Nosy Be, “the island’s island”

Madagascar is a kaleidoscope of colours that blend gently together: from the deep blue of the endless ocean and the dark green of the tropical forests, to the coral red of the sublime sunsets. Situated to the north west of Madagascar, Nosy Be is a fascinating island rocked by the calm, warm sea of the Channel of Mozambique. Accessible by sea and plane from the small Fascene Airport, it is nestled in the large protected bay of Ampasindava. Nosy Be, which in Malagasy means “big island”, is also known as the “perfumed island” and is a coveted destination of nature lovers, who can explore the many small islands that surround it, with their beaches formed from shells and coral pulverised by the action of the sea, jagged coastlines and small bays. Between the Archipelagos of Mitsio in the north, and Radama in the south, passing by Nosy Komba and Nosy Sakatia, the islands reveal some wonderful surprises. Sea lovers and sailing enthusiasts find their ideal habitat here among the unspoilt islands that shield Nosy Be like the gems of the valuable jewellery piece. Each has its own particular features and all, between sea and sky, sparkle like veritable treasures of nature. Nosy Be is the ideal place for discovering the sea depths and enjoying the beauty of its untouched resources. Love Bubble Social Diving, an independent diving centre, offers some of the best dives around the island. Boat trips, instead, are dedicated to dolphin, whale or whale shark watching, or centred on learning about the environment or local traditions. The service is of the highest quality and is equipped for diving with Nitrox. Thanks to a fast, twin-engined boat, more remote diving places within a radius of almost 100 kilometres can be reached, including the Four Brothers rocks and Mitsio and beyond to the island of Nosy Iranja. But the riches of the island are not limited to the exotic charm of the deep sea; it has a multitude of native plants that grow in the primitive forests and cultivated areas. These varied landscapes of lush vegetation range from plantations of ylang-ylang and sugar cane to rice paddies, volcanic lakes inhabited by crocodiles, small waterfalls and volcanic hills. The colours of the gentle slopes and small rises merge with the green tones of the entire island flora and, at the end of the day, the air is diffused with the perfume of ylangylang and accompanied by the rustle of Ravinala leaves. With a wealth of biodiversity among the exotic native flora and fauna, the