2026/2027

Excursions & marine safaris

Discover the exceptional

Immerse yourself in Madagascar’s unspoiled beauty, where refined luxury meets extraordinary nature. Explore vibrant coral reefs, pristine beaches and lush tropical forests inhabited by iconic lemurs. Encounter dolphins and majestic humpback whales in the turquoise waters of Nosy Be, while embracing a journey that honours and preserves this remarkable environment.

The art of travelling your way

From secret shores to ancient forests, let the wild beauty of the Nosy Be archipelago carry you away.

Every excursion can be shaped around your wishes, your pace and the size of your group, for a tailor-made experience as unique as your stay.

Our guides speak French, English and Italian.

In partnership with Safari Baleine, Nosy Komba Plongée & Antafondro Fishing

Excursions 2026/2027 (PDF)

The lodge seen from the water at high tide, the sea reaching the terrace steps, palms over the thatched roof Pirogues pulled up on the sand under leaning palms, the wooded hill across the bay behind them

Our excursions

Privileged escapes between land and sea

  • Houses of Antafondro standing on the sand under thatch, a cooking fire going, the beach running past them

    1 Antafondro, the soul of a Malagasy village

    Discover the soul of Antafondro, its traditions and its heritage. Visit its school, built by the association I Aid Madagascar, its traditional homes, its sacred baobab and the traces of its history.

    A walk to Doani beach and its sandy point rounds off this immersion in island life.

  • Ambariouface from the air: a wooded islet with a white sandbank curving out from it into turquoise shallows, two small boats pulled up on the sand

    2 Nosy Ambariouface, between lagoon and sandbank

    Ambariouface islet, visible from the lodge

    An unspoilt islet, crystal-clear water and a pristine sandbank. Explore the underwater world with a local guide, then savour the peace of this little paradise.

    Includes: boat transfer, guide, entrance fees, fruit and water.

  • A pale green chameleon on a stem, its tail curled into a tight spiral

    3 Lokobé Nature Reserve

    At the edge of the ancient forest

    About 5 hours

    Leave the lodge at 9 am by boat or traditional pirogue for an immersion in the heart of the Lokobé reserve.

    With a guide and a tracker, spend an hour and a half discovering the riches of this primary forest, a refuge for exceptional biodiversity.

    The outing continues to the fishing village of Ambalaouka for a traditional lunch by the sea, before the return to the lodge.

    Includes: boat transport, guide, tracker, entrance fees and lunch. Not included: drinks and tips.

    Into the heart of authentic Madagascar

    About 6 to 7 hours

    Set out on an in-depth discovery of Lokobé, between tropical forest and unspoilt villages.

    From Ambalonko to Ampasipoye, share moments of village life and enjoy a traditional lunch, before returning to the lodge by sea.

    Includes: pirogue transport, guide, entrance fees, lunch and a soft drink.

    The mysteries of the forest at night

    About 2 to 3 hours · Late-afternoon departure

    As night falls, discover Lokobé’s primary forest in a whole new light.

    With a guide, go in search of its nocturnal wildlife: lemurs, chameleons and other fascinating species.

    A rare and spellbinding immersion in unspoilt nature.

    With: a local guide. Bring: closed shoes, light long-sleeved clothing, mosquito repellent and a head torch.

    Booking: in advance, subject to night access to the reserve and to the weather. The exact length depends on the route.

  • The dark lighthouse on Nosy Tanikely against a pale sky, trees on either side

    4 Nosy Tanikely, an underwater sanctuary

    An uninhabited island, nicknamed “the natural aquarium”

    With its abundant coral and exceptional biodiversity, the Nosy Tanikely marine reserve is home to a great many underwater species.

    To protect the richness and balance of its biodiversity, the reserve admits only a limited number of visitors each day. Booking in advance is essential.

    Includes: boat, entrance fees, guide, snorkelling equipment, fruit, water and a soft drink.

    Safari Baleine
  • A black lemur sitting on the prow of a beached pirogue, palms and village houses behind it

    5 Nosy Komba, the art of island living

    Let yourself be charmed by the unique atmosphere of Nosy Komba. Visit its museum, meet its lemurs and wander through lanes alive with craft workshops.

