DIVING IN MADAGASCAR
Off the southeast coast of Africa lies the fourth largest island on the planet, famous for being home to one of the longest coral reef chains in the world. Madagascar is an underwater paradise where you can find more than 300 types of coral, in all kinds of amazing shapes and colours.
The water that surrounds the “Great Red Island” hide a landscape as exotic as the one that unfolds above the sea, the habitat of 56 types of sharks and close to 1,300 species of bony fish. You will be able to explore its caves, get close to an old fishing trawler that has sunk into the depths, and dive down an imposing 20-metre canyon right next to the continental shelf.
Where to dive
An ocean full of life
Off the southeast coast of Africa lies the fourth largest island on the planet, famous for being home to one of the longest coral reef chains in the world. Madagascar is an underwater paradise where you can find more than 300 types of coral, in all kinds of amazing shapes and colours.
Beneath Madagascar’s crystal-clear water lies an impressive aquatic forest inhabited by a wide variety of marine species, from the robust groupers and the peculiar scorpionfish to the colourful clownfish and surgeonfish. Immerse yourself in its depths and get ready to join the intricate dance of the enormous schools of fusiliers, snappers and barracudas.
Best diving season in Madagascar runs from May to December, when cyclone season ends and visibility can reach 30 metres. The migration season begins in August, so if you want to have a whale-watching excursion with the humpback whales, the best months to visit are from August to October. If you prefer to swim with whale sharks, you will have to choose the months of October and November.
Vibrant life in the reef
Scuba diving in Madagascar is like opening a window to a whole new wonderful world. In every dive site near Tsarabanjina, you can explore an endless coral reef, the natural habitat of angelfish and lobster. Or, equipped with an underwater torch, try the thrill of a dive after sunset to admire the nocturnal species hunting.
Finding Macro
For underwater photographers who love tiny creatures that populate the ocean, the seabed offers a multitude of "critters" such as multicoloured nudibranchs, pipefish, ribbon eel, shrimps and scorpion leaf fish.
Encounter the giants
Comfortably seated in the boat you can see the majestic humpback whales, present every year in the area around the Mitsio archipelago during their migration to the north. In October, they give way to the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, which finds in the Malagasy waters one of the world’s hot spots for its sighting.
Dreamy landscapes
Impressive marine diversity and an environment of incomparable beauty have turned the area mourned Tsarabanjina into one of the best dive sites in Madagascar, and the area surrounding the Mitsio Archipelago will not disappoint you either. With an average water temperature between 26 and 28°C, the conditions are perfect for exploring the secrets of the Indian Ocean at a relaxed pace.
From the impressive coral formations to the gorgonian forests, the abrupt arches and the incredible plateaus, everything you see melds harmoniously on a giant canvas that can amaze and seduce even the most experienced divers.
Dive among Baobab
Get ready to be surprised! Among the Four Brothers hides a unique marine landscape: a prairie of purple alcyonarians, also known as "underwater baobab" next to a wall encrusted with sponges and corals of all colors. Immerse yourself in this underwater paradise strewn with delicate anemones and hard and soft corals, with incredible shapes and indescribable colors.
Go explore the depths
If you love deep diving, Beaver Bench is your ideal place. Wear the fins and tank, and dive into the fall of the Mozambique channel, covered with gorgonians, which starts from 12 meters deep and sinks over 50. You will not be alone: to accompany you there will be yellowfin tuna, carangidi and pelagic fish in general.
Les Quatre Frères
In front of Tsarabanjina, there are four basalt rocks that rise up to 90 metres, then plummet deep down into the ocean. When you dive down, you will find caves, deep cliffs and impressive rock formations where unicorn fish and lobsters live. If you dive at dusk, you will witness a spectacular sunset.
We want your diving holidays in Madagascar to be simply perfect. Get in contact with us and we will be happy to help you and design a custom Madagascar diving package, tailor-made just for you.