2-day snorkeling Nosy Hara from Diego Suarez: Overnight bivouac

You camp on an island, not visit it for the day.

A 2-day snorkeling tour from Diego Suarez to the Nosy Hara archipelago in Madagascar, with overnight bivouac on the largest island. Day one crosses wild tracks to Ampasindava, then boats to the islands for snorkeling and a sunset from the ridge overlooking Windsor Castle and Amber Mountain. Day two offers snorkeling on site or a 3km hike through baobabs and grey tsingy before the return to Diego Suarez.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and explore Nosy Hara

• Check-out from Diego Suarez in private 4x4
• Drive towards Canal de Mozambique via Namakia village
• Join boat in Ampasindava
• Visit islands and snorkel
• Lunch at beach edge
• Reach largest island of archipelago
• Tour vantage point to see landmarks
• Descend to camp and enjoy beach
• Watch panoramic sunset
• Overnight in subtent and dinner

Day 2: Snorkelling and hiking in Nosy Hara

• Snorkelling on site or 3km hike
• Explore baobabs, grey tsingy, and cave
• Lunch on site
• Return to Diego Suarez

The experience

The route leaves Diego Suarez by private 4x4 across untracked terrain toward the Canal de Mozambique, passing through the village of Namakia and Madagascar's salt ponds before reaching the boat in Ampasindava. From there, you island-hop by boat around the archipelago, snorkeling at multiple stops and eating lunch on the beach before landing on the largest island of Nosy Hara. The afternoon is spent on a ridge walk with views of Windsor Castle and Amber Mountain silhouetted against the sunset, then you descend to the camp for dinner and an overnight stay in a tent.

Day two gives you a choice: snorkel the waters around the island or hike inland for 3km through baobabs and grey tsingy rock formations, including a cave. Lunch happens on site before the boat returns you to Ampasindava and the 4x4 takes you back to Diego Suarez. A live guide speaks English, Italian or French throughout, and the operator arranges pickup from your Diego Suarez hotel.

What’s included

• Private 4x4 transport from Diego Suarez to Ampasindava.
• boat transport around the islands.
• snorkeling at multiple stops.
• overnight tent accommodation on Nosy Hara.
• dinner and breakfast.
• live guide in English, Italian or French.

Options for this experience

2 options

Day trip to Nosy HaraGuide in English, French or Italian · 07:00 and 07:30Duration: 1 day; pickup is included

Bivouac excursions to Nosy Hara in English07:30Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 07:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by North Gascar Tours

Is this one for you?The overnight camp is what makes the sunset and the ridge walk possible, and it's also what separates this from the day-trip version. You're not rushing back the same afternoon. Choose this if you want the full arc of the archipelago and don't mind sleeping in a tent.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the snorkeling like around Nosy Hara?

The archipelago is a protected and preserved area, so the reefs and marine life remain intact. You snorkel at multiple stops on day one and have the option to return to the water on day two, depending on conditions and your preference.

Can I hike instead of snorkeling on day two?

Yes. The 3km inland hike takes you through baobabs and grey tsingy formations to a cave, so you can choose based on what appeals to you that morning.

What's included in the meals?

Dinner on day one and breakfast on day two are provided at the camp. Lunch happens on the beach on day one before you reach the island.

How do I get from Diego Suarez to the boat?

A private 4x4 picks you up in Diego Suarez and drives across wild tracks to Ampasindava, where you board the boat for the islands. The return follows the same route on day two afternoon.