Miavana Hotel, Nosy Ankao

Miavana by Time + Tide, Nosy Ankao

The Pinnacle of Ultra-Luxury and Conservation

Miavana is not simply a resort; it is a world-class conservation project and Madagascar’s first truly ultra-luxury “Blue Safari” destination. Located on Nosy Ankao, the largest of five private islands in a remote archipelago off the northeast coast, Miavana offers an unparalleled fusion of high-design elegance and raw, untamed wilderness. This sanctuary is dedicated to protecting the region’s unique marine and terrestrial biodiversity while providing a guest experience that rivals the finest private islands in the world.

Rooms & Accommodation

The resort features 14 massive one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas, designed by the award-winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens. Each villa is a masterclass in “barefoot sophistication,” constructed from hand-hewn local stone and reclaimed wood.

• Expansive Living: Villas range from 450 to 700 square meters, offering a level of space and privacy that is unmatched in the Indian Ocean.

• Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Floor-to-ceiling glass walls slide away to reveal the sapphire waters. Each villa features a private infinity pool, a separate study (convertible for children), and a spacious living room with a kitchenette.

• The “Lighthouse” Bathrooms: The stunning en-suite bathrooms feature deep-soaking tubs and indoor/outdoor showers, all adorned with intricate hand-placed stone details.

• Private Beach Access: Each villa sits directly on the powder-white sand, secluded by lush tropical vegetation to ensure total anonymity.

Dining & Atmosphere

The culinary journey at Miavana is entirely bespoke, with menus tailored to your personal preferences and the daily catch.

• The Piazza: This central hub houses the bar, a French-influenced restaurant, and an infinity pool. It is a stunning piece of architecture, featuring “floating” platforms and a walk-in wine cellar.

• Beachfront Gastronomy: Enjoy “toes-in-the-sand” lunches, private sandbank picnics, or gourmet dinners under a canopy of stars. The cuisine celebrates Malagasy flavors infused with international flair.

• The Museum: The resort houses a fascinating “Cabinet of Curiosities,” featuring a skeleton of the extinct Elephant Bird and a diverse collection of local artifacts and natural history specimens.

Facilities & Experience

Miavana’s “Blue Safari” concept invites guests to explore the sea, land, and sky through a series of extraordinary excursions.

• Helicopter Adventures: The resort maintains its own helicopters for “Lemur Trekking” in nearby national parks (like Ankarana or Lokobe), allowing for world-class wildlife encounters without long drives.

• Marine Wilderness: Explore the house reef directly from your villa or take a boat to discover untouched dive sites. The waters are home to manta rays, sea turtles, and, from July to October, migrating humpback whales.

• World-Class Fishing: The archipelago is a premier destination for catch-and-release fly fishing and deep-sea fishing.

• Wellness & Spa: A dedicated spa team provides in-villa treatments and yoga sessions, utilizing organic products inspired by the island’s flora.

Sustainability & Community

Sustainability is the heartbeat of Miavana. The resort was built to serve as an economic engine for the protection of the Loky Manambato Protected Area.

• Environmental Stewardship: The resort is powered by a massive solar field and utilizes a state-of-the-art desalination plant. They have active programs for turtle monitoring and reforestation.

• The Time + Tide Foundation: A portion of every stay supports community health and education projects on the mainland, as well as the protection of the critically endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur.

• Local Empowerment: Over 80% of the island’s staff are from the local region, receiving extensive training in hospitality and conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we reach the island? Arrival is exclusively via helicopter. Most guests fly into Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) or Nosy Be, where they are met by the Miavana flight crew for a breathtaking 30-to-60-minute scenic flight over the “Tsingy” and the turquoise reefs of the archipelago.

What is included in the stay? Miavana operates on an ultra-all-inclusive basis. This includes all meals, premium spirits and wines, most island-based activities (snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding), and laundry. Helicopter excursions and deep-sea diving are typically additional.

When is the best time to visit? The island is a year-round destination. May to December offers the best weather for outdoor activities, while the “whale season” peaks from August to September.

Expert Insight

“Miavana is in a league of its own. It is the only place on Earth where you can spend your morning diving with manta rays and your afternoon taking a private helicopter to see lemurs in a prehistoric limestone forest. Because we coordinate your entire flight path and bespoke activity schedule, your time on the island is completely seamless and profoundly transformative.” — Aleem, Madagascar Specialist

More details about activities and facilities:

Helicopter Adventures (In the Air)

Miavana maintains its own fleet of helicopters and a private helipad to offer “short-haul” access to the mainland’s most restricted and beautiful sites. These are curated as full-day or half-day excursions:

• Lemur Trekking par Excellence:

  • Daraina (Tattersali Camp): A flight to the remote Loky Manambato region to see the Golden-Crowned Sifaka, one of the rarest primates on Earth.

  • Anjahakely (Black Lemur Camp): A trek into the Andavakoera mountains to find the critically endangered Perrier’s Sifaka (the only all-black sifaka species) and the Crowned Lemur.

  • Amber Mountain: A flight into a high-altitude rainforest microclimate to chase waterfalls and spot the world’s smallest chameleon, the Brookesia.

• Geological Wonders:

  • Tsingy Rouge: A scenic flight to witness the photogenic red laterite formations carved by the Irodo River—a “hidden gem” far from the tourist crowds.

  • Ankarana National Park: Explore the sharp limestone pinnacles (Tsingy) and their vast underground network of caves and rivers, some of which are home to crocodiles.

• Bespoke Scenic Flights: Includes “Secluded Sundowners” on remote peaks and aerial tours of the Mitsio Archipelago.

Marine Biodiversity (On the Water)

The marine-protected waters surrounding the island act as a “kaleidoscopic garden,” with specific seasonal sightings and dedicated sites for every level of experience:

• Whale Season (July to October): Humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to birth and nurse their young in these warm bays. You can witness them via boat, while diving, or even from your villa with binoculars.

• Turtle Monitoring (December to March): The island is a protected nesting site for Green and Hawksbill turtles. Guests can join the conservation team to witness nesting mothers or hatchlings making their way to the sea.

• Key Dive Sites:

  • Nosy Manambiby: A nearby island with exceptional coral health and pinnacles rising from 20m, home to potato bass, Napoleon wrasse, and mobula rays.

  • Caves & Gullies: A dramatic site with swim-throughs and a deep drop-off where you might encounter large pelagic fish like Spanish mackerel and dogtooth tuna.

• Birdwatching: From May to September, over 40,000 breeding pairs of terns arrive at the neighboring island of Manampaho, creating one of the largest nesting colonies in the Indian Ocean.

Island Facilities & Leisure

• The Cabinet de Curiosities: A sophisticated museum housing natural history treasures, including an extinct Elephant Bird egg and pygmy hippo skeletons.

• The Activity Centre: A fully equipped PADI dive center that also provides gear for kite-surfing, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding.

• Island Lemur Trekking: For a low-impact experience, the island’s forested heart is home to a resident population of Crowned Lemurs (translocated for their protection in 2017).

• Youth Discovery: Tailored activities for children include the “Chameleon Challenge,” treasure hunts, and the PADI Bubblemaker program for young divers.