Nosy Be
A sea-focused trip to northwest Madagascar, with beaches, reefs and rainforest on one island.
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Nosy Be is an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean. Visitors reach it by air through Fascene airport or by boat from the mainland. Hell-Ville, the main town, is where you will find the market, banks and the ferry area. Beaches, coral reefs and small villages make up most of the rest of the island, and ylang-ylang is grown on local plantations for perfume.
The island suits a sea-focused trip: swimming, snorkeling, diving and unhurried days on the beach, with boat outings to nearby islands. Lokobe, a protected forest reserve on the southwest side, is the main place for black lemurs and forest walks, and it is best visited with a guide. The dry season, roughly May to October, is the most comfortable time to visit. Cyclone risk is highest from about January to March.
Nosy Be in five
- Carry ariary cash for the islandsCard payment is limited outside larger hotels, so carry ariary for guesthouses, boat operators and markets. Withdraw cash in Hell-Ville and keep small notes for boats, guides and tips.Money and costs
- Fly into Fascene airport on Nosy BeThe island's airport is Fascene (NOS). Flights from Antananarivo are one air link. Check schedules before you book, since they change.Getting around
- Ask a travel clinic about malariaMalaria is present in Madagascar, including Nosy Be. Ask a clinic which prevention suits your dates, and use repellent from dusk onward.
- Set up mobile data before you landMobile signal can be patchy on day trips, so download offline maps before you leave. Arrange a SIM or eSIM before you travel.Phones and eSIM
- Buy insurance that covers boat tripsBoat trips to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely carry the main risks of a fall, a missed return or a medical transfer. Check that the policy names boat trips.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Malagasy ariary (MGA)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on your passport; check with the Malagasy embassy before booking
- Emergency
- Ask your hotel or insurer for local emergency numbers before you travel
- Tipping
- Small tips appreciated, not required
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy season
- FebruaryCyclone season
- MarchRains easing
- AprilDry season starts
- MayDry, warm
- JuneDry, cooler
- JulyDry, breezy
- AugustDry, calm seas
- SeptemberDry, hot
- OctoberHot, humid
- NovemberHeat builds
- DecemberRains start
Right now in Nosy Be
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 73%
Nosy Be
02:23 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°24°73%Tuesday: Rain. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Wed30°24°92%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Thu30°24°90%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri30°24°80%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sat30°24°39%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun32°25°47%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 01:18 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4,589 MGA
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Nosy Kombaby boatBlack lemurs, a small village and a viewpoint over the bay.
- Nosy Tanikelyby boatA small marine reserve for snorkeling. Do not touch the coral.
- Lokobe reserveby road, then a walkA forest reserve on Nosy Be with lemurs. Go with a guide.
Before you go to Nosy Be
Rules for Nosy Be, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport with the Malagasy embassy or consulate before you book flights.
- Do not touch or take coral, shells or sand from marine reserves such as Nosy Tanikely.
- Do not feed or handle lemurs on Nosy Komba or in Lokobe; keep food and bags out of reach.
- Carry small ariary notes for boats, markets and tips; small sellers may not have change for large notes.
Plan around Nosy Be
Regions, entry, transport and money for a Madagascar trip
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights to Fascene, boats to the islands and car hire
Read the guideMoney and costsWhere cards work, what cash to carry and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryWhat your passport needs before you book flights
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in Hell-Ville and on the beaches
Read the guideTours and boat tripsDay boats to the islands and guided lemur visits
Read the guideNosy Be FAQ
Is Nosy Be worth visiting?
Yes for beach days, boat trips and lemurs.
How do you get to Nosy Be?
Fly into Fascene airport (NOS), with flights from Antananarivo, or come by boat from the mainland. Check airline and boat times before you book, since they change.
Do you need cash on Nosy Be?
Yes. Carry ariary for small purchases, boats and guides. Card payment is limited outside larger hotels, so withdraw cash in Hell-Ville before you head to the beaches.
Is malaria a risk on Nosy Be?
Malaria is present in Madagascar, including Nosy Be. Ask a travel clinic about prevention before you travel and use repellent after dusk.
When is the best time to visit Nosy Be?
June to September is the core dry season and the best window for boats and beaches. November to March brings more rain, and cyclone risk is highest from January to March, with rougher seas for boats.
Are the lemurs on Nosy Komba wild?
Black lemurs live on Nosy Komba and are often seen near the village. Do not feed them, and keep food and bags out of their reach.