By Sylvia Pallarès
Photographs: Ankasy Lodge, Sylvia Pallarès, Alain De Mangelaere, Salary Bay, Tsarabanjina Lodge, Princesse Bora Lodge, Nosy Saba and Nosy Be Tourism Office.
Our experience of more than ten years guiding travelers eager for knowledge, has allowed us to travel the 4,828 kilometers of coastline available on the island of Madagascar, and enables us to choose the 10 best beaches in the country.
Our TOP 10
NO. 1. NOSY TSARABANJINA Mitsio Archipelago, Northern Madagascar
The lost paradise of Madagascar. This private island-hotel, accessible only by boat or helicopter from Nosy Be, is located in the Mitsio Archipelago. One of the most paradisiacal islands of Madagascar, it has only one lodge, the exclusive Tsarabanjina Lodge, belonging to the Mauritian hotel chain Constance, with 25 perfectly equipped and recently renovated villas. Impressive “spot” for lovers of scuba diving and snorkeling. The ideal culmination to end our “Perfumes of the North” circuit.
Fancy a trip to Tsarabanjina? see + info HERE
Or would you prefer to combine a tour with a stay in Tsarabanjina? see + info HERE
NO. 2. ANKASY Southwest Coast, Madagascar
The best kept secret. Located only 3h by 4×4 from the city of Tulear, Ankasy is part of the stunning beaches of the west coast of Madagascar. The arrival is always an adventure, as in all the west coast. Kilometers of uninhabited virgin beaches open before us giving us the lost pleasures of absolute solitude. Ankasy Lodge offers only 5 spacious, well-equipped bungalows facing the crystal-clear waters of the coral reef. The exclusivity of the place obliges travelers to book their stays in this corner of paradise well in advance. Ideal as the beach end of our “Essences of the South” circuit.
Fancy a trip to Ankasy? see + info HERE
Or would you prefer to combine a circuit with a stay in Ankasy? see + info HERE
Nº 3. ANAKAO Southwest Coast, Madagascar
One of our favorites. Anakao is accessible by boat from Tulear in a motorboat navigation of about 1h. The best hotel in this area is the Anakao Ocean Lodge, where we can walk for several kilometers to the south to reach the island of Nosy Satrana or to the north, reaching the fishing village Vezo. From the hotel we observe the sacred island of Nosy Ve (not to be confused with Nosy Be) where the “Paille en queue” (spectacular bird of the region) lives and which has one of the most paradisiacal beaches in the world. The place is well worth a 4-night stay since from there we can access the Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, one of the least visited in the country and the favorite of part of the IndigoBe team. For lovers of unconventional circuits, our Great South Expedition explores the unprecedented southern cone of Madagascar, making a journey in 4×4 from Antananarivo to Fort Dauphin. A journey through time.
Do you feel like a getaway to Anakao? see + info HERE
Or would you prefer to combine an expedition with a stay in Anakao? see + info HERE
NO. 4. SALARY AND MANOHISOA Southwest Coast, Madagascar
140 kilometers north of Tulear, we find another virtually unexplored paradise. In the impressive bay and accessible in dry season by 4×4, the Salary Bay hotel is a very good option for travelers who love solitude and are eager to enjoy some of the most spectacular seabed in the west of the island. From Salary we can easily access the unexplored Mikea National Park. Our tours Madagascar Expedition y Baobab Expeditionexplore in 4×4 the wild west coast of Madagascar, in a trip that will not leave the traveler indifferent.
Fancy a getaway to Salary? see + info HERE
Nº 5. NOSY BORAHA (SAINTE MARIE ISLAND) Northeast, Madagascar
One of the main attractions of Sainte Marie Island is the sighting of humpback whales off its coasts from July to September. Although the best weather is between October and December, and the migration season coincides with the rainy season on the east coast, any time is a good time to visit this paradise. The only time to avoid is the cyclonic season, between January and February. It is also one of the most authentic islands of Madagascar, where famous corsairs from all over the world disembarked and still reside today in its famous Pirate Cemetery. The easiest way to reach the island is by plane from Antananarivo, although we can also arrive by boat from the port of Soaierana Ivongo, north of Tamatave, although this option is less advisable, since navigation always depends on the state of the sea. There are many lodging options for all budgets, among which the exclusive Princesse Bora Lodge and Soanambo Hotel stand out. Although we must keep in mind that the best beaches are located in the île aux Nattes, (the southern part that we distinguish in the photograph separated from the rest of the island) and which is accessed by traditional canoe. The visit to the island is part of our Madagascar Wildlife circuit that combines the Andasibe National Park with whale watching, although any tailor-made circuit allows you to visit the island as a beach finale.
