Nosy Komba's top activities include snorkelling with sea turtles from shore, encountering wild black lemurs in the village, hiking to the 622-metre summit, day-tripping to Nosy Tanikely marine reserve, and swimming with whale sharks from September to November.
Nosy Komba - known locally as Nosy Ambariovato - is a volcanic island 8 kilometres south of Nosy Be in northwestern Madagascar. Just 25 km2 in size, it's small enough to feel intimate but rich enough in wildlife, culture, and ocean life to fill a week without repeating yourself.
01Snorkel with Sea Turtles from Shore
No boat required. Several beaches on Nosy Komba's western and southern coasts have coral reef accessible directly from the sand. Green sea turtles are resident year-round and regularly spotted within 50 metres of shore. Hawksbill turtles, reef fish, octopus, moray eels, and rays are also common.
Makis' Vallee provides snorkelling gear for guests. Water temperature stays between 26 and 30 degrees year-round, so no wetsuit is needed.
02Meet the Wild Black Lemurs
Nosy Komba is nicknamed "the island of lemurs" after its resident population of black lemurs (Eulemur macaco). Unlike zoo animals, these lemurs roam freely through forest canopy, village paths, rooftops, and guesthouse balconies.
Males are jet black; females are chestnut brown with bright orange eyes. Both are curious and largely unafraid of humans, though feeding them is discouraged to maintain their wild behaviour.
The Black Lemur Sanctuary in Ampangorina village offers guided encounters where lemurs may climb onto your arms and shoulders. The sanctuary also houses pythons, chameleons, geckos, and tortoises.
03Hike to the Summit of Antaninaomby (622m)
The highest point on Nosy Komba rises 622 metres above sea level. The hike from Ampangorina takes 2-3 hours each way through dense tropical forest, past cacao plantations, ylang-ylang trees, and the eco-village of Akiba.
excursions page for guided hike options.
The summit rewards you with a 360-degree panorama: Nosy Be to the north, the Mozambique Channel to the west, and the Madagascar mainland to the east.
A local guide is strongly recommended.
04Day Trip to Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve
Nosy Tanikely is a tiny uninhabited island 15 minutes by boat from Nosy Komba. Its surrounding waters are a protected marine reserve widely regarded as one of the finest snorkelling sites in the Indian Ocean. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres.
Excursions depart from Nosy Komba most mornings.
Expect to see sea turtles (almost guaranteed), schools of tropical fish, lionfish, nudibranchs, starfish, and healthy coral formations.
05Swim with Whale Sharks (Seasonal)
From September to November, whale sharks - the largest fish on Earth, reaching up to 12 metres - migrate through the waters between Nosy Be and Nosy Komba. Guided snorkelling excursions take you to where these gentle giants feed near the surface.
whale shark trips depart early morning and last 3-4 hours.
Swimming alongside a whale shark is consistently described by visitors as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
06Visit the Akiba Eco-Village
A 45-minute uphill walk from Ampangorina leads to Akiba, a hilltop community pioneering sustainable agriculture on Nosy Komba. Villagers grow cacao, vanilla, pepper, cloves, and coffee, then process them by hand.
The highlight is watching chocolate made from bean to bar. You can taste and buy the finished product. Akiba also produces essential oils from ylang-ylang and ravintsara.
07Explore Ampangorina Village on Foot
Ampangorina is the main village on Nosy Komba's western coast and the heart of island life. A walk through the village reveals hand-painted houses, children playing football on the beach, fishermen mending nets, women weaving raffia, and lemurs leaping between rooftops.
There are no souvenir shops in the Western sense - local artisans sell hand-carved wooden figures, embroidered tablecloths, and vanilla pods. Bargaining is expected and friendly.
08Kayak Along the Coast
Several guesthouses on Nosy Komba offer kayaks for guests. Paddling along the coastline reveals hidden coves, rock formations, and secluded beaches inaccessible on foot. The western coast from Ampangorina south is particularly scenic.
09Island-Hop to Nosy Iranja
Nosy Iranja - known as "Turtle Island" - is a pair of islands connected by a sandbar that appears at low tide, creating one of Madagascar's most photographed landscapes. It sits approximately 1.5 hours by speedboat south of Nosy Komba.
island-hopping excursions from Nosy Komba include the boat trip, snorkelling stops, and a beach barbecue lunch.
