Chameau - Nosy Be

Chameau always feels like a bit of a gamble, but when it pays off, it *really* pays off. We’ve had days here where it felt like just another reef, and then others where it absolutely blew us away. Our favourite memory is drifting along a wall blanketed in thin birdsnest coral, the kind that looks like delicate pink lace, with so many tropical silversides schooling around us that they actually filtered the light. It was a dizzying, shimmering curtain. You’ll want to look closely here, not just at the big picture. We’ve spotted some truly bizarre nudibranchs, the bicolor kind, and once a cloth-of-gold cone snail inching its way across a closed brain coral. The reef system here is a fascinating mix of hard corals, from largebrain root coral to dense stands of staghorn. While there's no guarantee, if you’re lucky enough to hit it during whale shark season, this spot is one of their known haunts. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the best chance at calmer conditions and fewer boats. It’s a site that rewards patience and a keen eye, perfect for divers who appreciate intricate reef ecosystems and aren’t solely focused on pelagics.

Location

Nosy Be, Madagascar, Indian Ocean & East Africa

Coordinates

-13.322065, 48.099470

Marine Protected Area: Tandavandriva