Adventure Tourism in Madagascar

The vast Malagasy territory with its varied landscapes is a land of adventures and has an amazing playground for sports and discoveries. Many tours are available on the fabulous island of Madagascar.

A trekking and hiking trip awaits you !
Hiking, Nordic walking, and trekking are the most popular activities on the island, because they are an excellent way to discover the fauna and flora of Madagascar, besides the sporting pleasures. In every region, you will find providers organizing treks with bivouacs for several days, in itinerant hiking. A complete immersion in rural environment awaits you, alongside the inhabitants of the island.

Some spectacular hikes are the ones that cross Cape Masoala, those that connect Lake Aloatra to the East Coast, and those that start with the mazes of Makay (north of the Isalo massif).

The mountaineers will probably prefer mountain treks that lead to the top of Boby Peak, or the Marojejy Peak, between forest and mineral world. There are innumerable easy hikes in Madagascar.

Following the circuits traced inside the national parks, you will fall under the charm of the most beautiful species of Malagasy fauna and flora which are often endemic.

TREKKING ON THE 12 HILLS
The 12 hills are promised lands of the historic remnants of Madagascar, and offers a multitude of experiences and panoramas to take your breath away. Go on a walk, try Nordic walking or trekking, in the heart of the 12 hills surrounding Antananarivo. Forget about civilization for a few hours.

Go camping at Masoala Park
It is the largest park in Madagascar. Walkers will be able to trek or hike from East to West, or all around the peninsula. There are also three marine parks where you can go kayaking and snorkeling.

Other than trekking and hiking
A multitude of activities are available to you such as tree climbing, paragliding, caving, canyoning, rafting, canoeing, motorized raids, etc. There are as many sports as natural resources and beautiful landscapes to discover on the island of Madagascar.

Madagascar: Surf Destination
Do you feel like riding fantastic waves at 28°C? If yes, then Madagascar is your destination. You’ll find spots all over the island offering you thrills along white sandy beaches.

Go to discover virgin spots
Discover unknown lands, deserted beaches and incredible surf spots. Madagascar will be your next surf destination, with its unusual spots. You will enjoy the joys of gliding after hiking in the lush forest of the island or after a long excursion in the southern desert. Surfing in Madagascar also means surfing the waves of the seaside resort of Mahambo (north of Toamasina), or Lavanono (in the extreme south of the country). For the younger ones, you can be initiated into surf camps around the famous coastline of Fort-Dauphin.

THE BEST TIME TO SURF?
Madagascar welcomes you all year long to help you enjoy all it has to offer. However the best period to surf remains from September to October. The water’s temperature s between 23° to 25°C in Fort Dauphin and up to 29°C in Toliara, in the middle of February. It is a surf destination that cannot disappoint you.

Choose a surf spot in Mada !
The east coast is rich in good spots during most seasons, but there is also a spot in the north or Sambava (at the mouthpiece of the river).

You will be able to go surfing in the south towards Mahambo, Toliara, or Libanona. There is a bit of everything if you go further off the coast into the reef waves.

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing in Madagascar
Madagascar is an island at the gates of Asia, offering an exceptional playground for lovers of sliding and thrill. You can practice many water sports, including kitesurfing and windsurfing, thanks to a continuous wind blowing along the northern coast of the island.

Riding in Madagascar
Is there a better place to live an exceptional surfing experience than in Madagascar? Between both kitesurfing and windsurfing, the coasts of the North of the island will offer exceptional spots, still preserved from mass tourism. Lost kite and windsurfing activities are done in Sakalava Bay, because it is one of the safest (with a side-on wind that brings you back quickly to the bay). The most skilled of you won’t be disappointed either: from April to November, there is 95 percent windy days in the north of the island. You can freely go freestyling/freeriding in the calm waters of the lagoon or go jumping in the waves, that can go up to 3m on the reef. Kitesurf spots in the North will be perfect for maneuvers and jumps.

WINDSURF AND KITESURF IN THE SAKALAVA BAY
Not far from the city of Diego-Suarez, lies the bay of Sakalava, which is a perfect spot during the summer. Still preserved from mass tourism, it offers an exceptional playground in a magnificent and wild setting. You can indulge in all types of gliding during your windsurf vacations. The wind season is between May and October (Southeast trade wind blows non-stop).

Kitesurfing in Babaomby
The entrance of the bay of Diego-Suarez is the meeting point between the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Canal, located at the extreme north of the big island. It is also known as the Emerald Sea. You will have the chance to practice kitesurfing and windsurfing on one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. The wind season is from late March to late November.

