Nosy Be is an island just off the northwest coast of Madagascar, and is surrounded by other, smaller islands that can be explored on day trips or longer charters. It’s worth pointing out that Nosy Be is not a resort-style destination in the mould of, for example, Mauritius.
“We think Nosy Be is a fantastic attraction in the general archipelago, and the beaches and the islands that you find when exploring off Nosy Be itself,” says Rosie Palframan, owner of tour operator, Barefoot Breaks. “A lot of the surrounding islands have lodges with a rustic feel. And they’re small, from six rooms to around, at the biggest that we sell, 25 rooms. It’s a lot more personal than the typical resort experience.”
Authentic and unspoilt
Palframan says a lot of modern tourism makes use of a fairly homogenous type of product, which has become commercialised to the point that, in some cases, a lot of the original reason why people went to a destination in the first place has been diluted or disappeared.
“At just about any beach on Nosy Be, guests can snorkel straight off the beach,” says Palframan. “That’s quite unique.” Palframan says that, in essence, this is the point of travelling to Nosy Be. Travellers will be going to places that have not yet been commercialised, and while they do have tourist facilities, to a large extent remain unspoilt. “The coral reefs are still in excellent condition compared with somewhere like Mauritius. But more than the sea life, there is also the tropical, lush vegetation on land. Zanzibar for example is a lot more arid, but Nosy Be has rainforests, with unique wildlife like lemurs.”
Finding the right fit
“Nosy Be is most certainly a family destination, but I feel it is wasted on the very young,” says Harriet Joao, owner of MadagasCaT. “A sense of adventure and a sense of humour are essential when travelling to Madagascar, but not all the lodges are really equipped for the very young. Any age from about six upwards will enjoy the holiday.”
Joao points out that Nosy Be has a 10-month season, starting in March and ending in December. “That said, the very best time to visit is between the beginning of May and the end of November. It becomes very hot and humid with heavy night-time rainfall at other times of the year,” she says.