Fancy a getaway to Sainte Marie? see + info HERE
Or would you prefer to combine a tour with a stay in Sainte Marie? see + info HERE
Nº 6. NOSY IRANJA Radames Archipelago, Northern Madagascar
One of the most photographed beaches in Madagascar. Nosy Iranja, the island of turtles, is a must for all travelers visiting the north of the country. We must keep in mind that staying in Iranja can be an inconvenience because on its shores regularly disembark dozens of travelers coming from Nosy Be to spend the day on its paradisiacal beaches. The best option is to stay in Nosy Be or Nosy Komba and make a day trip to Nosy Iranja. Impressive is the sandbank that separates the waters until mid-afternoon and that joins at certain times of the day the islands of Iranja Kely and Iranja Be. The best way to discover the Radames archipelago is to take one of our catamaran cruises that will allow us to explore other impressive islands in the region, giving us a unique spectacle that we can only see sailing its waters.
Fancy a cruise in the Radames archipelago? see + info HERE
Nº 7. ANDAVADOAKA Southwest Coast, Madagascar
Another of our favorite areas since it is very close to the “enchanted forest” as we baptized it in its day during the trip that allowed us to discover it, being the first agency to propose in our expeditions the dusty track from Morondava to Tulear. Andavadoaka has very little hotel infrastructure, and therein lies much of its charm, not to mention the authentic Vezo fishing village and the possibility of observing pink flamingos during the months of June and July. Madagascar is one of the few countries in the world that has so many unspoiled and undeveloped areas for tourism, even to the point of doubting whether on a trip along this coast we are the ones who discover the local population, or if they are the ones who discover us. The interaction between cultures is latent throughout our journey. Andavadoaka is always part of a circuit, since going there for a beach stay does not make much sense, given that it is difficult to access.
Don’t miss our expeditions to western Madagascar: Madagascar Expedition y Baobabs Expedition.
Nº 8. MASOALA NATIONAL PARK Northeast, Madagascar
If you want to get lost and nobody finds you, this is your corner of paradise. One of the least visited national parks in the country because of its difficulty (you must be in good physical shape). Several days of trekking, very basic accommodation, preserve one of the most unspoiled areas of the island. Precisely for this reason you do not find almost no one …. It is essential to visit between the months of October to December, outside the rainy season, which in this area of Madagascar discharged the other way around than in the rest of the island. It is useless to attempt a trip to this part of the country during the months of June, July and August (maximum rainfall, impracticable navigation, closed access, invisible fauna…). During our trekking we will find beaches like the one in the picture. The luxury in this case is the exclusivity of being in the lungs of Madagascar.
If you are this kind of traveler, Expedition Libertalia is your trip.
NO. 9. NOSY SABA Northwest Coast, Madagascar
A private island located in the Radames Archipelago, south of Nosy Be. Access to the island is either a 3/4 hour motorboat ride or a light aircraft flight. One island, one hotel, Nosy Saba Island Lodge, 27 cozy villas and a single purpose DISCONNECTION.
Fancy a getaway to Nosy Saba? see + info HERE
Or do you prefer a cruise + Nosy Saba? see + info HERE
Nº 10. NOSY BE ARCHIPELAGO Northern Madagascar
The archipelago of Nosy Be is made up of the islands of Nosy Be (big island, the island of perfumes), Nosy Komba (the island of lemurs), Nosy Sakatia (the island of orchids), Nosy Tanikely (island of small lands) and Nosy Fanihy (sacred island where the mortal remains of one of the Sakalava kings are found). Nosy Be, the most important island of the archipelago, can be reached by plane from Antananarivo or by boat from the Ankify pier where all the circuits of the North of Madagascar end. It is the most touristic area of the country, hence the choice of our hotel should be as well thought out as possible if we do not want to meet hundreds of tourists.
The northern part of the island is the quietest, far from the hustle and bustle and nightlife of Ambatoloka and Madirokely, towns known for being “assaulted” by hundreds of tourists eager for nocturnal distractions. Nosy Be itself does not have paradisiacal beaches, for that we must go to Nosy Komba or Nosy Tanikely.
After countless trips to the north, we would choose the following hotels, either for their location, quality/price ratio, or for the services offered:
The best lodging options in Nosy Be:
****Vanila Hotel & Spa / View hotel HERE
****Ravintsara Wellnes Hotel / View hotel HERE
Other options: Royal Beach, Andilana Beach Resort, Arc en Ciel.
The best lodging option in Nosy Komba:
****Tsara Komba Lodge / See Hotel HERE
Other options in Nosy Komba: Jardin Vanille, Coco Komba, Maki Lodge
Sources: IndigoBe Magazine © All rights reserved.
