Yacht Charter Madagascar Nosy Be

General Info
Though in the local language the name Nosy Be means Big Island, this is one of the smaller islands of the Madagascar archipelago, and yet one of the most popular and visited resorts by Yacht Charter lovers. Nosy Be and a couple other smaller islands are located 8km from the main island, in the north of the Mozambique Channel.

Nosy Be is of volcanic origin, with an area of 312 square km and a maximum altitude of 450m. The tropical climate found here favored the lush jungle vegetation which can be admired at the Lokobe Reserve, where Yacht Charter groups can also encounter the world smallest frog species and the smallest chameleon.

Travel & Arrival
Getting to nosy Be is rather difficult if you’re not taking a plane, due to Madagascar’s location within the Indian Ocean. But if you’re not afraid of flying, then the airport in Antananarivo receives regular flights from Europe but there’s also one on the island itself, called Fascene Nosy-Be Airport, thus leading your Yacht Charter group right to the beach. The main operators here are Air Madagascar and Corsair (from France). AirMad makes regulate runs to Milan in Italy and also to and from Bangkok.

Those of you scared of flying or simply inseparable from the sea (like a true Yacht Charter aficionado should be) can get in on any of the boats leaving regularly from Mauritius and Reunion back on the African shore, arriving in Toamasina, a port town on the eastern coast of Madagascar’s main island.

Avant & Apres Sail
There is a reason this piece of land is called by locals and Yacht Charter visitors “The Scented Island”. It’s because of all the ylang ylang, frangipani tree, coffee, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar cane plantations that cover it and fill the air with sweet fragrances that sometimes can be felt from out at sea.

There are plenty of colonial buildings to see in Hellville (don’t let the name fool you, it’s a lovely place) and in the neighboring villages of Ambatoloaka and Ampasindava which are picturesque and filled with very hospitable people, as is the whole island in fact, one more reason why Yacht Charter guests love it so much. Other interesting experiences in Nosy Be include seeing the lemurs of Nosy Komba which are considered to be sacred and the Lokobe Natural Special Reserve.

Though the modern Yacht Charter visitor will be taken back by the wild nature of the island, there’s no need to worry when it comes to accommodation, there are lots of lovely hotels, lodges and bungalows that can make your stay even more pleasant. Some even offer sailing, fishing and scuba trips to the usual internet, Jacuzzi and pool access.

Food here is influenced by the African cultures. Rice is the backbone of the whole population and is thus found in almost all recipes. But the visinting Yacht Charter sailors don’t need to worry, the resourceful locals have come up with literally dozens of variations and combinations that will leave their mouth watering. Ask for zebu, a local type of beef, as well as the fresh seafood consisting of crabs, fish and even algae.

When the sun sets and the tired Yacht Charter enthusiasts go out for a fun night out, there are lots of things to get their attention. Nosy Be aims to cater to every need of its visitors and that’s why you’ll find venues with live music which perform either solo or in groups. Local dance groups are also fun to watch. There is even a casino, theaters and cinemas to entertain those with a modern lifestyle.

Events & Actions
Other than the exploring of the wonderfully wild and unspoiled back country, the lovely beaches (the most famous are Madieokely, Belle Vue and Andilana), the many bays and coves which are a Yacht Charter sailor’s paradise, there are also the natural reserves and the volcanic lakes, as well as trips to the neighboring islands. And if you’re a fan of the rural lifestyle, a visit to any of the numerous plantations might prove to be an unforgettable experience.