Antsiranana cruise: Tsingy Rouges, Amber Mountain & lagoons

One port stop, five completely different Madagascar experiences to pick from

Tailor-made shore excursions in Antsiranana for cruise passengers, each adapted to ship schedules with guaranteed return. Choose between Tsingy Rouges' red rock formations, Amber Mountain's rainforest and lemurs, Emerald Sea's snorkeling lagoon, Three Bays' wild beaches, or a tuk-tuk city tour. Private transport, water and a live guide in English or French are included. All excursions fit between port calls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Excursion in Diego Suarez area

• Choose one excursion option
• Visit Tsingy Rouges rock formations
• Explore Amber Mountain rainforest
• Walk Three Bays and Ramena beaches
• Snorkel and lunch at Emerald Sea
• Take Tuk-tuk city tour

The experience

Antsiranana, Diego Suarez, sits at the tip of Madagascar's north, and a cruise stopover gives you time for one real excursion, not a rushed highlight reel. The operator builds each outing around what the port schedule allows: some run a full day, others finish in four or five hours, all with guaranteed return to the ship. You pick the one that matches what you want to see, and the guide and transport show up ready to move at the pace the itinerary sets.

Tsingy Rouges takes you to red rock formations found nowhere else on earth. The walking is easy, the 4x4 ride gets you there. Amber Mountain swings the other way: a moderate hike through rainforest where you'll spot lemurs and chameleons, with waterfalls breaking the canopy. Emerald Sea is a full-day boat trip to a lagoon with snorkeling and lunch cooked on an island. Three Bays and Ramena string together wild beaches and a fishing village on foot. The tuk-tuk city tour stays in town, moving through the market and up to the viewpoints. Only one per group, depending on what's open and what the weather allows that day.

Private transportation picks you up at the port; one bottle of water travels with you; entry fees and the guide's knowledge of each site are built in. The guide speaks English or French. A moderate level of fitness handles most of these: Tsingy and Three Bays are the easiest walks, Amber Mountain asks more of your legs. Wheelchairs and strollers are accommodated, and the transport itself is accessible.

What’s included

• Private transportation from the port to your chosen site.
• one bottle of water per person.
• entry fees to all attractions on the excursion.
• guidance from a live English or French-speaking guide.

Options for this experience

7 options

TUKTUK City ToursUp to 15 people · Guide in English or French · 19 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 17:00City tour: departing from the port, visiting emblematic sites, a local and craft walk, and shopping. Tuktuk, pickup included.

Ramena BeachUp to 15 people · Guide in English or French · 16 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Ramena: leaving from the port, passing the Sugar Loaf and the French Mountain, then a relaxing break in Ramena. Includes pickup.

Emerald SeaUp to 15 people · Guide in English or French · 9 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 10:30Emerald Sea: setting off from Diego on a traditional dhow and relaxing at the Emerald Sea. Seafood meals are free. Pickup is included.

See 4 more options

The French MountainUp to 15 people · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Mountain of the French: a mountain hiking circuit A to discover Madagascar's baobabs. Duration 2 hours. Pickup is included.

Three Bays and the BaobabUp to 15 people · Guide in English or French · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Baobabs and the Three Bays: the Bay of Sakalavas, the Bay of Dunes, the Bay of Pigeons, a passage to Ramena, and a stop in front of the Sugar Loaf. Pickup is included.

Red TsingyUp to 15 people · Guide in English or French · 6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:00Antsiranana to the Red Tsingy: from the port, heading to the Red Tsingys to explore the Tsingy forest and canyons (5 hours).

Mountain of AmberUp to 5 people · Guide in English or French · 14 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 14:00Mountain of Amber: leaving from the port, visit the national park with its waterfalls, lemurs, endemic trees and more. Pickup 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 day22 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 17:00

AgesUp to age 80

GroupUp to 300

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by North Gascar Tours

Is this one for you?Pick the excursion that matches your energy level and what you want to see: Tsingy Rouges and Three Bays work for easy walking; Amber Mountain suits hikers comfortable with moderate effort; Emerald Sea is the full-day option if you want snorkeling and time on the water; the tuk-tuk tour keeps you in the city. All return to the ship on time, so you can book without watching the clock.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What is Tsingy Rouges and why is it worth the 4x4 ride?

Tsingy Rouges is a landscape of sharp red rock formations unique to this corner of Madagascar, carved by water over millennia into a maze of narrow ridges and canyons. The 4x4 takes you into terrain a regular car cannot reach. The walking itself is easy, letting you move through the formations and photograph them up close without scrambling or technical climbing.

Can I snorkel on the Emerald Sea excursion, and what's included in the island lunch?

Emerald Sea is a full-day boat trip to a paradise lagoon where snorkeling is the main event. Lunch is prepared and served on the island itself. The operator includes it as part of the excursion, though the specific menu depends on the day's catch and what the kitchen has on hand.

How long does each excursion take, and will I make it back to the ship in time?

Excursions range from around one hour to a full six hours, depending on which one you choose. The operator times every departure and return to the cruise schedule: return to the ship is guaranteed, which means you're never stranded if the outing runs long.

Is the tuk-tuk city tour suitable if I don't want to hike or be on a boat?

Yes. The tuk-tuk city tour stays in Antsiranana town, moving through the market, past local landmarks and up to viewpoints overlooking the bays. It's an easy walk on city streets and involves no hiking, water activities or rough terrain.