Diving in Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands
Why dive here
Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands offers 13 dive sites in Madagascar.
Nosy Iranja and the Radama Islands are a different beast, a slice of Madagascar that still feels untouched. We love how relatively few divers make it here, which means the reefs are in genuinely fantastic shape. Expect drift dives that carry you past walls of staghorn coral, where schools of Ternate chromis shimmer like scattered jewels. Our favourite spots often reveal giant honeycomb groupers lurking in the shadows, and we’ve had some cracking encounters with longfin trevally hunting fusiliers. The currents can be playful, nothing too wild, but enough to keep things interesting and bring in the bigger stuff. For a true highlight, watch for spotted tobies darting around the coral heads, and if you're lucky, you might spot an ornate pitar venus half-buried in the sand. When the tide is low, we always make time to walk the sandbar between Nosy Iranja Be and Nosy Iranja Kely - it’s a stunning end to a day of diving.
Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands
Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands Dive Sites
13 dive sites in Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands
Abyss
Abyss is a solid dive out near Nosy Iranja, about a 40-minute speed boat ride from Nosy Be. We tend to hit it when the tide's on its way up, which seems to bring out the bigger stuff. The main draw here is a wall, really, but what makes it stand out is the sheer number of fan corals plastered all over it. They're everywhere, making for some great wide-angle shots. You'll find the top of the drop-off around 18-20 metres, and that's where we’ve often spotted humphead parrotfish cruising the edge, along with schools of jacks and the occasional tuna zipping by. Mantas also show up here, though they’re never a guarantee. It’s a good spot for a relaxed drift and some impressive coral scenery.
ANKORA
Ankora, off Sakatia Island, is one of those easygoing dives where you're guaranteed to see a solid mix of everything. We've spent many an afternoon here, drifting past impressive hard coral formations that shelter schools of fusiliers and snapper. Keep an eye out for the resident titan triggerfish – they’re a friendly bunch here, not their usual grumpy selves. On one dive, a small white-tip reef shark cruised past, barely bothered by us. We think it's a great spot for newer divers looking for a relaxed dive with plenty to see, and if you're lucky enough to be there in October or November, it’s one of the best local areas for whale shark encounters at the surface.
Banc 06
Banc 06 sits as a shallow plateau, typically between 14 and 19 metres, and when it’s on, it’s really on. We’re talking about schools of fusiliers so thick they can genuinely block out the sun for a moment or two. It’s not a guaranteed spectacle; sometimes the fish just decide to move on, leaving it a little quieter, which can be a bit of a letdown. But we’ve also seen a massive moray eel here, casually cruising, and there’s always a chance for a fly-by from a manta, mobula, or eagle ray, which makes the gamble worthwhile. It’s a good spot for divers who enjoy being surrounded by sheer numbers of fish and don't mind a bit of a lucky dip with the bigger pelagics.
Banc de l'entrée extérieur
Banc de l'entrée extérieur is a wall dive, and it’s a bit of a trek from Nosy Be, but often worth the trip for the clearer water. We’ve found the visibility here can be fantastic, reaching 25-30 metres on a good day, which makes for some dramatic views down the drop-off. The coral itself is decent, a healthy mix of hard and soft, but let’s be honest, you’re here for the bigger stuff. This site is a reliable spot for pelagic sightings, with blacktail sharks and whitetip reef sharks cruising by. If you’re comfortable with depths down to 50 metres and enjoy a good drift along a wall, you'll likely appreciate this dive.
BANC DES GORGONES
Banc des Gorgones feels a bit like stepping into a coral architect's dream. It's a reef known for truly spectacular sea fans, big ones that unfold like abstract art, interspersed with some genuinely striking coral formations. We’ve seen blue-spotted stingrays glide past, and spent a good while spotting the usual cast of characters – crocodile fish, stone fish, trumpet fish, and if you’re lucky, a pipe ghost fish or a nudibranch. Keep an eye out for cleaner shrimp doing their thing. The resident green turtles here are massive, and schools of snapper often cruise by, making this a reliable spot for a good, solid dive. It’s a comfortable dive for most, rewarding those who take their time to look closely.
GRAND BANC
Grand Banc, or Shark Point as it's often called, is a proper drift dive along a dramatic drop-off that stares right into the Mozambique Channel. We're talking proper pelagic action here, with regular sightings of grey reef sharks and white-tips cruising past. If you're lucky, and we have been, hammerheads make an appearance from the blue. Keep an eye out for the big schools of snapper and fusiliers that hang around, and we've spotted wahoo and yellowfin tuna zipping through too. This one's for divers comfortable with a bit of current who are keen on big fish encounters.
