DIVES

Combining our personal experience of the Worlds’ Oceans, we can happily say that the sea life found in Nosy Be is a complete “summary” of the marine life.

Words are not enough to list the attributes of all dive areas, the marine life visible, the majesty and colours of the coral reef, the wondrous colours and the variety of species to see. The only way is to see them in person and draw your own conclusions.

From the mysterious Dragon fish to the black albino corral reef, to all the new varieties which have not yet been named. Their fearlessness of man is incredible they are willing to approach you being so unused to human presence. It is difficult to find a turtle fleeing at our approach, never having been bothered by man and we are determined our presence will not bother them.

The piece de résistance of this ocean is the presence of the largest mammal known to man the Whale Shark. It can be seen regularly in increasing numbers from November to January, having found a peaceful environment in this archipelago in which to eat and live. These enormous and peaceful mammals move to the surface in order to filter plankton from the water. Some can reach a length of 15 to 18 mt but are also gentle enough to keep us company.

TOP 10

Below we have listed some examples of the dives available in this corner of Nature. We have chosen them for their beauty and accessibility, even the most frequented are amazing for their untouched beauty.

Marine Park of Tanikely

There are three dive points on this Island of volcanic origin . The Marine park offers the best in marine flora and fauna in Madagascar. From just a few meters depth to a max of –20 mt you can see microscopic multicoloured schools of anenomies, flat worms, lobsters, clown fish, porcelain crabs, prawns, stingrays, banjo sharks, moray eels, barracudas, scorpion fish, crocodile fish, batfish, large sized gropers and hawksbill turtles are just some of the fish found on this barrier. Some of the inhabitants have yet to be catalogued while some have only recently been so such as the Dragon fish.

Gorgonian Bench

At a maximum depth of -21 mt you can see giant gorgonian whose beauty can be appreciated above all on night dives. A small example of what awaits you are lobsters, captain fish, banjo sharks, multicoloured nudibranch, flat worms, crabs and above all giant Spanish dancers.

Atnam

A plateau of exceptional beauty with a wall from -32 to -48 mt. Spires of coral and enormous gorgonian, hawk fish, transparent soft coral of incredible size. Only for expert divers.

Manta Point

Diving to a depth of –22 meters brings us to a sand plateau where conformations of brain corral grow. All the fish of the coral reef assemble at this point among which are cleaner fish working for the queen of the sea the manta ray. In specific conditions it is not impossible to find manta rays with a span of six meters, while from the sandy bottom the sand eel sticks its small head out.

Nosy Iranja

The incredible views of the island are reflected in those below the surface. At a maximum depth of –45 mt it is possible to find a family of giant trunkfish, on the sides huge conformations of gorgonian and corals move while bottom fish swim by. Rising to a depth of –22 mt on the plateau, white and grey finned sharks can be seen, along with leopard sharks, a large number of microscopic fish and a large selection of reef fish, between the coral and sandy spaces.

Wrecks

On the sandy bottom at a depth of –26 mt lie the wrecks of three old fishing boats, which today is the home of hundreds of different species of fish. From the first you come up against platax, barracudas and schools of carancidi. Bit by bit as you go deeper it is possible to identify the boat and the enormous quantity of fish in their home. Among which are scorpion fish, lionfish, boxfish, rockfish, sweet lips, captains, trumpet fish and bottom fish.

Chameau e Fucilieri

Two shallows, the first formed of two plateaus one of which is smaller, the second is in the shape of a coffee bean as it is divided in two strips of sand. At a depth of between –11 to –26 mt you can see a selection of fish from the reef among them are unicorn fish, trumpet fish, and blue triggerfish. It is not impossible to see napoleon fish, leopard eels and small sharks as well as red anenomies which are rare in Madagascar.

Sakatia Caves

At a maximum depth of –26 mt, on a sandy bottom are three upright coral conformations where sweet lips tropical carangidi are found. Moving to the plateau a short distance away at a depth of-15 mt it is possible to see a variety of species of the reef, including leopard fish, balloon fish, porcupine fish and moray eels.

Big External Bench

This is the last continental platform opposite Nosy Be prior to the depth of the Mozambique canal. At a depth of –18 mt there is a plateau rich in marine life of all the multicoloured species of coral soft and hard. Towards the canal it is possible to find areas with bottom fish, and where it is also possible to see hammer head sharks.