

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 (★4.4)

Tanikely sud (★4.4)

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.
Peter S. (#417559)
Tanikely Pain de Sucre (★4.4)

Tanikely Pain de Sucre (★4.4)

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.
Mares
Banco Rosario (★4.1)

Banco Rosario (★4.1)

Banco Rosario, dived and discovered for the first time by an Italian named Rosario, has left its name as a legacy. Not far from here, the Cousteau crew moored their boat many years ago.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Facci (★4.3)

Facci (★4.3)

Facci is a site located 14 km from the diving center. Depth between 22 and 25 meters. It is preferable to do this site as a first dive. Superb plateau covered with giant gorgonians.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Caida Wreck (★4.4)

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.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Banc des gorgones (★4.1)

Banc des gorgones (★4.1)

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.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Madrépore Manta Point (★3.6)

Madrépore Manta Point (★3.6)

Site located at 13km, 40 minutes by boat. The bottom is 21 meters, and the second part is 15 meters, separated by a field of garden eels. To be done on an ebb tide. The reef top is very nice , the coral are nice.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Rosa 22 (★4.4)

Rosa 22 (★4.4)

Rosa 22 is 12 km from the closest dive center. It is is a very beautiful dive site, slightly too deep for a second dive. At the end of the dive, the reef rises to 16 m, making it possible to extend the dive time. It has several reefs between 17 and 23 m, covered with small and big gorgonian fans.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Mitsio Wreck (★4.5)

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.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Abyss (★4.0)

Abyss (★4.0)

Falling to a depth of 25 meters for Abyss. Falling with a depth of more than 3 meters for Abyss Alyosha. Possible only on ebb tide.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Rosario (★4.4)

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
le dôme (★4.3)

le dôme (★4.3)

Dive site located at 45 m from the center, very nice Dome, with a side filled with superb gorgonian and the other side very fishy. The site is quite deep, nothing less than 23 meters, it is necessary to walk at 25 m almost all the dive.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Louann (★4.2)

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
Sea Fan’s Drop (★4.6)

Sea Fan’s Drop (★4.6)

About a 30-minute boat ride from the Lodge, the site is deeper, with a drop-off that can go down to 25 meters or more, where garden eels populate the bottom...
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Shark Point Madagascar (★4.5)

Shark Point Madagascar (★4.5)

Site located at 21 km from Nosy be, minutes by boat. Beautiful drop off suitable for the observation of predators, drop off with often a good visibility.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Grand Banc Extérieur (★4.5)

Grand Banc Extérieur (★4.5)

Site close to shark point, 20m-40m drop off, to be done only in rising tide. Site located at 50mn from the center, 21km, beautiful drop off, rich in fish.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Banc 06 (★4.4)

Banc 06 (★4.4)

The site Banc 06 is for all levels, site located at 5 KM behind Nosy Sakatia. My point of view on the site: site in general very good vis-a-vis the quantity of fishy 9 times on 10, but from time to time, without apparent reason, few fish.
SCUBA NOSY BE, 207 HELL VILLE
Banc des Fusiliers (★4.3)

Banc des Fusiliers (★4.3)

The “banc des fusiliers“, a site located behind Nosy Sakatia, about 10 km away, not very deep, between 19 and 14 m. Very good for a second dive. nice for macro.
Scubapro
Sakatia reef (★4.0)

Sakatia reef (★4.0)

Located 10 minutes by boat from the Lodge, Sakatia reef offers the possibility of diving to a depth of at least 15 meters... The pleasure of discovering the seabed and macro...
Aqualung
Enzo (★4.8)

Enzo (★4.8)

Located just 10 minutes from the center, this site, with a minimum depth of 18m, is ideal for macro enthusiasts. A site to be anticipated with current as well.
Mares
Mahavelona (★4.5)

Mahavelona (★4.5)

Located 15 minutes from Sakatia Lodge by boat, the Mahavelona wreck is a site for advanced and expert levels. Site to be anticipated with current and changing visibility.