A picturesque retreat away from the far more touristy Nosy Be, the island of Nosy Sakatia offers the calm of its pristine beaches, its endearing shy lemurs and its chameleons. You can get lost in the hills, trekking down the dry river-beds and listening to the sounds of the Malagasy wilderness.
The landscape presents unexpected plantations of pineapple, fields of ylang-ylang and gentle views over Nosy Be and the vast blue ocean.
Visitors to Nosy Sakatia can discover the beautiful coral gardens surrounding the island. Snorkelling will bring you in contact with a rich unspoilt underwater world. The island’s only diving centre can provide you with all the information on the extraordinary marine creatures and even take you for a night dive. Seeing the reef and fish glowing at night is a truly unforgettable experience. Visitors coming in July and August will be rewarded with sights of migrating humpback whales, often swimming into the bay between Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Be. From September to November, whale sharks come to feed just below the surface of the sea. Thanks to research and conservation efforts, the numbers of these wonderful animals visiting Madagascan waters have been increasing every year.
Nosy Sakatia has a newly-established turtle protection zone: Ambohibe Reserve, where you can snorkel with giant green turtles peacefully grazing on the sea-grass beds. At high tide, you can count to 15 of them grazing inside the protected area. The island has supported local efforts to build up the database of the turtles in the area and, as a guest, you will be invited to participate in this scientific work, carried out by citizens.
Nosy Sakatia is a little secluded paradise lying just close to the more touristy island of Nosy Be. A short stay on the island will be well rewarded not only through observing the rich wild life, but also by more personal contact with local people, tiny beach-front villages and the Sakalava mora-mora life style.
From March to November, the weather is dry and the sea is calm. The turtles come to feed on the sea grass, but if you wish to see the whales, you should come between July and September. The whale shark season normally lasts from September to November. The lemurs will welcome you all year round.
The national airlines Air Madagascar and Tsaradia fly directly to Nosy Be airport from the capital Antananarivo. Once on Nosy Be, head to Chanty beach for the short boat transfer to Nosy Sakatia.
Stay at Sakatia Lodge in the Delphino Villa or Ocean Beach Resort bungalows. On the other side of the island, visitors can enjoy a stay at Danae Beach, spending their days reclining in hammocks and swimming in the turquoise waters.
Sakatia Lodge will excite your taste buds with its delicious meals and home-made delicacies. For a more rustic style of cooking, head to Gargote, Chez Marie or Chez Celestine. All these options should be pre-booked, as the local ladies will buy the fresh ingredients and prepare the food specially for you.
In addition to snorkeling with giant green turtles and watching tropical fish, you will be amazed by the rich greenery of the island, compared to Nosy Be. Visiting wild plantations and watching lemurs coming down from the sacred hill at sunset can be an unforgettable experience. Ah, and the sunsets! Don't miss the experience of watching the sun sinking down into the waters of the Mozambique Channel.
