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

Scuba Diver

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.

July 31, 2026
$338.94
€290.00
Try Scuba

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
Open Water Diver

Open Water Diver

10% off list price This globally recognized course is the best way to start your adventure as a certified diver. Customized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure that you have the skills and experience to be truly comfortable underwater. You will then earn your SSI Open Water Diver certification.

July 31, 2026
$473.35
€405.00

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

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

Hawksbill Turtle
422 Sightings
J
16
F
0
M
0
A
43
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 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
637 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
49
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 approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
472 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
42
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 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
446 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
2
A
31
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 approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
437 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
0
A
25
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 approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
297 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
13
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 approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
292 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
13
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 approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
263 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
0
A
24
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 approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
259 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
0
A
5
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 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
123 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
11
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 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.