Nosy Komba: snorkeling

Nosy Komba itself offers excellent snorkeling conditions, but it’s also a fantastic base for reaching some of the best-rated snorkeling spots in the entire Nosy Be archipelago.

Here is a breakdown of what to expect for snorkeling around Nosy Komba:

1. Snorkeling Directly from Nosy Komba

Nosy Komba is surrounded by clear, calm waters, and you can often snorkel directly from the beaches, particularly along the Northwest Coast where many lodges are located.

• Marine Life: The shallow waters feature vibrant coral gardens, colorful tropical fish, anemones, and you have a good chance of spotting sea turtles (Green and Hawksbill), particularly near seagrass beds.
• Accessibility: It’s an easy and convenient option, perfect for beginners and for a spontaneous swim right in front of your accommodation.
• Unique Feature: The rocky formations around the island’s coastline create unique habitats for colorful fish, crustaceans, octopuses, and eels.

2. The Best Nearby Snorkeling Spot: Nosy Tanikely

While Nosy Komba is good, the undisputed best snorkeling in the region is just a short boat ride away at Nosy Tanikely Marine National Park.

• Reputation: It is widely recognized as one of the top snorkeling and diving sites in Madagascar.
• Pristine Reef: As a protected marine reserve, the coral reef is in better condition and is often called a “natural aquarium.”
• Marine Life Highlights: You are virtually guaranteed to see sea turtles (sometimes a dozen or more), Madagascar clownfish (endemic to the area), schools of barracuda, colorful reef fish, and a variety of soft and hard corals.

3. Other Popular Excursion Spots

Snorkeling tours from Nosy Komba or Nosy Be frequently visit other islands with excellent underwater scenery:

• Nosy Sakatia: Famous for its calm seagrass beds where you can easily and reliably swim alongside large, graceful Green Sea Turtles.
• Nosy Iranja: While known for its stunning white sandbar that connects two islands, the surrounding crystal-clear waters also offer good reef snorkeling.
• Whale/Whale Shark Tours: During the seasonal migrations (Humpback Whales from July to November and Whale Sharks from October to December), snorkeling in open water to see these giants is a popular trip organized from the Nosy Be area.