6-day diving in Northern Madagascar: Diego Suarez to Ankify

Emerald Sea, Red Tsingy, and a rainforest full of lemurs in six days

A 6-day guided tour through Northern Madagascar from Diego Suarez to Ankify, combining boat excursions to coral reefs and secluded islands with inland hikes through Montagne d'Ambre rainforest and the Red Tsingy's sculpted limestone canyons. You snorkel tropical fish and sea turtles, walk suspension bridges over Tsingy formations, and observe endemic lemurs and birds. A live guide in English, Italian or French leads the route, with transport, five nights' accommodation and most meals included. Day 1 meals and all dinners in Diego Suarez are a choice at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and city tour

• Transfer from airport to Pension Allamanda
• View Diego Bay
• Visit monuments and local point of sale
• Free time at seaside

Day 2: Emerald Sea and Trois Baies

• Boat check-out from inn
• Pass fishing village Ramena
• Navigate to Emerald Sea lagoon
• Picnic lunch on Suarez islet
• Snorkel and swim at Emerald Sea
• Afternoon excursion to Les Trois Baies
• Return to Diego Suarez

Day 3: Nosy Hara archipelago excursion

• Check-out at 7am to Ampasindava Bay
• Boat to Nosy Hara archipelago
• Observe karst rock formations
• Snorkel coral and marine wildlife
• Relax on secluded beaches
• Return to Diego Suarez

Day 4: Montagne d’Ambre and Red Tsingy

• Morning check-out to Montagne d’Ambre National Park
• Explore rainforest, waterfalls, crater lakes
• Observe lemurs, chameleons, birds
• Lunch at Relais de la Montagne d'Ambre
• Continue to Red Tsingy formations
• Overnight at Red Tsingy Camp

Day 5: Ankarana National Park hiking

• Travel to Ankarana National Park
• Hike limestone Tsingy: canyons, caves, bridges
• Observe lemurs, rare birds, bats
• Use suspension bridge
• Overnight at Kozobe Lodge

Day 6: Millot plantation and Ankify transfer

• Panoramic route through villages and plantations
• Visit Millot Plantation
• Arrive at Ankify port
• End of tour or continuation

The experience

The tour starts with airport pickup to Pension Allamanda in Diego Suarez, where you spend the first night overlooking Diego Bay. Day 2 takes you by boat through the fishing village of Ramena into the Emerald Sea. A shallow turquoise lagoon where you snorkel coral and watch tropical fish, then picnic on Suarez islet before the afternoon excursion to Les Trois Baies: the Bay of Dunes with its wild beach, Baie des Pigeons for swimming, and the Bay of Sakalava, known for kitesurfing and seascapes.

Day 3 heads out at 7am by boat to the preserved archipelago of Nosy Hara, where karst rock formations rise from the water and you snorkel the coral, swim with sea turtles and tropical fish, then relax on secluded beaches before returning to Diego Suarez. Day 4 shifts inland to Parc National de la Montagne d'Ambre (a lush rainforest with cascades and crater lakes where you observe lemurs, chameleons and endemic birds), then continues to the Red Tsingy, unique natural formations carved by erosion, where you overnight at Red Tsingy Camp surrounded by the landscape.

Day 5 takes you into Ankarana National Park for a hike through limestone Tsingy: canyons, caves, suspension bridges and underground rivers, with chances to spot lemurs, rare birds and bats. You stay at Kozobe Lodge in the heart of the region. On Day 6, a panoramic route passes through typical villages and plantations of cocoa, coffee and vanilla, with a visit to Millot Plantation before arrival at Ankify port, where the tour ends or continues according to your plans.

What’s included

• Airport transfer to your pension on Day 1.
• five nights' accommodation at Pension Allamanda (Diego Suarez), Red Tsingy Camp and Kozobe Lodge.
• boat excursions to the Emerald Sea, Trois Baies, Nosy Hara and Ankarana.
• snorkeling gear and access to coral reefs and tropical fish.
• hikes through Montagne d'Ambre rainforest, Red Tsingy formations and Ankarana National Park with suspension bridges.
• a live guide in English, Italian or French.
• most meals from Day 2 lunch through Day 6 lunch (Day 1 meals and all dinners in Diego Suarez are optional at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Ankify, starting from Diego Suarez, over 6 daysGuide in English, French or Italian · 31 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 21:00Pickup is included

Eight days, from Diego Suarez to AnkifyGuide in English, French or Italian · 31 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 21:00Mountain of French Bay, Antalaha, includes pickup

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 day31 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 21:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 18 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

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by North Gascar Tours

Is this one for you?The 6-day itinerary fits travelers who want the core route (emerald lagoons, rainforest and Tsingy) without the extra time in Diego Suarez that the 8-day option adds. Choose it if you have a week and want to move through the highlights, or pick the 8-day if you prefer a slower pace or want more time in the coastal city.

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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 difference between the 6-day and 8-day versions of this route?

The 6-day tour runs from Diego Suarez to Ankify and covers the Emerald Sea, Trois Baies, Nosy Hara, Montagne d'Ambre, Red Tsingy and Ankarana. The 8-day option adds extra time in Diego Suarez and extends the inland sections. You choose at checkout which fits your schedule.

Do I need diving certification to snorkel on this tour?

Snorkeling requires no certification. You observe coral reefs and tropical fish from the surface. The tour includes snorkeling at the Emerald Sea, Nosy Hara and Trois Baies. A guide leads the water activities and you can sit out any you prefer.

What are the Red Tsingy and why do people hike them?

The Red Tsingy are limestone formations sculpted by erosion into sharp, jagged peaks and canyons unique to Northern Madagascar. You hike through them on Day 4 to see the geological formations up close and overnight at Red Tsingy Camp. On Day 5 you explore Ankarana National Park's Tsingy with suspension bridges and underground rivers.

Which meals are included and which aren't?

Transport, accommodation and most meals are included across the six days. Day 1 meals in Diego Suarez and all dinners there are optional at checkout, so you can choose whether to add them depending on your arrival time and preferences.

What animals will I actually see on this tour?

Lemurs, chameleons and endemic birds appear in Montagne d'Ambre rainforest and Ankarana National Park. Sea turtles, tropical fish and coral are visible while snorkeling at the Emerald Sea and Nosy Hara. Bats inhabit the caves in Ankarana, and you may spot them during the hike.