Diana Region dive sites

Nosy Iranja is reached by boat from Nosy Be, Madagascar's main tourist island, with the journey taking approximately one to one and a half hours depending on sea conditions and vessel speed. Most dive operators based on Nosy Be offer day trips that combine diving with beach time on the famous sandbar. Some operators offer multi-day camping or lodge-based trips on the island for extended diving. There is a small eco-lodge on the larger island, Nosy Iranja Be, though facilities are basic. The boat crossing can be rough during the transition months, and operators monitor conditions daily.

Hawksbill turtles nest on the beaches of Nosy Iranja primarily between October and February, with peak activity in November and December. During this period, female turtles haul out onto the sandy beaches at night to lay their eggs. Divers visiting during the nesting season may encounter adult females on the reef approaching or departing from nesting beaches. The smaller island, Nosy Iranja Kely, is a designated turtle nesting sanctuary with restricted access during the nesting season. Conservation programmes monitor nesting activity and protect nests from predation.

Nosy Iranja's reefs are in significantly better condition than many mainland Madagascar reef systems, which have suffered from dynamite fishing, sedimentation from deforestation, and overfishing. The island's distance from the mainland and from major fishing communities has provided some natural protection. However, the reefs are not immune to broader threats including warming-related coral bleaching and occasional illegal fishing incursions. Local conservation efforts supported by Nosy Be dive operators and NGOs are working to maintain reef health and establish effective community-based management of the surrounding waters.

Nosy Tanikely is a small marine reserve with a designated snorkelling and shallow diving area, while Nosy Komba offers deeper reef dives on volcanic slopes that descend to twenty-eight metres and beyond. Nosy Komba's reefs are less visited, with more varied topography and a greater chance of encountering pelagic visitors. The coral coverage on Nosy Komba tends to be healthier on the deeper sections due to less snorkeller traffic. Many operators combine both islands in a full-day diving trip.

Nosy Komba sits between Nosy Be and the Madagascar mainland, about a twenty-minute boat ride from Hell-Ville on Nosy Be. Most divers base themselves on Nosy Be, which has an international airport with connections from Antananarivo, Reunion, and Mayotte. Dive operators on Nosy Be include Nosy Komba reef sites in their regular rotation. It is also possible to stay on Nosy Komba itself in small guesthouses, though dive infrastructure is more limited there.