Nosy Be Island Tourism Information

Quick Facts: Nosy Be Island

• Nosy Be island is situated off the northwest coast of Madagascar
• Nosy Be is Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort
• This lush island covers an area of 312 km2 and has about 40 000 inhabitants
• The Malagasy word 'Nosy Be' can be translated as 'big island'
• Nosy Be used to be called Assada during the early colonial era of the seventeenth century
• Nosy Be nestles about 8 kilometers from the coast of mainland Madagascar in the Mozambique Channel
• Surrounding smaller islands are: Nosy Komba, Nosy Mitsio, Nosy Sakatia, and Nosy Tanikely
• Nosy Be's main town is Andoany
• Nosy Be is a volcanic island with its highest peak Mont Lokobe measuring 450 meters high
• Mont Lokobe volcano is of Holocene origin but has not erupted in recorded history
• 11 volcanic crater lakes can be found on the Nosy Be island
• The world's smallest frog (Stumpffia pygmaea) and chameleon ( rookesia minima) can be found in Nosy Be
• The Lokobe Reserve is one of Madagascar's five Strict Nature Reserves

Introducing Nosy Be Island

The tropical Nosy Be island is situated off the northwest coast of Madagascar.  Being Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist risland Nosy Be covers an area of 312 km2 with about 40 000 inhabitants.  The Malagasy word Nosy Be can be translated as "big island".  This island of Madagascar used to be called Assada during the early colonial era of the seventeenth century.

Geography of Nosy Be, Madagascar

Nosy Be is located about eight kilometers from the coast of mainland Madagascar in the Mozambique Channel.  Numerous smaller islands are situated nearby, including Nosy Komba, Nosy Mitsio, Nosy Sakatia, and Nosy Tanikely. Nosy Be's main town is Andoany.

This volcanic island in Madagascar occupies an area of about 312 km² and reaches its highest peak at Mont Lokobe which is 450 meters high.  Mont Lokobe volcano is of Holocene origin but has not erupted in recorded history.  Eleven volcanic crater lakes can be found on the Nosy Be island.

Wildlife of Nosy Be island in Madagascar

Nosy Be island in Madagascar is famous for having the world's smallest frog, Stumpffia pygmaea, and chameleon, Brookesia minima.  The Lokobe Reserve is one of Madagascar's five Strict Nature Reserves which are called 'Réserves Naturelles Intégrales' in the local language.  Nosy Be is also home to a specific colour of panther chameleon, Furcifer pardalis.

Climate of Nosy Be in Madagascar

The island of Nosy Be in Madagascar has a tropical climate. It is most humid during the summer which is December, January and February. The Tsaratanana massif on Nosy Be partially protects the island from the strong north-east winds affecting the region in August or during tropical depressions.

Administration of Nosy Be island

Nosy Be island constitutes a department within the Diana region and the Antsiranana Province, and is organized as the City of Nosy Be.

Transportation Nosy Be, Madagascar

The island of Nosy Be, Madagascar, is served by the Fascene Airport. This airport offers direct flights from Europe on Corsairfly, Air Madagascar and Air Italy. Its main city and harbour, Andoany which used to be called Hellville can be reached by boat from Ankify.