The larger island has a lighthouse and a small sea turtle conservation project where, during nesting season (November-February), you can watch green turtles lay eggs on the beach at night.
10Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop
Nosy Komba faces west across the Mozambique Channel, making it one of the best sunset-watching locations in Madagascar. The sun drops directly into the ocean, painting the sky in oranges, pinks, and purples.
Makis' Vallee the rooftop pool offers uninterrupted views over the ocean and Ampangorina village.
11Try Malagasy Food at a Local Gargotte
Gargottes are small, family-run eateries found along the beach and village paths. A typical meal: grilled fish caught that morning, served with rice, rougail (spicy tomato sauce), and achards (pickled vegetable salad). Lobster, octopus, and king prawns appear regularly.
12Visit the Musee Lovako
This small museum in Ampangorina village documents the history, culture, and traditions of Nosy Komba. Exhibits cover the Sakalava people's relationship with lemurs (considered fady - sacred), traditional fishing methods, and the island's role in the vanilla and ylang-ylang trade.
13Go Scuba Diving
While Nosy Komba does not have its own dive centre, dive operators from Nosy Be regularly pick up guests from the island. The surrounding waters offer excellent diving for all levels - coral walls, drift dives, macro life, and larger pelagics including occasional manta rays and eagle rays.
14Learn to Kitesurf with Akomba Kite
Akomba Kite, a kitesurfing school partnered with Makis' Vallee, operates in the waters around Nosy Komba and Nosy Be. The flat, warm lagoons offer ideal learning conditions with consistent wind from May to November.
15Simply Do Nothing
This deserves a place on the list because it's what Nosy Komba does better than almost anywhere. The island has no traffic noise, no construction, no nightclub bass. The soundtrack is waves, birdsong, and the occasional lemur bark.
rooftop pool watching boats cross the channel.
Spend a morning reading in a hammock. Walk barefoot on warm sand at dusk. Let a week pass and realise you never once checked the time.
Nosy Komba rewards stillness as much as activity. Many guests at Makis' Vallee tell us their favourite day was the one where they did absolutely nothing.
How Many Days Do You Need?
| Duration | What You Can Fit In |
|---|---|
| 2 nights | Snorkelling, lemur visit, village walk, sunsets |
| 3-4 nights | Add summit hike, Nosy Tanikely day trip, kayaking |
| 5-7 nights | Add whale sharks (seasonal), Nosy Iranja, Akiba visit, diving, deep relaxation |
| 7+ nights | Full island immersion - explore every beach, befriend the village, lose track of what day it is |
Most visitors wish they'd stayed longer. Read our full comparison: Nosy Komba vs Nosy Be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do on Nosy Komba?
Nosy Komba offers snorkelling with sea turtles, wild black lemur encounters, hiking to the 622m summit, day trips to Nosy Tanikely, whale shark swimming (September-November), village walks, artisan markets, chocolate tasting, kitesurfing, kayaking, and dining at beachfront gargottes.
Is Nosy Komba worth visiting?
Nosy Komba is widely considered the highlight of the Nosy Be archipelago. It offers wild lemurs living freely among villagers, pristine coral reefs accessible from shore, no motorised vehicles, and authentic Malagasy village life.
How many days do you need on Nosy Komba?
Most visitors spend 3-7 nights. Three nights covers snorkelling, a lemur visit, and a village walk. Five to seven nights allows for the summit hike, Nosy Tanikely, whale sharks (seasonal), and genuine relaxation.
Can you snorkel from the beach on Nosy Komba?
Yes. Several beaches have coral reef directly from shore. Sea turtles, reef fish, octopus, and rays are commonly spotted. Nosy Tanikely marine reserve, 15 minutes by boat, offers even more spectacular underwater scenery.
When is whale shark season on Nosy Komba?
Whale sharks visit from September to November, peaking in October. Guided excursions cost 40-60 euros per person. Sightings during peak season have approximately a 70-80% success rate.
Is Nosy Komba safe for children?
Very safe. No cars or motorbikes on the island. Lemur encounters, beach play, calm-water snorkelling, and village walks are all family-friendly. Bring water shoes for rocky shorelines.