Nosy Tanikely

Nosy Be · Diana · Madagascar

Nosy Tanikely is a small, uninhabited island and marine national park located a short boat ride southwest of Nosy Be, Madagascar's premier beach and diving destination. This protected islet, barely a few hundred metres across, is surrounded by coral reefs that have benefited enormously from their protected status, creating one of the healthiest and most visually stunning dive sites in the Mozambique Channel. The diving at Nosy Tanikely begins in the shallows, where large trevallies hunt in just four metres of water, setting an energetic tone for the descent. As the reef slopes down to 13-15 metres, the most rewarding zone unfolds: enormous gorgonian sea fans, some reaching over two metres in height, stretch their latticed branches into the current, creating a dramatic underwater forest. Black coral colonies add dark contrast, while the hard coral framework supports dense populations of tropical fish, from surgeonfish and angelfish to groups of curious batfish. The island's signature residents are its hawksbill turtles. So numerous are these gentle creatures that encountering multiple individuals on a single dive is the norm rather than the exception. They feed on sponges growing on the reef, resting on sandy ledges between meals, utterly unconcerned by the presence of divers. Leopard sharks, also known as zebra sharks, rest on the sandy bottom in the deeper sections, while white-tip reef sharks occasionally glide past the reef edge. Lobsters peek from crevices, moray eels extend from their holes, and lionfish hover beneath overhangs. Dive depths at Nosy Tanikely range from 5 to 23 metres, making the site accessible to divers of all certification levels. Visibility varies from 10 to 20 metres depending on the season and tidal conditions, with the clearest water typically during the dry season from April to November. Water temperatures range from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. The boat ride from Nosy Be takes approximately 30 minutes. For those combining a Madagascar wildlife experience with diving, Nosy Tanikely demonstrates that this extraordinary island nation's biodiversity is every bit as remarkable below the waterline as it is above.