Advanced Diving in Madagascar

Separated from mainland evolution, Madagascar – one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world – has evolved into a world upon itself. Today, this isolated island hosts an astonishing array of flora and fauna, from over 100 species of lemur to baobabs, lush rainforests and mangroves. The reefs are equally diverse, with over 30 species of whale and dolphin, five species of turtle, 56 shark spe-cies and well over a thousand species of reef fish. The northern tip of Madagascar, specifically the Nosy Be Archipelago, offers the best diving, with underwater pinnacles, shallow coral gardens, walls and muck sites abound. While the reefs can be enjoyed by all diving levels, if you’re looking to expe-rience more advanced diving in Madagascar, plan your trip to coincide with a full or new moon when the currents push through the channel with the most force...

The Gran Banc Exterior (The Big Outside Bank)

Located at the top end of the Mozambique Channel, the Nosy Be Archipelago is one of the best places to experience advanced diving in Madagascar, with thrilling currents and plentiful pelagic action. If you're a shark aficionado, sink your fins into The Gran Banc Exterior, otherwise known as The Big Outside Bank. Reaching a maximum depth of 20 metres, this open-water site features a large drop-off and requires good buoyancy control and air consumption. The diving here is a little trickier than Nosy Be's other sites, but the rewards include grey and white tip reef sharks, and, if you're lucky, hammerhead.

Greg Wall

The Radama Archipelago comprises four islands on the edge of the Mozambique Channel: Nosy Kalakajoro, Nosy Ovy, Nosy Antany Mora and Nosy Valiha. When it comes to advanced diving in Madagascar, Nosy Kalakajoro is home to one of the area's best-loved dives, Greg Wall.

Plunging from the reef plateau at 13 metres to the depths below, Greg Wall is a great place for deep diving as below 30 metres, the wall is festooned with vivid gorgonians. Peel your eyes away from the reef and you might even spot a whale shark or manta passing by. Insider tip: take a torch as there are also a few caves to explore at depth.

Mitsio Wreck

Another site in Nosy Be, the Mitsio Wreck was scuttled in 2007 and is now a haven for a plethora of marine fauna. The former trawler rests at 30 metres and wreck lovers can look for morays, scorpionfish, batfish, trunkfish, frogfish, nudibranchs and crocodilefish hiding in the vessel's nooks and crannies. For many it's a must-dive when in Nosy Be, and if you're suitably experienced, is also a fantastic night dive.

Our team of dive travel specialists are on hand to help you plan your perfect Madagascan itinerary. Depending on the time of year, you can enjoy the best of the advanced diving in Madagascar alongside humpback whales (June to September) or whale sharks (September to December).