Nosy Saba and Radama Archipelago – 8 days

Dive into a world apart … Nosy Saba welcomes you in the heart of a real tropical garden. Sea turquoise, fine sand beaches, exceptional submarine landscapes are so many natural treasures which offer themselves to you in this little piece of heaven of escape, synonymic of intimacy and serenity. Aboard a magnificent catamaran, leave for exploration in the Archipelago of Radama which hides strings of islands magic and secret such as Nosy Antenimora, Nosy Kalakajoro, Nosy Iranja … An elegant and exclusive cruise at the heart of Indian Ocean.

Highlights

D 1: Nosy Be > Nosy Saba

Boarding at the port Hellville then departure Nosy Saba speedboat (2h30 navigation) .
Afternoon at leisure to relax, discover places and start smoothly your stay.

D 2 and 3: Days at leisure at Ste Marie

Days at leisure to enjoy the beach, resort activities and excursions listed below (with supplement):
– Excursion in the island of Nosy Saba and hiking in the rainforest to meet two species of blue-eyed lemurs: Eulemur Macao flavifrons and Eulemur rubriventer.
– Visit the Sahamalaza National Park (153 000 ha natural reserve, home to lemurs, birds, dolphins, whales and endemic corals)
– Excursion to the village of Analalava and the mangrove on the coast of the Big Island,
– Visit of Nosy Lava Island, a former penal colony and a burial place for Sakalava kings.

D 4: Nosy Saba > Nosy Antanimora

Morning at leisure.
Lunch at Nosy Saba and departure with the catamaran Blue Angel inside Radama Archipelago up to the island of Nosy Antenimora.
Overnight stop at Nosy Antenimora. Its name means “easy land” in Malagasy. This deserted island is at certain times, a place of harvest of sea cucumbers for local fishermen. This is one of the ideal places to snorkel there.

D 5: Nosy Antanimora > Nosy Valiha

Day of sailing in the Radama archipelago with visit of Nosy Valiha, a passage in Nosy Berafia and lunch at Nosy Kalakajoro.

Nosy Berafia is the largest island of the archipelago of Radama; it extends over 10 km long and 3 km wide. We discover plantations (coffee, mango, jackfruit …) and a friendly local population living to the rhythm of fishing. The main village houses Mahabo royal tombs.

Nosy Kalakajoro offers a true wilderness with abundant vegetation which houses among other lemurs. From its summit which is accessed by a ridge trail, the view is magnificent. The island is also famous for these constructions of pirogues and dhows where you can discover the work of craftsmen who still work the wood in a traditional way.

Overnight stop in the Bay of Baramamay. Bay and estuary Baramamay river estuary are bordered by a beautiful mangrove where there are bats, mangrove crabs and the fish eagle Ankoay. The estuary is home to many dhows are in fairing in the port town of Ambariomena, and the heights of the island offer a panoramic view of the entire region.

D 6: Nosy Iranja and the Bay of Russes

Day of sailing to Nosy Iranja and Baie des Russes.
Lunch at Nosy Iranja.
Nosy Iranja consists of two islands: Iranja Be (“the big”) and Iranja Kely (“the small”) that are interconnected by a bench of pristine sand reached on foot at low tide. This little paradise welcomes and protects the reproduction of sea turtles. Visit to the small fishing village and lighthouse erected on the highest point, offering a magnificent panorama.Overnight stop in the Baie des Russes. The story goes that Russian sailors in the region in the early 1900s would have given its name to the bay. This region is known for the beauty of its environment. The numerous coral reefs are real natural aquariums to explore. You can see dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales that come to mate and calve in this area. The coast is dotted with small villages of fishermen living mainly from fishing, farming and the culture of coconut.

D 7: Nosy Tanikely and Lokobe

Day of navigation Nosy Tanikely and Lokobe.
Nosy Tanikely means «island of the small earth” in Malagasy. This submarine national reserve can be simply discovered snorkelling. The much protected seabed shelters turtles, coral and fish of all kinds. An abandoned lighthouse in the middle of the island provides access to a beautiful view of the bay of Nosy Be.Overnight stop in front of Lokobe. Lokobe National Park consists of a land reserve of 740 acres dotted with streams, and a marine reserve of 122 ha with coral reefs. The park gets its name from the wax produced by the many honeycombs and this is one of the few places in Madagascar where the primitive forest still exists. It is home to many species of birds, reptiles, primates and amphibians and among its flora, there are four species of palms.

D 8: Nosy Be

Short morning sail to Nosy Be and arrival at the port of Hellville.
End of services.

RATES 2015:

[table]
Number of person,4,5,6,7,8
Prix par personne[attr style="background: #dddddd;"],1 816 €,1 531 €,1 444 €,1 378 €,1 313 €[/table]