The beautiful island of Nosy Iranja, Madagascar

Beaches and Islands

Madagascar has a beach to suit everyone, from the wild southern shores in style at Manafiafy, the exotic charm and tropical coast in the east at Ile St Marie or Masoala to the luxury options in the north, what better way to relax after all that exploring?

Popular as they may be, the beaches and islands around Nosy Be (known as the Perfumed Isle, from the heady scent of ylang-ylang blossom in the air) offer beautiful beaches in the most exotic of settings. Tsara Komba is perfect for honeymooners, Tsarabanjina for the more active or Eden Lodge for those who want wildlife and beach, you can take your pick.

Anjajavy offers its own private nature reserve, reached by private plane where the hosting and options are second to none. The rustic east coast beaches at Masoala Forest Lodge or the superb boutique option at Princesse Bora, with great whale watching, there are plenty of choices to consider, depending on how much, or how little you want to do.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Yacht charter, Ibo Island, Mozambique
Beaches and Islands

Charter a Yacht

Island-hop along Madagascar’s north-western coast on a private, skippered yacht.

Aye aye, nocturnal lemur, Palmarium Private Reserve, Madagascar
Beaches and Islands

Madagascar Family Adventure

Search for pirate graves and elusive aye-ayes, before making bows and arrows and going on a bug-hunt.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Traditional sailboat near Nosy Be island in northern Madagascar
Beaches and Islands

Anjajavy Adventure

Sail, windsurf, snorkel and canoe off the beaches on Anjajavy.

Suggested stay

Aerial view of cost fo Ile St Marie, Madagascar
Beaches and Islands

Snorkel on Ile St Marie

Snorkel over historical shipwrecks off the coast of Ile St Marie.

Suggested stay

Manafiafy, Whale breaching,
Beaches and Islands

Whale Watching

Time your trip right and head out to watch whales breaching off-shore between June and September.

Suggested lodge

Pirogue trip, Masoala Forest Lodge, Masoala Penninsula
Beaches and Islands

Coastal Forests

Explore the coastal forests in search of lemur species, including unusual black lemurs, as well as land crabs and chameleons.

Suggested lodge

Sea turtle, Madagascar
Beaches and Islands

Sea Turtles

During nesting season, spot sea turtles on the beaches. At other times, encounter them beneath the surface, often snacking on seagrasses.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Princesse Bora £££££

  • Madagascar
  • Beach and Island Escapes

This relaxed and stylish privately-owned eco-lodge lies on the tropical shores of Ile St Marie and is everything you hope it will be, with the lobby area a simple mix of polished driftwood, smooth stone and colourful cushions, setting the scene. Each of the open-sided villas is stylishly furnished with creatively designed hanging beds and spotless bathrooms with the uncluttered interiors all cool whitewashed walls and dark wooden shutters. The large wrap-around verandas look out across the ocean or lodge grounds, where wooden walkways thread through the colourful tropical gardens, leading to the excellent restaurant, which not only has a superb wine cellar but serves the freshest food, with mouth-watering Creole, French and Malagasy influences.

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Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge £££££

  • Madagascar
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Offering the perfect antidote to the dusty and adventurous Mandrare (its sister camp), these enormous, open-plan, luxury cottages are about exceptional service and being wined and dined. The rooms themselves and private decking are discreetly tucked away on a remote and wild stretch of mangrove beach, with the main lodge open but designed in such a way as to create a cosy and convivial atmosphere.

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Tsara Komba £££££

  • Madagascar
  • Beach and Island Escapes

The thrilling 20-minute speedboat ride from the harbour to the island sets the scene for this stylish property, where eight, individually styled wooden cottages are hidden from view on a hillside overflowing with bougainvillea. Hard as it may be to leave the haven of peace the rooms and private veranda’s offer, the expansive beach below is dotted with plenty of discreet wooden jetty’s and hammocks in which to hide away and soak up the views of dazzling turquoise sea and mountains beyond if the island walks, snorkelling or diving all seem a bit too energetic.

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Tsarabanjina £££££

  • Madagascar
  • Beach and Island Escapes

This tiny island in the north of Madagascar is perfect for those who crave Robinson Crusoe adventure, but with five-star luxuries. The 25 beach facing, thatched villas are split between the north and south beaches (the north is slightly quieter) combining contemporary interiors, with wooden Malagasy artefacts, on the white-washed walls.

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Anjajavy £££££

  • Madagascar
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Situated 120 kilometres north of Mahajanga and only accessible by the lodge’s private plane is the luxurious boutique Anjajavy hotel. Anjajavy rests on a peninsula from the Mozambique channel within a large bay, behind which lies a beautiful forest reserve which means Anjajavy offers you the best of both worlds – a beautiful beach and a private forest reserve full of lemurs and chameleons.

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Miavana £££££

  • Madagascar
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Only accessible by helicopter, Miavana lies on Nosy Ankao, close to Madagascar’s northernmost point. Making up part of a larger archipelago, this isolated desert island sits amongst azure seas, surrounded by shallow coral reefs. White-sand beaches fringe the outer edges of the island, with deep green vegetation filling its interior. Broad, low palm trees dot the coastline and quiet fishing villages are hidden within the island’s wide coves. Miavana is made up of 14 private villas, all with ocean and beach views. Scattered along Nosy Ankao’s shoreline, they range from one bedroom to three bedrooms in size. The beautiful location is perfect for outdoor activities, with whale watching, snorkelling, kite surfing, diving, sailing and walking all available.

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Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our Madagascar holiday ideas.

Our Madagascar experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.

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  • 1 800 571 2985

Chris Johnston

Having trekked through rainforests, searched for ancient tombs and been mistaken for a priest, Chris continues to travel the length and breadth of this beautiful, baffling country. Whilst many people consider Madagascar a wildlife destination, he finds the culture and landscapes just as captivating.

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  • 1 800 571 2985

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