Madagascar 10 Day Luxury Sailing Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Nosy Be, island paradise

Upon your arrival at Fascene Airport, Nosy Be, you will be met in arrivals by your private transfer driver and assisted through immigration services.

As you are driven to your hotel, take in the beautiful landscape and dramatic views. You will pass by fragrant ylang-ylang and vanilla orchid plantations before you enter town.

After a welcome drink, relax, enjoy an evening swim or cocktail, and a three-course meal designed to excite your senses.

Day 2 - Bay of Russians

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Hell-ville Marina. From here you will set sail for Nosy Tanikely Marine National Park (1 hour sailing). This park offers a safe and family-friendly introduction to snorkelling. As you enter the water, the beauty starts to unravel, turtles abound, and the sea comes alive with a myriad of brightly coloured fishes. Tide-dependent, you may also be able to walk around the island.

Following lunch, and possibly a little more sightseeing, you will set sail to the Bay of Russians. This four-hour crossing is an ideal time to relax on the deck, read a book, or catch a tan.

As afternoon approaches, you will enter the Bay of Russians which is a secluded sanctuary for marine life and a quiet refuge during stormy conditions. Here you will hopefully get to see whale sharks, humpback whales giving birth or numerous pods of dolphins who call the tranquillity of this bay, home. For the more adventurous, why not stop off at one of the local beach bars and enjoy the picture-perfect setting? The more energetically inclined may want to seek out the remains of the old Russian fort.

Day 3 - Welcome to the Ramdama Island archipelago

After an early breakfast, you will set sail for Nosy Kalakajoro. This six-hour journey is a great time to reflect and enjoy the magical port-side views of the Madagascar coastline. Nosy Kalakajoro is part of the Ramdama Island archipelago and offers a unique volcanic landscape. It is also the highest of the Radama Islands at 47 m above sea level.

Lunch will be served on one of the beautiful beaches, whereafter you have various options on how to spend your afternoon. The island has powdery white sands and provides for seriously great diving. For the non-divers, snorkelling/swimming in crystal clear warm water always rewards brightly coloured fish and corals of differing types and shapes. Head up and explore the nomad fishing village, or be mesmerised by the craftsmanship on display at the shipbuilding yard islanders crafting ocean-going vessels.

For the more adventurous, take a hike to the top of the island.

Of course, there is always the option of doing nothing whilst lying on the beach and soaking up the rays.

Day 4 - Nosy Antanimora

You will set sail to Nosy Antanimora (1.5-hour sailing) after breakfast. This little paradise on earth with its powdery sand beaches and rocky islets provides a rookery to many ocean-going birds. Take a tour of the old coconut plantations before settling into a well-deserved lunch on the beach.

After lunch, dive, swim, or simply laze your afternoon away on the soft sandy beach.

Day 5 - Nosy Valiha

Today you set sail for the romantic island of Nosy Valiha (1 hour sailing). Aside from the usual magnificent white beaches, Nosy Valiha also has black pebble beaches. The water in the lagoon is well known for its clarity and makes for excellent swimming.

Diving and snorkelling on the island’s extensive coral reef will delight you as it is home to a myriad of coral and rainbow-hued fish species.

As this is a private island, permission must be sought for any land-based activities. If permission is given, why not head out to the waterfall and marvel at the beautiful landscape?

Keep a look out for the rare Madagascar Fish Eagle.

Day 6 - Berangomaina

Day 7 - Baramamahy

After an early breakfast, you will set sail to Barahamamay (6 hours sailing). This estuary has proven a safe anchorage for many a sailor and it will be for you too. This estuary is a sanctuary for a broad diversity of species.

You will be ferried ashore to the village of Ambariomena, where you will go on a guided walk through the mangroves and primary forest. If you are lucky, you may see the critically endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle soaring above the waters after having just caught a fish.

Day 8 - Visit the Eiffel lighthouse

An early start and delicious breakfast will see you setting sail to Nosy Iranja (1-hour sailing). Nosy Iranja is made up of two islands, which tide tide-dependent, and are connected by an exposed sandbar.

Enjoy a visit to the craft market, walk the island and take a photo of a small lighthouse built in 1908 by Gustav Eiffel (yes, as in the Eiffel Tower, Eiffel!), or simply soak up the sun under the many beach umbrellas. Don’t forget the sandbar, it provides calm clear turquoise waters making it a gorgeous backdrop for photos and protected swimming.

After lunch on board, you will set sail back to Nosy Be (5-hour sailing).

Day 9 - Nosy Be City Tour

Today you will visit the village of Dzamandzar, the birthplace of Dzama Rhum. The distillery and sugar factory have long since closed, but they still stand as proud landmarks.

You will then travel to the capital, Hell-ville, where you will visit various markets and colonial buildings.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, whereafter you will visit the Mount Passot viewpoint with has incredible 360-degree views of the island.