Kitesurfing in Nosy Be
If you want to “ride” on the “island with perfumes,” you won’t be disappointed. Located in the north-west of Madagascar, it is ranked among the most beautiful islands and beaches in the world. It is full of volcanic lakes and has unique fauna and flora. It remains a must for your kitesurfing stay.

Cruise Madagascar: The beauty of the Indian Ocean
Discover Madagascar from its oceans, coasts, virgin islets, exceptional under water fauna, reserves of colorful birds, and others. Enjoy a total change of scenery on a cruise from 3 to 11 days, to discover the local customs and to admire the surrounding nature.

Embark on the warm waters of Madagascar!
Enjoy a catamaran or sailboat cruise to discover Madagascar. You also have an opportunity to discover the coasts by embarking on dhows or large canoes with traditional sails.

The northwest coast, around Nosy Be, is dotted with archipelagos (Mitsio, Radama) and deep bays which are also privileged places to sail.

The southern part of the western coast reveals the large lagoons of the South and wild coasts punctuated by fishing villages on the edge of large mangrove forests.

DHOW OR CANOE CRUISES
If you want to live an exotic experience, try to adventure by sailing on boats that are not modern, but of a different time. For example, the dhows are boats with an Arabic origin, that seem to be straight out of the tale of the Arabian nights. As for the sakalava canoe, it is one of the most used ways to cruise along the coast of Madagascar. You will find dockers and dugouts with their pilot, especially on the West Coast, in circuits, to discover the baobabs.

Cruise in catamaran or sailboat
Embark aboard a catamaran for an unforgettable experience, with family or friends. All boats are equipped with full navigation equipment in accordance with international safety standards. For lovers of scuba diving, you will have the opportunity to make stops in order to admire the seabed. The ideal destinations are Toamasina on the East Coast, Nosy Be and Fort Dauphin!

Sport Fishing in Madagascar
Madagascar is one of the most popular fishing spots. You can enjoy the numerous fishing spots located mostly in the northwest of the island. You can go on a sport fishing excursion and harpoon your best catch.

Fishing in Madagascar : a unique experience
Madagascar is one of the world’s leading sport fishing destinations. The big island has one of the most fish waters of the planet, where you can fish for species such as the yellowfin tuna, bonito, barracuda, black marlin, sea bream, or swordfish. There are three large areas in the north west of the island where you can practice big-game fishing.

Whether as a beginner or an amateur, you can go on an excursion for an afternoon, or you can organize a fishing trip to Madagascar to discover the underwater wonders that live in these waters. You can be accompanied by professionals, villagers, or even on your own. Both beginners and amateurs will be pleased, with the pleasures of fishing in Madagascar. Other than fishing, you can also sunbathe on white sand beaches, or dive into the crystal clear waters.

THE MITSIO ARCHIPELAGO : TOP FISHING SPOT
After a 2 hour boat ride, you will arrive in the big game fishing area of Madagascar called the Mitsio Archipelago. There will be a multitude of spots where you will for sure catch beautiful fish.

Fishing in the Radama archipelago
The Radama Archipelago is a true fishing paradise in Madagascar, located on the edge of the Mozambique canal. It is about three hours south of Nosy Be. It is out of reach of any industrial fishing spots, and you will be able to discover exceptional spots for your fishing trip.

Diving with Turtles & Rays in Madagascar
Madagascar is located on the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia, and evokes feelings of discovery and adventure because of its rich and endemic biodiversity. There are many spots that are perfect for your next trip. The main ones are those in the area of Nosy Be, which offer sites of high quality diving. This is a golden opportunity to swim among turtles, stringrays or manta rays.

An exceptional marine biodiversity
The marine biodiversity is exceptional. There is an extraordinary profusion of varieties of fish. Many diving centers in Madagascar will welcome you for your outings so you can meet marine animals that live in these waters: coral fish, sea turtles, and even large cetaceans. You won’t ergret your diving trip.

Beginners can practice snorkeling in the shallow waters of Nosy Be and Tulear. Come and admire the underwater fauna that hide in the small rocks or the colorful corals of the seaside.

THE GORGONIAN FOREST (13-20 M)
The Gorgonian Forest is one of the most beautiful diving sites in Madagascar, and you absolutely have to dive it. You can observe this field full of gigantic gorgonian and marine animals of all kinds, in an exceptional atmosphere.

The Wrecks (26-30 m)
Live a magical diving experience while visiting four shipwrecks of small and medium sizes, covered with corals and hosting thousands of fish : big groupers, stingrays, guitar rays, bat fishes, etc.

Shark Point (18-50 m)
Off the coasts of Nosy Be, you will be able to observe reef sharks, such as whale sharks, black-tailed sharks, grey sharks, and hammered sharks, with an often better visibility than in other diving sites. This is a unique experience that you must not miss for your next trip.