Radama Archipelago

Made up of four islets, the Radama Archipelago lies 60 km from Nosy Be, in the Mozambique Channel. Surrounded by crystalline waters, this realm reveals itself as a corner of paradise you'll find yourself instantly drawn to.

Authentic villages

Just south of the Ampasindava Peninsula, a string of headlands stages a ballet of pirogues, dhows and schooners, moving in rhythm with successive waves. Nosy Kalakajoro and Antanimora are simply breathtaking. The beaches fade into turquoise seas that beckon you to dive in. The archipelago's inhabitants are heirs to an ancestral tradition of maritime carpentry. They've built small picturesque villages and make their living from fishing sea cucumbers and sharks, whose fins are especially prized across Asia.

At the mercy of the winds

Berafia once sheltered export crops such as ylang-ylang and coffee. The authenticity of the archipelago's largest island lingers in the few vestiges that remain—an old colonial house, a defunct store and an aging tractor. Life here is dictated by the trade wind. This east-to-west breeze sets the pace for dhows and pirogues heading out to sea. At Berafia, fishermen leave the village early in the morning with the Varatraza, the eastern trade wind, returning only in the evening with the "Talio," a westerly wind that picks up in the afternoon.

A diver's paradise

Nosy Saba sits at the archipelago's southernmost point. It stands out for its more limestone-based character rather than sandy shores. The brilliant white of its beaches will dazzle you, as will the beauty of its coral seabeds. The water is so transparent that you can spot underwater treasures without even needing a mask. Diving enthusiasts will undoubtedly relish this adventure.