ANDOANY (HELL-VILLE), NOSY-BE, MADAGASCAR

Nosy Be is an island situated off Madagascar’s north western coast that’s known for its unique and rare land and marine life. Andony (formerly known as Hell-Ville), is the small capital city with docking facilities that accommodate cruise ship tender boats, and your gateway to exciting travel experiences.

 Andony itself doesn’t have much in the way sites. But it does have a central market as well as local shops and restaurants that offer a taste of the Malagasy culture. The real draw of Nosy Be, however, are the wildlife spotting opportunities across the archipelago.

 The Lakobe Nature Preserve is the primary forest in the region, and it’s the perfect place to see endemic lemurs, bats, reptiles, and birds in their natural habitat. For a chance to spot the rare black lemur, consider taking a trip to the nearby island Nosy Komba. (Note that the “sanctuary” is more akin to a natural zoo- there are turtles, tortoises, and snakes in confined areas, and while the black lemurs are free to roam, tour guides encourage them to come close to sit on your shoulder for photos.) If you want to see the iconic ring tailed lemur, then Move It Move It to Lemuria Land—a zoological park surrounded by ylang ylang plantations.

 The land life on Nosy Be is buzzing, but the marine life is just as spectacular. The extensive coral beds surrounding the different islands are teeming with all types of animals that attract divers and snorkelers from around the world. Nosy Tanikely, a small uninhabited island, is particularly famous for its unmarred beauty and frequent sea turtle spottings. Depending on the season, there are opportunities to swim with whale sharks, search for dolphins, and go on humpback whale watching tours.

Madagascar is a bucket list destination— be sure to walk off the gangway with a plan to ensure you make the most of your day.