Diving in Nosy Be is a dream for marine enthusiasts. The waters are teeming with vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, and larger marine creatures like manta rays and whale sharks. Excursions to Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba are highlights. Nosy Tanikely is a marine reserve, known as a "natural aquarium" where you can snorkel with green sea turtles and admire colorful coral reefs. Nosy Komba, also called the "Island of Lemurs," offers encounters with these charming creatures in their natural habitat, along with opportunities for hiking and exploring local villages. Nosy Sakatia, the "Island of Orchids," is another gem. This small, unspoiled island is perfect for snorkeling, diving, and relaxing on pristine beaches. We have timed this trip to enjoy many of the flora and fauna of Madagascar, including Humpback whales, Orchids, and great birding opportunities.
Project Focus: The purpose of this trip is to conduct fish surveys to support REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Click here to learn more about participating in fish surveys on a REEF Field Survey Trip!
Best Suited For: Divers and Snorkelers
Accommodations: 10-night accommodation at Hôtel Maison Ylang, an authentic boutique hotel located at the gates of the lively village of Ambatoloaka in Nosy Be, Madagascar. Situated on the beach, Maison Ylang offers a tranquil escape with a full west orientation. The hotel features 11 exclusive rooms that blend tropical charm with modern comfort, featuring air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, a swimming pool, and TVs. Rooming options include Standard rooms, Standard Pool rooms, and Deluxe rooms. You can find more details here.
Diving: Ylang Dive Center, part of Maison Ylang, offers exclusive diving excursions on premium and less crowded sites. Safety and comfort are their priorities, making it an excellent choice for underwater enthusiasts. The package includes 7 days of 2-tank morning dives, an afternoon snorkeling with green sea turtles, and 4 complimentary night dives (Weather permitting). Free nitrox for certified divers. Water temperature is expected to be in the low 80s; a 3mm is recommended based on cold tolerance.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Other Fees
| Double Occupancy, Diver |
Single Occupancy, Diver |
|
| Standard Room | $2,840 | $3,540 |
| Standard Pool Room | $3,060 | $4,050 |
| Deluxe Room* | $3,390 | $4,480 |
*Deluxe Rooms are the only rooming option with the ability to have two beds
Your Package Includes: The trip package includes 10 nights of accommodations, 7 days of 2-tank morning dives, 4 night dives, Breakfast daily, Lunches on tour days, round-trip transfers on Nosy Be, and tours outlined in the itinerary below. Also included are a half-day Lokobe National Park Tour and a full-day tour of Nosy Komba.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $400 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and REEF survey materials.
Additional Fees - Not Included: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. All flights, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, optional rental equipment, and additional boat dives. Gratuities for the crew are not included in the cost of the charter and are at each individual's discretion. There is a hotel tax of approx. 2 euros per night that can only be paid directly in cash. This may change for 2027.
Registration
To reserve your space, email trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. A $1,000 per person deposit will be due to confirm your reservation. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
Madagascar Travel Info
Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN.
How to Get There: Participants should make arrangements to fly into Fascene Airport (NOS) on Saturday, August 21, and depart on Tuesday, August 31. There are several options to get to Nosy Be. There are daily flights out of Antananarivo (Tana), Madagascar's capital (TNR) serviced through Frankfurt, Paris, and Kenya. In addition, there are daily flights direct to Nosy Be from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Transfers: Group transfers are included in the package. The rate is based on 4 people per transfer. There may be an additional fee if your transfers do not line up with others. Roughly $30-$88, depending on how many others are being picked up.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival at Nosy Be, Madagascar
Arrival and transfers from Nosy Be Airport, Fascene Airport (NOS).
Day 2 - Scuba Diving: 2-Tank AM Boat Dive and Nosy Tanikely Visit
Breakfast in the morning (included) and a 2-tank morning dive with a visit to Nosy Tanikely during the surface interval. Lunch is also included. Evening fish class and group meeting.
Day 3 - Scuba Diving: 2-Tank AM Boat Dive and Night Dive
Breakfast in the morning (included) and a 2-tank morning dive. Afternoon is free with fish class in the evening, followed by a night dive (weather permiting).
Day 4 - Scuba Diving: 2-Tank AM Boat Dive
Breakfast in the morning (included) and a 2-tank morning dive. Afternoon is free with fish class in the evening.
Day 5 - Scuba Diving: 2-Tank AM Boat Dive and Nosy Sakatia Visit with Afternoon Snorkel
Breakfast in the morning (included) and a 2-tank morning dive. Lunch is included on Nosy Sakatia with an afternoon snorkel on a seagrass bed looking for Green Sea Turtles. We will be back by 4 pm with the fish class in the evening.
Days 6 and 7 - Scuba Diving: 2-Tank AM Boat Dive and Night Dive
Breakfast in the morning (included) and a 2-tank morning dive. Afternoon is free with fish class in the evening, followed by a night dive (weather permiting).
Day 8 - Visit Lokobe National Park - Lemurs and Rainforest
Breakfast in the morning and visit to Nosy Komba - trekking, Lemur Park, Village, and lunch at Jardin Vanille. Fish class in the evening. (Please note that the trekking would be considered moderate to someone who doesn't usually go hiking)
Day 9 - Scuba Diving: 2-Tank AM Boat Dive
Breakfast in the morning (included) and a 2-tank morning dive. Afternoon is free with fish class in the evening, followed by a night dive (weather permiting).
Day 10 - Visit to Nosy Komba - trekking, Lemur Park, Village, and lunch at Jardin Vanille
Breakfast in the morning and a day at Nosy Komba with options for a hike up to the main viewpoint or a gentle walk, and meet in the village.
Day 11 - Departure from Nosy Be
Breakfast in the morning and departure to Nosy Be Airport are provided based on flight times.
Optional Tours
Our partner Deep Blue Adventure offers several additional tours and extensions if you are interested in visiting other parts of Madagascar. Please reach out to trips@REEF.org with questions.
Passports, Documentation and Visas: Visitors to Madagascar are required to have a passport that has at least 2 blank passport pages and is valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival, and proof of return flights. Please consult the appropriate consulate for specific travel regulations.
COVID-19 Considerations: It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with all local requirements (for entry and visit as a tourist) of the host destination, and for exit and entry requirements for their home country. Be prepared for your plans to change. Be sure your travel insurance covers COVID-related issues. No travel is risk-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. Please be aware that REEF is not a travel agent. We are doing our best to interpret the information provided by our trip vendor and the host country’s government COVID-19 webpages. We encourage everyone to do their own research, interpretation, and due diligence. Please see REEF’s COVID-19 Considerations and Vaccine Policies section in our REEF Field Survey Trips Policies page for more information.