    Embroidery, carvings and traditional creations show the full richness of the local heritage.

  • A red cacao pod growing straight from the trunk of a cacao tree on Nosy Komba

    6 Nosy Komba, the island’s secret trails

    About 4 hours of walking · 600 m of ascent

    Climb to the highest point of Nosy Komba, at Sakis, a hidden spot with a spectacular view over the archipelago. After the ascent through lush tropical vegetation, carry on down to the AKIBA association, where you will discover its cocoa and coffee plantations, the secrets of how they are processed by hand, and a shop selling local produce: chocolate and coffee.

    For keen walkers; closed shoes recommended. Lunch on booking.

Other discoveries

The archipelago, your way

  • A carved wooden panel in close-up, figures, animals and boats cut into the grain inside a border of triangles

    Ampasipoy village

    A 45-minute walk from the lodge, to discover village traditions and daily life.

  • A man paddling an outrigger canoe on glassy water at sunset, a second canoe and the hills beyond

    Kayaks and a paddle board

    Transparent kayaks and a paddle board sit at the lodge, and the water in front is usually flat enough to take one out without arranging anything. A local canoe as well.

  • A snorkeller seen from behind, floating in clear turquoise water

    Snorkelling

    In the Nosy Tanikely marine park, and among the turtles of Nosy Sakatia, with Safari Baleine, who provide the masks, fins and snorkels.

    Safari Baleine

  • Hell-Ville & Lemuria Land

    Between the bustle of the local market and the delicate scent of ylang-ylang, discover another side of Nosy Be.

  • Diving

    The dive centre on Nosy Komba takes beginners for a first dive as well as divers who already have their certificate.

    Nosy Komba Plongée

  • Private excursions

    Tailor-made itineraries to explore the archipelago at your own pace.

Marine safaris

Rare encounters, unforgettable moments

  • A whale's tail lifting out of a dark blue sea, mountains on the horizon behind

    Humpback whales and whale sharks

    Humpback whales: August to October
    Whale sharks: mid-September to mid-December

    With the seasons, the ocean reveals its most majestic visitors: an invitation to admire marine life in all its splendour.

    Safari Baleine
  • The sandbar at Nosy Iranja at low tide, brilliant white sand running away between turquoise water on both sides

    Nosy Iranja

    7 A night between sky and sea

    2 days and 1 night

    The 4th most beautiful beach in the world in The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026.

    Two islets joined by a ribbon of white sand almost 2 km long, about 60 km from Nosy Komba.

    Treat yourself to a night in this paradise setting of turquoise lagoon, pristine beaches and endless horizons.

    Includes: meals, drinks and snorkelling equipment.

    8 A day in paradise

    Escape to one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago, where white sand meets turquoise water in a landscape of rare beauty.

    Includes: meals, snacks, water and snorkelling equipment.

    Safari Baleine
  • A turtle swimming over a pale sandy seabed in clear green water

    9 Nosy Sakatia, kingdom of the turtles

    Swim in the clear waters of Nosy Sakatia and watch sea turtles move freely in their natural habitat.

    Lunch with your feet in the sand rounds off this special interlude.

    Includes: meals, snacks, water and snorkelling equipment.

    Safari Baleine
  • Three men on the deck of a fishing boat far out at sea, one giving a double thumbs up, the two in front holding a large marlin across their laps

    10 Sport fishing, the call of the open sea

    With Antafondro Fishing · Half day or full day

    Théo and his team, our neighbours in Antafondro, take you fishing in the archipelago’s rich waters: a half-day introduction around Nosy Be, or a full day, from 7 am to 5 pm, out to the Banc du Castor or the Mitsio islands.

    For keen anglers, a bivouac of one or more nights on the Mitsio islands or Nosy Iranja, close to the fishing grounds.

    Includes: meals and water. Up to 4 people per boat.

    Antafondro Fishing

The art of travelling differently

Tailor-made experiences, shaped around your wishes, with due respect for the weather and sea conditions.

Madabay Lodge, the Nosy Be archipelago in all its splendour.

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