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Madagascar
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and it lies in the Indian Ocean off the south east coast of Africa. This is a destination that is in its infancy as regards tourism. There are some small hotels and some liveaboards operating in the area, but you can expect to be undisturbed by rampant holidaymakers. On the other hand, there are an abundance of fish and coral making Madagascar an attractive prospect to the diver.
The best diving opportunities are around the islands and islets surrounding Nosy Be on the north and west coasts. Main diving centres are Nossi Bé with its neighbouring islands Tanikely, Nossi Mitsio and Nossi Radama, Nossi Lava, Toliara and Ile Ste-Marie (Nossi Boraha). There are also some good diving sites in the south of the island and dive operators operating there, mainly around Ifaty.
The island of Ste Marie, off the east coast, is Madagascar’s third scuba diving venue, of interest to wreck divers. Coral formations are at their best around the small island Ile Aux Nattes, to the south of Ste Marie, and include: The Pagodas, an accessible, large coral formation (to 12m) with rays, lobster, tortoise and the range of coral species;
Off La Crique, Coco Bay (to 25m) has a variety of coral formations, pelagic fish and tortoises. Paroi des Merous (to 40m), a site for experienced divers only, offers some exciting diving. Further north, around La Cocoteraie, Anivorano Rocks offers diving on granitic rocks with barracuda, (to 20m); the wreck of a fishing boat is an easy dive (15m) providing magnificent photo opportunities; and Pointe Alebrand (to 20m) is a beautiful dive, a sandy bed with granite boulders, grey shark, rays, barracuda. Humpback whales migrate past the island from July to October.
Madagascar is a great adventure travel destination. The forests abound with a wide and exotic myriad of flora and fauna, lemurs, chameleons, periwinkles and baobabs, aloes, geckoes, sifakas and octopus trees can easily be any nature enthusiast’s dream answered. Madagascar has preserved oddities and developed specializations found nowhere else on earth in their accessible national parks. With fascinating tribal cultures and ceremonies and an intriguing assortment of fady (local taboos) that are quite perplexing to visitors, Madagascar is a unique destination...
Climate
Madagascar has a hot and subtropical climate, but is colder in the mountains. Rainy season: November to March. Dry season: April to October. The south and west regions are hot and dry. Monsoons bring storms and cyclones to the east and north from December to March. The mountains, including Antananarivo, are warm and thundery from November to April and dry, cool and windy the rest of the year.
Worldwise
A worthwhile trip into the interior of the island, to Ankarana, visits the huge caves there which once were home to an ancient people. Madagascar is famous for its lemurs – there are many species to be seen, some of which are endangered. It would be sad to visit the island and not experience the incredible wildlife that can only be seen here. Try and visit some of the local markets to see the fresh spices for which Madagascar is so famous. Public transport is unreliable and some grasp of French is vital if you venture out of the hotel!
Getting There:
The cheapest flights to Madagascar probably come out of UK bucket shops. You can get direct flights from Paris, Rome, Singapore, Johannesburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Zurich. It may be best to book a package from a tour operator who can co-ordinate all your arrangements.
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