Diving and sailing in the Mitsio Archipelago
Navigation and diving in the preserved Mitsio archipelago aboard an authentic Malagasy schooner.
Duration
6 days
From
€1,680/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Navigation & Cruises
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, Honeymoon
The spirit of travel
The sails of the schooner Nofy Be billow facing the secret islets of the Mitsio, a confidential archipelago north of Nosy Be. On the teak deck, the Vezo crew adjusts the rigging while the turquoise waters already reveal the first coral reefs. At each anchorage, a new playground opens up: the translucent lagoons of Nosy Tsarabanjina, the basalt pipes of Grand Mitsio, the sculpted arches of Nosy Sakatia.
Fourteen dives punctuate this marine week, from the slopes of the Whale Reef to the coral gardens of Nosy Tanikely. Green sea turtles, angelfish and schools of jacks swim in this preserved natural reserve of the Mozambique Channel. The Vezo sailors share their ancestral knowledge of these waters, their traditional fishing techniques, while the Sakalava villages welcome visitors on their white sand beaches.
This cruise is part of the Malagasy maritime tradition, where navigation and diving blend with the rhythm of the tides and trade winds. An experience that reveals Madagascar in its most authentic and preserved light.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Nosy Be and free day
Boarding the Nofy Be, towards Nosy Tanikely Marine Park and Grand Mitsio Sud
We set out early in the morning from the Crater of Nosy Be for a week of sailing and scuba diving aboard the magnificent Schooner Nofy Be, or "Grand Rêve". Accompanied by a cheerful crew of Vezo sailors, we sail towards our first stop, the Nosy Tanikely marine park.
Here, we stop for an initial one-hour dive, at 23 meters depth, on the coral slope.
We then resume our sailing towards Grand Mitsio Sud, or Antsoha, where we spend the night on board at anchor.
Navigation and diving around Grand Mitsio, Basalt Organs and Maribe Bay
Departure for 1h30 of smooth and peaceful navigation towards the Whale Reef, where we dive to 25 m for one hour. Continuation towards the Sugarloaf for a second dive.
We then set sail towards the South West of the island, to admire the stunning basalt organ pipes.
Walk on the island and visit to the fishing village.
We spend the night in the peaceful bay of Maribe.
3 days along the water: Nosy Lava, Nosy Tsarabanjina and Nosy Sakatia
We continue our cruise at the tranquil pace of water, winds and tides. Our itinerary is not fixed and can evolve according to the weather and our desires of the moment. Over these three days, we alternate between diving, swimming, sailing and island exploration.
We discover exceptional underwater flora and fauna, a welcoming population, and experience unforgettable moments in these beautiful travel atmospheres. We sail around Nosy Lava and Nosy Tsarabanjina, and dive at different sites such as Banc du Castor or la Dive. We continue our journey to Nosy Sakatia.
Last day on board: Nosy Sakatia to Nosy Be
We set out for one last day on board, heading towards the Sakatia Arch. A 45-minute dive at 28 metres depth on this exceptional site, before searching for whale sharks (depending on the season) and other large fish, marine mammals and cetaceans.
We dive one last time at 22 metres at the Entrance Bank.
Finally, the sails are raised and we sail gently towards Nosy Be, where this beautiful adventure comes to an end.
Airport transfer and return flight
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Breakfast and lunch on D1, and lunch and dinner on D9
- Activities not mentioned in the program
- Additional dives (contact us)
- Single room supplement in hotels in Nosy Be: 100 EUR per person (50 €)
- Tips, drinks and personal expenses
- Cancellation insurance, repatriation and first aid expenses
- Visa fees and territorial exit tax
Included
- Airport reception at Nosy Be Fascene by the Détours Madagascar team
- The 7-day / 6-night cruise aboard the Nofy Be with full board (mineral water, tea and coffee included)
- Accommodation aboard the Nofy Be in bunk beds during the cruise
- Double/twin room accommodation in Nosy Be with half board
- 14 dives during the cruise aboard the Nofy Be, equipment included
- The activities and visits as indicated in the itinerary
- All transfers
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
More than 60 days before departure: 30% of the total price (deposit retained)
Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Your Passport:
Important: your passport must be valid. It must be mandatory and obligatorily valid for 6 months after the end of your stay in Madagascar.
Your travel documents
Your valid passport,
Your international and/or domestic flight tickets,
Your repatriation insurance/first aid expenses contract, -
Your vaccination record, not mandatory,
Your blood group card if possible.
Obtaining a visa to enter Malagasy territory
Upon arrival in the territory:
The visa cost is €35 for a stay of less than 30 days.
It is easily obtained upon your arrival in Malagasy territory.
This applies to all airports in Madagascar that receive international flights.
Upon arrival in the terminal, upon exiting the plane, a corridor for passengers is dedicated to issuing tourist visas.
This procedure is the simplest. We recommend it to you.
From the embassies and consulates of your countries of origin:
For information, download the document explaining the procedure and the constitution of the file for obtaining a visa from the Madagascar embassy.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed to enjoy your trip with peace of mind!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and procedures for claiming any loss are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for declaring any loss. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required, issued upon arrival at Ivato Airport (Antananarivo) or online (e-visa). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Before booking your trip, check with Madagascar's consular authorities for the conditions applicable to your nationality, including visa fees and authorized lengths of stay.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, expect between 160 and 270 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (900-1400 euros return) are additional. Long transfers and domestic flights represent a significant portion of the budget.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to suit your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) protection, which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Nosy Be and Islands
Ambassador of Malagasy fihavanana, based in Antananarivo
For me, traveling to Madagascar is stepping into the spirit of fihavanana: sharing, helping one another, meeting people, and taking time to understand what connects them to their land.
— Noro
