Excursions
See more of the local islands.
Your Island getaway
Your island base for wider adventures
Although Nosy Sakatia is beautiful and offers plenty to do, staying at Sakatia Lodge also gives you a perfect base to explore the remarkable variety of islands and nature in Madagascar’s north-west.
Our team can help arrange any of the excursions below. Speak to the managers on arrival or mention your interests when you make your booking enquiry.
Nosy Iranja & Nosy Antsoha
Nosy Iranja &
Nosy Antsoha
Half day
If you were going to imagine a perfect tropical island, it might look like Nosy Iranja. Turquoise seas, white sand beaches. It is truly beautiful here. Two islands connected by a sand spit at low tide, you can swim in the clear waters, visit the fishermen’s village or walk to the lighthouse for a breathtaking view.
Iconic sandbar connecting two islands at low tide
Walk to the lighthouse for panoramic views
Visit the local fishermen’s village
Humpback whales and dolphins in season
Stop at Nosy Antsoha to see three species of resident lemurs
Nosy Tanikely
Half day
Nosy Tanikely is one of the most popular excursions in the Nosy Be archipelago and is well known for its clear water, colourful reefs and excellent snorkelling. This small volcanic island is a protected marine reserve where hawksbill turtles, schools of reef fish and a variety of corals can be observed in shallow water.
On land, a short walk leads to the island’s historic lighthouse. Still one of the few operational lighthouses in Madagascar, it offers spectacular 360-degree views across the surrounding islands, reefs and the Mozambique Channel.
The island is also home to crowned lemurs and large colonies of nesting tropicbirds. Along the less-visited side of the island, white-tailed tropicbirds can often be seen soaring overhead or nesting amongst the cliffs and vegetation, adding another dimension to the visit beyond the marine reserve itself.
More on Nosy Be
Half or full day
Nosy Be, the “big island”, offers a fascinating mix of culture, history, nature and adventure. The main town, officially called Andoany but still widely known as Hell-Ville, takes its name from French admiral Anne Chrétien Louis de Hell and remains the commercial heart of the archipelago.
An early morning visit to the market is one of the best ways to experience local life. Here you can browse vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and other spices for which the region is famous, including black pepper, green pepper, red pepper and Madagascar’s distinctive wild pepper.
Nature lovers may wish to visit the Diego Hely waterfall, explore the sacred crater lakes and viewpoints of Mont Passot, or spend time at Lemuria Land, a wildlife and botanical park known for its lemurs, reptiles, ylang-ylang distillery and tropical gardens.
For guests looking for something more active, horse riding, quad biking and a variety of other activities can also be arranged.
As there is far more to see than can be experienced in a single day, our team can help tailor an excursion to match your interests. Whether you are interested in wildlife, local culture, history, photography, food, nature or adventure, we can help design a half-day or full-day programme that makes the most of your time on Nosy Be.
Lokobe Nature Reserve
Full day
Lokobe is the last remaining area of primary rainforest on Nosy Be and offers one of the best opportunities to experience Madagascar’s unique wildlife in its natural habitat.
The excursion begins with a drive to Ambatozavavy, where local guides welcome visitors aboard a traditional pirogue. Crossing the sheltered bay beneath the mangroves, you arrive at a small village accessible only by water, marking the entrance to the reserve.
Accompanied by an experienced local guide, the walk through the forest provides opportunities to encounter lemurs, chameleons, geckos, birds and many other species found nowhere else on Earth. Lokobe is particularly well known for its nocturnal mouse lemurs, among the smallest primates in the world, as well as the remarkable leaf chameleons of the genus Brookesia. Patient visitors may be fortunate enough to encounter both Brookesia stumpffi and the even smaller Brookesia minima, one of the tiniest chameleons known to science.
After the walk, a traditional Malagasy lunch is served before returning by pirogue across the bay and travelling back towards Sakatia.
Nosy Komba
Full day
Known throughout the archipelago as “Lemur Island”, Nosy Komba is famous for its wildlife, traditional craftsmanship and village life. A visit offers the opportunity to experience a different side of Madagascar, where local culture and artisan traditions remain an important part of everyday life.
Many visitors begin with a walk through the forest reserve, where tame black lemurs roam freely and chameleons, geckos and other wildlife can often be observed amongst the vegetation. The reserve provides excellent opportunities for photography and close encounters with some of Madagascar’s most iconic species.
The island is equally renowned for its artisan community. Handmade embroidered tablecloths, paintings, wood carvings and traditional crafts can be found throughout the village. Nosy Komba is also known for its vanilla production, making it one of the best places in the region to purchase locally grown vanilla and other spices.
Beyond the market, visitors gain an insight into traditional island life. Skilled craftsmen continue to build many of the pirogues used throughout the Nosy Be archipelago, preserving techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Fishing
Fishing from the lodge
Full day
The waters north of Nosy Sakatia offer some of the most productive sport fishing grounds in the Nosy Be archipelago. Full-day fishing excursions depart directly from the lodge and head offshore to reefs, drop-offs and offshore structures where a variety of pelagic and game fish can be targeted throughout the year.
Depending on the season and conditions, anglers may encounter species such as wahoo, king mackerel, giant trevally (GT), sailfish and marlin. Techniques vary throughout the day and may include trolling, casting, popping, jigging and live-bait fishing, allowing guests to experience different styles of fishing during a single excursion.
We work with a carefully selected group of experienced local operators who share our commitment to responsible fishing practices. Many of the boats actively support catch-and-release and tagging programmes whenever conditions allow.
Excursions typically depart from the lodge at 07:30 and return shortly before sunset, with light refreshments and a packed lunch included. Boats comfortably accommodate four to five anglers, while larger groups can be accommodated with additional vessels.
As availability can be limited during peak periods, advance booking is recommended, although trips can often be arranged during your stay.
Things to do on Nosy Sakatia itself
After exploring the surrounding islands, reefs and forests, many guests discover that some of their favourite moments happen right here on Nosy Sakatia.
Take a walk along the island’s footpaths, visit the local village, watch lemurs moving through the trees, or simply spend time enjoying the gardens and wildlife around the lodge. At high tide, the ocean reaches right up to the waterfront, inviting you to swim, snorkel or simply relax beside the water.
For those who enjoy nature, the island rewards slow exploration. Wander amongst tropical plants, towering trees, birds, chameleons and geckos, or spend time discovering the remarkable variety of life that exists both above and below the waterline.
And sometimes the best activity is no activity at all. Find a comfortable chair, order a cocktail, watch the changing tides and enjoy the rare luxury of having nowhere you need to be.
Even with reliable Wi-Fi throughout the lodge, many guests find themselves switching off their devices and reconnecting with something simpler: the ocean, the island and the rhythm of life on Nosy Sakatia