Diego & North Madagascar

A unique travel experience planned by a destination expert

Antsiranana, known as Diego Suarez until 1975 and still called Diego by many, is the capital of Madagascar’s north. It has one of the world’s most beautiful deep-water harbors, complete with the photogenic Sugarloaf Mountain, and it is probably the most French (and increasingly Italian) city in Madagascar. Diego has a huge market, a range of pretty-good restaurants, and some fantastic attractions and national parks to visit nearby. It is the kite-surf capital of Madagascar.

In the far north of Madagascar, the Antsiranana region is a tourism portal, notably thanks to the proximity of the island of Nosy Be. With luxury hotels and other types of prestigious accommodation, Nosy Be is the hotspot for seaside tourism in the country. Apart from Nosy Be, many other interesting tourist attractions can be found in the area. Other paradise islands, nature reserves, and a wide variety of entertainment can also enhance a visit to the region. The cities of Diego and Nosy Be are both accessible by plane, but some people prefer to choose the roads in order to discover the landscapes and the lives of the local people of the region. Note, however, that the trip is particularly long as Antsiranana is located nearly 1,000 km from Antananarivo. The northern region of Madagascar is particularly rich in terms of biodiversity, and the majority of the ecosystems of the region’s nature reserves are endemic.

Besides the wild nature, Antsiranana is also located near many geological karst formations called the “Tsingy”.
A visit to Nosy Be is almost an obligation if you travel in the region.
Exploration of the small islands that surround the big island is highly recommended to appreciate all the beauty of this green fringed archipelago in the pristine blue of the Mozambique Channel. The beaches are not the only attractions of these islands, and many other wildlife wonders await you there. This is also arguably one of the best spots for a bit of honeymoon luxury.
A trip to the far north can also be intended for relaxation and the good life in the luxurious seaside resorts of the region. With the possibility of staying in prestigious establishments away from civilization, you can enjoy a stay in a heavenly setting in complete peace.

Tsingy de Bemaraha - as recommended by this Madagascar travel agent

Red_Tsingy_(explore)_-_Flickr_-_Rod_Waddington - banner

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Diego Suarez

The city of Antsiranana or Diego-Suarez is the largest city in northern Madagascar. If the city is splendid with its colonial-style buildings, it stands out above all for its warm and peaceful atmosphere. Rich in history and cultural events, a stay in Antsiranana is synonymous with discovery. Exploring the white sand beaches of its many bays is a must in the region.

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Almost impossibly beautiful, the Emerald Sea is one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. With its extraordinary panorama, and the trade winds of the "Varatraza", the Emerald Sea is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Its rich underwater world is also worth a little diving tour. Getting to the Emerald Sea is by traditional sailing boat so you may get a little wet from the spray… but, upon arrival on the island of Suarez, you can swim in the calm turquoise ocean before a grilled fish lunch.
The French Mountain is a nature reserve which dominates the eastern part of Diego-Suarez. Climbing to the heights of the mountain gives you a panoramic view of Cape Amber and the Emerald Sea. A visit to the reserve also allows you to discover majestic baobabs.
Abutting the small town of Joffreville, about a one-hour drive from the town of Antsiranana, the Amber Mountain National Park is made up of an endemic ecosystem housed in a reserve perched on a volcanic massif at an altitude of 1,475 meters. Part of the park is reserved for scientific missions, but the rest is accessible to the public and includes a series of great routes from low to medium difficulty. You will see a variety of lemurs and birds as with most parks in Madagascar, but the highlight is the various chameleons, including some of the smallest in the world, just centimetres long. This is a highly recommended visit.
Ramena is a secluded fishing village 20 km from the town of Diego. This small seaside resort stands out for its magnificent beach and simple food in local restaurants lining the beach is a lovely way to spend a day. It is the departure point for a boat trip to the Emerald Sea.
The succession of three bays of Diego-Suarez is a breathtaking spectacle. With their white sand beaches and crystal-clear water, Sakalava Bay, Dunes Bay and Pigeons Bay are great places for swimming and wandering.

Red Tsingy

Ankarana National Park

Nosy Be

Nosy Be is arguably the flagship of tourism in Madagascar. The island is a showcase of Malagasy beach and ocean based tourism, but also offers discoveries such as ylang-ylang plantations, rum distilleries and a world-famous music festival each May. Nosy Be is also a privileged place for luxury tourism, and it is possible to stay in prestigious establishments isolated from the rest of the world on the small islands that surround the Perfume Island. Nosy Be is visited in season by whales, and, it is one of the few places on earth honoured by the visits of the largest fish on earth, the whale sharks.

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Nosy Komba - or lemur island - is a small volcanic island located 20 km from Nosy Be. Accessible only by boat from Hell-Ville, the island is home to a community of 4,000 inhabitants who live to the rhythm of the waves and the wind. Housing a few luxury hotels, the latter offer transportation by speedboat. Nosy Komba has no cars and no roads, just little trails that connect the local community.
Also called turtle island, Nosy Iranja is made up of two small islands connected by a strip of white sand. While the larger of the two islands is home to a charming little fishing village, the smaller is privately owned and dominated by luxury hotels.
Known for its orchid, spice and fruit plantations, Nosy Sakatia is considered the "little sister" of the island of Nosy Be. Easily accessible from the big island, Sakatia offers an astonishing contrast between its white sand beaches, its rice fields and its ecosystem sheltering some lemurs.
Nosy Tanikely is more than an island, it is a protected area and a marine park with remarkable marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Surrounded by a coral reef, snorkelling in the clear waters of the island is an unforgettable experience. If you are lucky, you will witness the spectacle of the tropicbirds, which nest in the cliff faces.
Located to the south-east of the island of Nosy Be, the Lokobe nature reserve is the last primary forest on the island. As its name suggests, Lokobe (many colours) is rich in colour as much for its fauna as its flora, with sumptuous trees such as rosewood and teak, and several families of lemurs who reign supreme in this ecosystem.