Louann
Louann gives you a good wall dive, dropping from 20 to 50 meters. The main draw here is the extensive field of fan coral covering the deeper sections. It’s a solid choice for divers who appreciate the quieter beauty of a healthy coral slope rather than big pelagic action. We'd suggest it for experienced divers comfortable at depth.
Nosy Iranja - Iranja Reef
Iranja Reef, just off Nosy Iranja, gives you a good look at a healthy coral system. We often see green and hawksbill turtles here, gliding through the shallows or munching on the corals. Keep an eye out for rays too, sometimes settled on the sandy patches between the reef structures. It’s a pretty relaxed dive, generally in the 10-25m range, making it a solid choice for most divers wanting an easygoing but engaging reef experience.
Nosy Iranja - The Channel
The Channel at Nosy Iranja is a pretty straightforward drift. You drop in and let the current carry you between the two islands. We've seen schools of fusiliers here, sometimes so thick they block out the sun, and if you keep an eye out into the blue, you might catch a glimpse of a passing trevally or even a reef shark. It's a quick dive, usually 30-40 minutes, but it's a good way to get some movement and see what's passing through. Best for divers comfortable with a bit of speed.
NOSY TANIKELY MARINE PARK
Nosy Tanikely Marine Park feels like a well-tended aquarium. We’ve seen healthy plate corals here, along with some truly substantial brain corals, providing a good backdrop for the reef fish. Keep an eye out for turtles slowly cruising by. You'll often spot big groupers lurking, and the shoals of snappers and fusiliers can be impressive, sometimes dense enough to dim the light. It's a relaxed dive, generally calm, making it a good choice if you're looking for an easy day out or are newer to diving.
Tagada
Tagada is a reliable wall dive off Nosy Iranja. We start on a plateau around 18 metres, a nice spot to get oriented, before dropping over the edge. The wall itself is interesting, with some good relief and plenty of those big, lovely fan corals. Fish life isn't always thick, but we have had days there seeing individual sharks cruise by and sometimes a whole school of humphead parrotfish chewing away at the coral. It’s a good spot for divers comfortable with depth, going down to around 40 metres or a bit more, and those who appreciate the structure of a wall over endless reef fish.
THE "MITSIO" WRECK
The Mitsio Wreck, sunk intentionally in 2007, quickly became a proper fish magnet. We’re talking schools of sardines and fusiliers so dense they sometimes block out the light, circling the structure like a living cloak. You'll also find friendly batfish that cruise right up to you, along with the usual suspects: lionfish tucked into crevices, moray eels peering from holes, and big yellow snappers schooling above the deck. It’s not a massive wreck for deep penetration, but it’s a brilliant shallow dive for anyone who loves watching fish interact with a structure, making it a great spot for photographers or those looking for an easy, productive dive.
Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands Dive Centres
12 dive shops and operators in Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands
Adventure Blue Vision
Andilana Beach Diving Center
BLUE WAVE DIVING
DOUBLE DEEP DIVING CENTER
Dune Madagascar Sakalav
FREEDIVE NOSY BE
Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Our Ocean Diving
Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:58
Sunset
17:44
Daylight
11h 45m
Golden Hour
17:15
First light (dawn) at 05:37 · Last light (dusk) at 18:05
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 05:33 | 18:22 | 12h 50m |
| Feb | 05:47 | 18:19 | 12h 32m |
| Mar | 05:52 | 18:03 | 12h 11m |
| Apr | 05:54 | 17:43 | 11h 48m |
| May | 06:00 | 17:30 | 11h 30m |
| JunShortest | 06:09 | 17:29 | 11h 21m |
| Jul | 06:12 | 17:36 | 11h 24m |
| AugNow | 06:03 | 17:43 | 11h 40m |
| Sep | 05:43 | 17:44 | 12h 1m |
| Oct | 05:23 | 17:46 | 12h 23m |
| Nov | 05:11 | 17:55 | 12h 43m |
| DecLongest | 05:16 | 18:11 | 12h 54m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands.
Where to Stay near Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands
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Marine Protected Areas near Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands
14 protected areas near Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands - please respect local regulations when diving
Tandavandriva
Ankivonjy
Ankarea
Nosy Hara
CM7B
Ambodivahibe
Mangroves de la Baie d'Ambaro
Sahamalaza Iles Radama
Zones Humides de Sahamalaza
Ankingabe
Nosy Tanihely
Lokobe
Showing 12 largest of 14
Getting to Nosy Iranja & Radama Islands
Nosy Be
Dzaoudzi
Mahajanga
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