Very few hotels in Nosy be have their own team to organise and guide their guests as they discover the archipelago’s riches.
At Corail Noir, our 100% Madagascan team, fully aware of the local environment, will accompany you on your discovery of Nosy Be for a half or full day. The logistical control of our own excursions means we can guarantee optimum conditions of safety and comfort.
All you have to do is choose!
Located on the west coast of Nosy Be, opposite to the hotel, Nosy Sakatia is a small island of 6 km by 2 km long, with a well-preserved ecosystem. Take the time to explore it by foot, accompanied by a naturalist guide, to discover the endemic fauna and flora, the fishing villages, and the fields of vanilla, coffee and orchids, which make it famous – it is nicknamed “the island of orchids”. It is an authentic island, with friendly inhabitants and a relaxing pace of life. It can be reached by boat from Nosy Be (the crossing takes 20 minutes). It is best to reach it at dawn, so as not to miss anything of this little natural paradise.
When you think of the most beautiful island of Madagascar, Nosy Iranja definitely has all it takes. It is made up of two small islands, Nosy Iranja Be and Nosy Iranja Kelly, linked together by a narrow strip of white sand. At high tide, the beach disappears and the sea separates both islets. In the middle of this unreal natural beauty, a fishing village still preserves its fascinating traditions and ancestral customs.
The last original forest of Nosy Be, the primary forest of Lokobe conceals the most characteristic landscapes of Madagascar. This natural reserve, 740 hectares wide, is home to most of Madagascar’s endemic vegetation, but not only. It also hosts abundant fauna of lemurs (eulemur macaco), chameleons, insects, birds and reptiles, including the famous boa. You will discover this unique biosphere reserve on board magnificent traditional canoes.
A voyage full of colors, scents and flavors, to meet Nossibeenne culture and the region’s inhabitants. This trip will take you to discover several kinds of local markets: a craft market, the Market of Thousand Flavors of Hell-Ville – with its “meat”, “fish” and “spices” corners – but also the port of Hell-Ville, the capital city of the archipelago. There, you will discover the port’s old cannons back from the colonial era, many shops and even the island’s chocolate factory. Later in the morning, you will go to meet the sacred tree of Mahatsinjo, a high place of spirituality for the Sakalava people.
Discover the natural wonders of the island: you’ll pass four volcanic lakes inhabited by crocodiles. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, you’ll head off in the direction of Mount Passot, an ancient extinct volcano and the island’s highest peak, for a breathtaking view of the Mozambique Channel. If the weather conditions are right, you can observe the ‘green ray’ phenomenon – as the sun crosses the horizon, a green light can be seen by the naked eye. Enjoy an aperitif with the last light of the day, and then head back down to the hotel once night has fallen.
Part 1 – Nosy Tanikely
For the first part of the itinerary, you’ll be sailing to the island of Nosy Tanikely (the little land). There is no better way to discover the magnificent marine protected area of Tanikely than with a snorkeling session – accompanied by an experienced guide. This natural real-life aquarium is one of the best snorkeling spots to observe a multitude of corals and multicolored fish such as sunfish, clownfish, swordfish, rays and even sea turtles.
Partie 2 – Nosy Komba
Heading to “the island of lemurs’, also known as Nosy Komba. It is no wonder, this island’s protective forest concentrates many lemurs, including the beautiful eulemur macaco. Right after landing on Ampagorina’s beach, you will see from afar the craft shops of the village with their embroidered tablecloths fluttering in the wind. The fishing village of Ampagorina overflows with handicrafts, such as raffia basketry, sculptures and superb tablecloths, embroidered on-site by the island’s talented embroiderers with the Richelieu stitch technique. Finally, a typical Malagasy meal will be waiting for you at the restaurant.
Start your Robinson Crusoe getaway and embark on a boat to the small uninhabited island of Nosy Fanihi. Located up north of Nosy Be, far from everything, this small paradise island hemmed with a white sand beach, lulled by translucent waters, seems like the edge of the world. A promise to spend unforgettably peaceful snorkeling sessions.
The area around Nosy Be is a cetacean sanctuary! This vast playground is made up of multiple biotopes for these different marine mammals. Humpback dolphins (Sousa Plumbea) swim along the mangroves, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiop Aduncus) play on the plateaus, myriads of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and spotted dolphins (Stenella Attenuata) cruise the outer slopes of the channel and common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiop Truncatus) cruise the open sea. But that’s not all! During the winter season (mid-June to mid-September), humpback whales (Megaptera Novaeangliae) return from Antarctica to breed and give birth. Omura’s whales (Balaenoptera omurai), an endemic species resident on Nosy Be, can also join in the fun. Join us on these emotionally-charged outings for a chance to observe these cetaceans while respecting the Approach Charter, and enjoy the spectacle they have to offer.
Join our specialist guides for a captivating snorkelling experience at Nosy Sakatia. Located to the west of Nosy Be, towards Andilana, Nosy Sakatia offers a fabulous snorkelling spot. Its shallow waters (2 to 3 metres) are ideal for encounters with green turtles (chelonia mydas), which come to feed at high tide. Around the deeper patates, you may be lucky enough to spot groupers, jacks and kingfish on the hunt. A large shoal of dolphinfish has also taken up residence in the area.
Followers of “catch and release”, all our outings are accompanied by local professional guides for safe practice in our many sport fishing areas.
Dogtooth tuna, trevallies, groupers, sailfish… whether you are alone or with friends, we will make you experience great moments of emotion.
Quote on request.
