Nosy Be is both a starting point for boat charters, excursions on the sea and the ultimate tropical island escape for a relaxing vacation. On the way from Fascene  Airport you will understand why Nosy Be is called the Scented Island (Nosy Manitra) or "Perfume Island". An intoxicating mix envelops you: the perfume of the Ylang Ylang flower, coffee, pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, saffron and sugar cane. You'll find all these delicious spices in the ‘bazaar’ and the boutiques in Hell Ville, the chief town in Nosy Be. Other highlights include the harbour with its dugout canoes, and close by, the Ylang Ylang distillery, the CNRO (National Centre for Oceanographic Research) and the Maritime Museum are well worth a visit.

Diving Nosy Be

North of Nosy Be is the Archipelago of the Mitsio and to its south the Archipelago of the Radama. In its immediate surroundings, Nosy Sakatia, Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Iranja and Nosy Fahinihi offer excellent diving.

The "Perfume Island" offers a large variety of local marine life: soft and hard coral, groupers, turtles, mantas, whale sharks, barracuda - for the beginner and advanced diver alike. For more information on diving, click here.