Sakatia Lodge

Top choice in Northern Madagascar


Family-run Sakatia Lodge offers garden bungalows on a slope above the stylish open restaurant and bar. There are also beachside three-bedroom villas suitable for families (Ar1,000,000/1,100,000). The lodge specialises in diving and fishing. Its dive school is well-equipped and recommended by readers, even for beginners, with highly experienced instructors. Snorkelling in the nearby green-turtle sanctuary is blissful. Food is excellent.

There are seven dive sites in the bay in front of the lodge. If you didn't know that there is a psychedelic disco under the sea at night where some of the marine life emits light, try the enchanting bio-fluorescence night-time diving (Ar760,000).

The dive school offers NAUI courses (one/10 dives with full equipment Ar200,000/1,600,000). The dive-school manager, Masha Khokhlova, gives talks on the flora and fauna of the island. She manages the turtle research projects and the turtle database.

The dedicated fishing boat takes up to four fishers (half/full day €300/550).

There's a tempting shop, games room, massage room and library. Borrow a kayak and explore the island.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Madagascar attractions

1. Andilana

4.63 MILES

Far and away Nosy Be’s best beach, Andilana, at the island’s northwest tip, is a long stretch of pearly white sand, with water that’s true azure and clear…

2. Mont Passot

5.04 MILES

Mt Passot (329m), Nosy Be’s loftiest point, lies about 15km northwest of Hell-Ville (two-hour drive). It’s a good spot for admiring sunsets and the…

3. Ambondrona

5.13 MILES

On a small bay just north of Madirokely, Ambondrona is more tranquil than its southern neighbours, with lovely views of the mainland hills across the sea.

4. Sacred Banyan Tree

9.45 MILES

On the coast beyond tiny Mahatsinjo village, there's an enormous sacred banyan tree planted by the Queen of the Sakalava tribe in 1836. Nowadays, the…

5. Lemuria Land

10.59 MILES

This is a truly beautiful plantation full of ylang-ylang trees climbing up the hillsides, with mangroves along the river. The entrance fee includes the…

6. Parc National Marin de Nosy Tanikely

12.96 MILES

Nosy Tanikely is a protected marine reserve 10km south of Nosy Be. It's one of the best snorkelling sites in the area, with coral, numerous fish and sea…

7. Lemur Park

15.75 MILES

In this small park, the black lemurs are wild, but locals feed them bananas so that the animals will eat off your hand or jump on your shoulder for that…

8. Millot Plantations

28.01 MILES

This beautiful plantation, established in 1904, is a leading producer of organic cocoa, spices and essential oils, and a visit to this little slice of…