Nosy Be

Crater Bay, Nosy Be After departing Crater Bay, it’s common to sail counter-clockwise around Nosy Be with the first leg of the itinerary sailing towards Nosy Amariovato. From there, sailing along the east side of Nosy Be en route to Nosy Mitsio. After a few days in the norther islands, sailing south with an overnight anchorage in Nosy Sakatia located on Nosy Be’s western coast is recommended. South from there is Russia Bay (or Ambavatoby Bay) and Nosy Iranja, two popular locations during the itinerary. 

Nosy Mitsio - Sailing north from Nosy Be, you’ll find a small archipelago that’s roughly 45 nautical miles north of Nosy Be and made up of about one dozen islands. La Grande Mitsio is the largest island, with a few small farming villages dotting the landscape. There are no stores or even a supply shop ashore. A five kilometer long white sand beach lines the main cove. Upon arrival, you will find a very different and traditional way of living. Nosy Mitsio is completely isolated and the few villages on the island trade only minimally outside of their communities, unlike Nosy Be which is home to resorts accommodating mostly French and Italian tourists. Nosy Mitsio has remained more untouched by modern ways of life. The island is lush with palm trees along the beach where the settlements are built.

Tsarabanjina - After spending a few days exploring the various islands in the northern archipelago, most sailors turn their itinerary south towards Nosy Be. Along the way is the small island of Tsarabanjina. Surrounded by coral reefs and covered in layers of thick greenery, this small island is located between Nosy Be and Nosy Mitsio, perfectly suited for an afternoon stopover to swim off your boat. Only one suitable anchorage exists here, which is located off the Southern point of the island. Good snorkeling can be found on either side of the beach. The resort itself is private and offers an exclusive ambiance to only a few lucky patrons at a time and sailors are able to experience a taste of it. 

Nosy Iranja - South of Nosy Be located a few nautical miles from mainland Madagascar is Nosy Iranja. The island is home to some of the most tranquil turquoise waters sitting off the Baramahamay River and surrounded by mangrove trees that feed into an electric blue colored sea. A well positioned lighthouse has been constructed at the top of this island, which is also home to the school on the island. Nosy Iranja is a hatching ground for both Green turtles and Hawksbill turtles, which can be seen swimming around the anchorage. These turtles can grow up to 5 feet long and are easy to spot from the boat as they come up for a breath in between dives to snack on the seagrass below. There is a long spit of white sand that connects the main island of Nosy Iranja with its southeast point.

Russian Bay - Ambavatory, or Russian Bay is 25 nautical miles from Nosy Be located on mainland Madagascar at the tip of the Ampasindava Peninsula. Sheltered from the sea and surrounded by vibrant green hills that are completely covered with a jungle, Russian Bay is a remarkable environmental ecosystem that’s frequented by pods of dolphins, whale sharks and other unique species. It also serves as a mating ground for humpback whales, while the beaches are a nesting place for sea turtles. The bay is also lined with exceptional coral reefs. On land, there are scattered fishing villages along the waterfront, and the community is largely made up of boatbuilders and fishermen that happily welcome you ashore to explore their domain.