Nosy Be Island

Nosy Be is a warm, hilly island off the northwest coast of Madagascar, known locally as the "Perfume Island" for its ylang-ylang and vanilla plantations. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders bring passengers to Hell-Ville, the main port town, where colonial-era shopfronts line the streets and the central market sells spices, dried fish, and local rum. The surrounding water is clear and warm, and snorkelling around the smaller islands of Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba is easy to arrange. Lemurs are the big attraction on Nosy Komba, where black lemurs come down from the trees to take bananas from visitors' hands. Andilana Beach, on the island's north tip, has white sand and calm conditions. Whale watching is possible between July and September, when humpbacks pass through the Mozambique Channel. The local currency is the ariary, and French is more useful than English. Vanilla pods and rum arrangé make good, packable souvenirs.