Known as the “Scented Island,” Nosy Be is Madagascar’s most famous and popular tourist destination. Located off the northwestern coast, its name means “big island” in the Malagasy language. The air here is fragrant with the blossoms of ylang-ylang trees, vanilla, coffee, and various spices grown on numerous plantations. With its beautiful beaches, tranquil crater lakes, and vibrant surrounding archipelago, Nosy Be is a volcanic paradise that offers a more developed resort experience compared to other Malagasy destinations, serving as a hub for marine exploration and relaxation.

Name and Address

• Name: Nosy Be (official name).
• Address: Located in the Mozambique Channel, off the northwestern coast of Madagascar. The island’s capital and main town is Andoany (historically known as Hell-Ville).

How to Get There

Nosy Be is one of the most accessible destinations in Madagascar, especially for international travelers.

• By Air: This is the most common method. Fascene Airport (NOS) is an international airport that receives direct flights from several European cities, as well as domestic flights from Antananarivo.
• By Sea: For those traveling overland through northern Madagascar, regular speedboats and ferries connect the island to the mainland port of Ankify. The crossing is relatively short and scenic.

Landscape and Architecture

The island’s landscape is a diverse mix of volcanic terrain, lush forests, and coastal beauty, while its architecture reflects a blend of local and colonial influences.

• Natural Landscape: Formed by volcanic activity, Nosy Be features rolling hills, eleven sacred crater lakes, and stunning beaches. The island is surrounded by a necklace of smaller, pristine islands like Nosy Komba (lemur island), Nosy Tanikely (a marine national park), and Nosy Iranja (famous for its connecting sandbar). The Lokobe Reserve protects the last remnant of the island’s original Sambirano rainforest, a sanctuary for endemic wildlife.
• Architecture and Historic Sites: The main town, Andoany (Hell-Ville), retains some charming French colonial architecture, with weathered buildings, a bustling covered market, and old cannons overlooking the harbor. Outside the capital, the landscape is dotted with traditional fishing villages and a wide range of modern tourist resorts and lodges.

What Makes It Famous

Nosy Be’s fame is built on its aromatic plantations, its role as a premier beach destination, and its function as a gateway to an exceptional marine environment.

• The “Scented Island”: Its nickname comes from the pervasive, sweet scent of ylang-ylang, a flower whose oil is a key ingredient in many world-famous perfumes. Vanilla, coffee, and spice plantations are also major attractions.
• Premier Resort Destination: It is Madagascar’s most developed tourist hub, offering a wide array of hotels, restaurants, and activities that cater to international visitors, giving it a more polished feel than other parts of the country.
• Island Hopping Paradise: Nosy Be is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding archipelago. Day trips to snorkel in Nosy Tanikely, see semi-habituated lemurs in Nosy Komba, or relax on the powedery sands of Nosy Iranja are quintessential experiences.
• Rich Marine Life: The surrounding coral reefs are teeming with biodiversity, making it a top spot for scuba diving and snorkeling, with opportunities to see sea turtles, dolphins, and, seasonally, whale sharks.

Differences from Other Wonders

Nosy Be offers a distinctly different experience from Île Sainte-Marie and other Malagasy destinations.

• Climate and Location: Located on the northwest coast, Nosy Be enjoys a sunnier, drier climate than Île Sainte-Marie on the rainier east coast, making it more of a year-round beach destination.
• Atmosphere and Development: Nosy Be is significantly more developed, with a bustling, resort-like atmosphere and a more established tourism infrastructure. Île Sainte-Marie is generally considered quieter, more rustic, and more “authentic.”
• Primary Attraction: While Île Sainte-Marie’s main draw is the seasonal humpback whale migration, Nosy Be’s primary attractions—island hopping, diving, and its plantations—are available year-round.
• Accessibility: With its international airport receiving direct flights from Europe, Nosy Be is a much easier standalone destination to reach for many travelers compared to the more remote Île Sainte-Marie.