How to reach

By plane

The following companies come to Nosy Be airport:
Ethiopian Airlines
Madagascar Airlines
Neosair
Airlink

From the airport, take a taxi or other vehicle to the port of Nosy Komba next to the large port of Hell-Ville.

 

By road

By car, bush taxi or private 4×4 taxi. Departure from Antananarivo, Mahajunga or Diego Suarez; arrival at Ambanja. Then take a taxi to Ankify (30 minutes). Then, transfer by dugout canoe or fast boat from Ankify to Nosy Komba or Nosy Be.
Most of the collective boats from Ankify go to the port of Hell Ville Nosy Be. If you want to go directly to Nosy Komba without passing through Nosy Be, please inform the person in charge of the boat before leaving Ankify.

By the sea

Transfer from Hell-Ville Nosy Be in a “collective” pirogue (with other people) from 9:00 am to noon every morning. Price per person: 20 000 ariary. For those who wish to be independent, it is possible to rent a fast boat for a private transfer.

By cruise ship :

Sailboat or ferry cruise.
Please contact specialized agencies for more information.

Visa formalities for Nosy Be

How to obtain a tourist visa ?

Visas are issued on arrival at Fascène airport, Nosy Be, or at Ivato airport, Tananarive, for a period of less than 60 days and for a single entry into the country. It is also possible to apply online via the “evisa” portal. For the online version, you need to apply between 7 days and 6 months before entering Madagascar.

Price of the visa (2024)

  • From 0 to 15 days: €10 / $10.
  • From 16 to 30 days: 35€ / 37$.
  • From 31 to 61 days: €40 / $45.

The price of the visa issued at Fascène, Nosy Be or Ivato, Tananarive airport is the same as for the paperless version obtained online.

The essentials to take

R

Torch (headlamp)

R

Waterproof bag

R

Hat

R

Sunglasses

R

Trekking shoes

R

Long clothing

R

Raining clothes

R

Knife

R

Water purification tablets

R

Hearing protection

R

Travelling mosquito net

R

Sunscreen cream

Q

Non-rechargeable batteries

Q

Disposable plastics (razors, etc.)

Q

Aerosol cans

Q

Hair dryer

Q

Valuable items

Q

Lots of cash

RESPECT

Find out about the country’s customs before leaving and respect local traditions.

Malaria

Take anti-malaria treatment and repellent against mosquito bites.

CURRENCY

Do not confuse euro and ariary (the local currency). By believing to “spoil” certain people, one does not necessarily do a service!

Diving mask

Even if you are not a “Cousteau”, bring a diving mask to discover the marine fauna in less than 3 meters of water.

Responsible travel

It’s important to respect the closing periods of protected species in reproduction: shrimps, spiny lobsters, crabs, octopuses… because it is possible that some restaurant owners offer them anyway! These animals are now endangered.

To avoid contributing to their disappearance, do not buy dead shells, turtle shells, shark teeth, dried seahorses, etc.
In general, during excursions, do not touch any species.

FAQ

Questions / Advice

What to do with your waste?

Although some tourist service providers treat their waste, unfortunately there is no recycling or waste disposal centre. Do not leave batteries and other difficult to dispose of products at the end of your stay, as there is a good chance that they will end up in the forest or at the bottom of the ocean.

How much does a visa for Madagascar and Nosy Be cost?

In 2024 the price of a visa for Madagascar is :
0 to 15 days: 10€ / 10$.
16 to 30 days: 35€ / 37$.
31 to 61 days: €40 / $45.

The price of the visa issued at the airport is the same as for the paperless version obtained online.

What is the essential to take in his suitcase if there was only one?

Don’t go out at night without a flashlight, on the island there is no public electricity. The moon is a friend, but she’s not there every night.

Why should I choose long clothing over sunscreen?
Sunscreen creams are among the enemies of coral and marine life. Once empty, the tube of cream will not be recycled and it is not uncommon to find it on the beaches and in nature.
Why shouldn't you touch the animals?
Humans present a risk of transmitting harmful parasites to wildlife and carry a particular odour that can make the animal vulnerable and alienate it from its family.