Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NOSY MAMOKO
This little island is at the southwest end of Ampasindava Bay. Known
amongtheyachtingfraternityforitsexceptionalshelterinallweather,itisalovely,tranquil
spot for a few days' relaxation. There is good fishing here and whale-watching from Octo-
bertoDecember.Goodanchorageisfoundinthechannelbetweentheislandandthemain-
land, in 15m over a sandy bottom.
OTHER NEARBY UNINHABITED ISLANDS
The apple-core-shaped
Nosy Tanga,
measuring 400m across, lies opposite Nosy Be Hotel on the west coast. Less than 1km off-
shoreitiseasilyreachedbycanoe.InthebaytotheeastofNosySakatiaisthesacredrocky
island of
NosyRatsy
('Bad Island'), just 100m across. At the northwest of Nosy Be, 700m
offshore, is
Nosy Andilana
with striking white beaches of dead coral. Opposite Amarina
Hotel the picturesque coral island of
Nosy Fanihy
('Bat Island') is great for snorkelling
but harder to reach without a motor boat, being 3.5km offshore. In Mahazandry Bay lies
the crescent-shaped
Amberiotrandraka
('Tenrec Island'). It's a tidal island (ie: connected
to the shore at low tide) and, being onthe east side ofNosyBe, is rarely visited bytourists.
Just south of Nosy Vorona is
Amberiotelo,
a chain of three islets (which is what the name
means) connected by an S-shaped sandbar. It's a nice vantage point from which to watch
the sun set behind Nosy Komba.
MITSIO ISLANDS (NORTHEAST OF NOSY BE)
The Mitsio archipelago lies some 50km from Nosy Be, so is beyond the range of a day
trip, but a number of yacht/catamaran charters offer multi-day excursions here from Nosy
Be. This is the Maldives of Madagascar, with world-class diving, perfect beaches and an
exclusive fly-in resort.
GRANDE MITSIO
The largest island is populated by local Malagasy - Antakarana and
Sakalava - who survive on their denuded island through farming, cattle and goats. Over-
grazing has devastated the island but some forest remains in the southern part. Huge basalt
columns are a prominent feature on the northwest tip, used as an adventure playground by
enterprising goats. There is a basic campsite on the southwest coast.
The island attracts yachties to its coral reefs and good anchorages. Maribe Bay provides
good anchorage, protected between two hills. Manta rays can often be seen in this area.
NOSY TSARABANJINA
The name means 'good-looking' and this is indeed a small but
incredibly beautiful island. The red, grey and black volcanic rocks, rising quite high at
its centre, have a mass of lush, green vegetation clinging to them, including baobabs and
