Nosy Mangabe
Island Small Malagasy island reserve famous for aye-aye lemurs
Off Madagascar’s northeast coast, Nosy Mangabe is a rainforest island reserve reachable by boat; visitors hike the interior, look for aye-ayes and observe coastal wildlife.
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Nosy Mangabe is a small island reserve in Antongil Bay off Madagascar’s northeast coast, within the Analanjirofo region. The island is protected for its rainforest habitat and for the conservation of several endemic species.
It is known for dense coastal rainforest, trails through primary vegetation and for wildlife such as lemurs and other endemic fauna, including nocturnal species often sought by visitors. The reserve is used for research and conservation as well as controlled ecotourism.
The island lies in Antongil Bay near the port town of Maroantsetra and is accessed by boat; it is closely linked to nearby protected areas on the mainland and to Masoala National Park.
Nosy Mangabe is offshore from northeastern Madagascar, set in a bay that provides shelter from open-ocean conditions and places the island within a tropical coastal landscape.
- Access: Accessible by boat from the coastal town of Maroantsetra, visits are usually arranged as day trips or short stays combined with Masoala National Park excursions.
How to Get to Nosy Mangabe #
Access is by boat from Maroantsetra on Madagascar’s northeast coast. Trips are typically arranged through local operators or lodge-based services; permits for the reserve are managed locally.
Tips for Visiting Nosy Mangabe #
- Hire a local guide from Maroantsetra to organize permits and transport-trips to Nosy Mangabe require park permission and usually an overnight stay.
- Bring a headlamp for night walks-aye-ayes and other nocturnal species are most active after dark.
- Respect the reserve's rules: no collecting, no single-use plastics left on beaches, and keep noise to a minimum during wildlife spotting.
Best Time to Visit Nosy Mangabe #
The dry season (May-October) is best for wildlife watching and for safer boat access from Maroantsetra.
Weather & Climate near Nosy Mangabe #
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in February) and warm winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (3190 mm/year), wettest in March.
January
January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (365 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (388 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (429 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (408 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (281 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (260 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (273 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (199 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (278 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
