- Andilana Beach- Travel TipsWhat to See, How to Plan & Tours
- Natural Scenery
- 5 Reviews
Visiting Andilana Beach: Nosy Be's Best Swimming Spot
Andilana Beach occupies a sheltered bay on the northwest tip of Nosy Be, roughly 25 kilometers from the main town of Hell-Ville. Travelers find that the sea here remains significantly calmer than the windward eastern shores, making it the safest location on the island for long-distance swimming. The water temperature rarely dips below 26 degrees Celsius even during the southern hemisphere winter, while summer peaks can reach a balmy 29 degrees.
Practical Logistics and Coastal Geography
A trip from Hell-Ville to Andilana Beach typically takes 45 to 60 minutes depending on the condition of the coastal road. Private taxis usually charge between 40,000 and 60,000 Ariary for a one-way journey, though prices are always negotiable before you enter the vehicle. For those on a tighter budget, local taxi-bes depart from the main market in town and cost roughly 3,000 Ariary, although these vehicles stop frequently and often become quite crowded during the mid-day heat.
Reaching the North Coast Safely
I recommend hiring a driver for the full day to ensure you have a reliable ride back after sunset. Finding a taxi on the remote north coast after 18:00 is notoriously difficult and usually results in paying double the standard rate. The road is paved but contains several deep potholes that require a slow pace. Watch for zebu cattle crossing the path, especially in the late afternoon when herders move their livestock back to the villages.
Weather Cycles and Optimal Visit Windows
Weather patterns on Nosy Be dictate the quality of your beach day more than any other factor. The dry season runs from May to October, providing clear blue skies and minimal humidity. During the peak of summer in January and February, the island experiences heavy monsoon rains that can turn the access roads into muddy tracks and cloud the water visibility. Morning high tides offer the clearest water for swimming because the receding tide later in the day exposes patches of seagrass and small volcanic rocks.
Distinguishing Between Public and Private Sands
The beach is geographically split into two distinct sections by a rocky outcrop and a small grove of palm trees. The southern portion is managed by the Andilana Beach Resort, while the northern arc remains entirely public and accessible to everyone without an entrance fee. While the resort side is manicured and raked daily, it lacks the spontaneity of the northern end where you can buy fresh coconuts directly from vendors or watch fishermen bring in their daily catch.
The Northern Public Access Experience
Choosing the public side allows for a more authentic encounter with Malagasy beach culture. Local families from across the island gather here on Sundays for picnics and music, so I suggest visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday if you prefer silence. The sand is remarkably fine and white, stretching for nearly 800 meters when the tide is out. Unlike many other beaches in Madagascar, there are very few sea urchins in the shallows here, allowing for barefoot wading without constant worry.
Day Pass Access for the Southern Resort
Travelers who are not staying at the resort can occasionally purchase a day pass to access the private beach facilities and buffet. These passes usually cost around 150,000 Ariary and include lunch plus use of the sun loungers and umbrellas. This is a practical option if you require shade, as the public beach has very few trees close to the water line. The resort also maintains a small botanical garden on the grounds that is worth a quick walk through if you have access.
Local Dining and Offshore Activities
Food options at Andilana range from high-end hotel dining to makeshift beach shacks serving grilled lobster. Most of the local restaurants are located at the very end of the access road near the public parking area. These establishments usually display their fresh catch of the day on ice, and you can pick your specific fish or crab before it goes onto the charcoal grill.
Seafood Shacks and Beachfront Gastronomy
Chez Loulou is one of the most established spots on the public beach and serves a notable seafood platter for two. A standard meal of grilled snapper with coconut rice and a local THB beer will cost you approximately 35,000 Ariary. The service is relaxed, which is a polite way of saying your food might take 45 minutes to arrive. Order a drink and enjoy the view rather than rushing the kitchen staff, as the pace of life here is intentionally slow.
Marine Life and Boat Charter Options
While the beach itself is sandy, small coral formations exist about 200 meters offshore. You can rent a traditional wooden pirogue from a local boatman for about 40,000 Ariary to take you out for an hour of snorkeling. You are likely to see green sea turtles grazing on the seagrass beds near the boundary of the bay. For a more extensive trip, boats depart from Andilana for Nosy Fanihy, a nearby uninhabited island known for its shell-covered beaches and crystal-clear snorkeling conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee for Andilana Beach?
Access to the northern public portion of Andilana Beach is completely free for all visitors. If you wish to use the private facilities at the Andilana Beach Resort on the southern end, you must be a guest or purchase a day pass for roughly 150,000 Ariary. Public parking is available at the end of the main road for a small tip to the local attendants.
When is the best time of day to see the sunset at Andilana?
Sunset typically occurs between 17:30 and 18:15 depending on the season, with the beach facing west for a direct view over the Mozambique Channel. The sky often turns deep shades of orange and purple around 15 minutes after the sun disappears below the horizon. Most visitors leave the beach immediately after the sun sets to avoid driving on the unlit roads back to Hell-Ville in the dark.
Can I swim at Andilana Beach during low tide?
Swimming is possible at low tide, but you will have to walk out quite far to reach water deep enough for a full stroke. The retreating water reveals a wide expanse of sand flats and some tidal pools that are interesting for observing small crabs and shells. For the best swimming experience, aim to arrive two hours before the peak high tide when the water is at its deepest and clearest.
Are there ATMs or credit card facilities at the beach?
There are no ATMs at Andilana Beach, so you must withdraw enough Ariary in Hell-Ville before heading north. While the large resort accepts major credit cards, the local seafood shacks and boat operators only deal in cash. Small bills are particularly useful for paying for coconuts, parking tips, or short pirogue trips along the coast.
Attractions in Nosy Be
- 1
Reviews of Andilana Beach
Gert Kopera - 2
Stunning location. I went there first in 1989 and nothing has changed other than the friendliness and happiness of the local team. That has vanished. No more smiles, no care. And certainly no all inclusive... You even pay for your water in the mini bar.. Drinks prices equal European prices. No beach service other than one animator passing once a day. Very complicated Spa booking procedures and oddly enough, the cheap spa slots seem never available. AC was barely working and did not get fixed. Gym is nice and needs only a bit of renovation. Shower get and shampoo are horrendous. Pouches of dry powder that are close to impossible to use in the shower. Transport to and from the airport is questionable at best. No AC, no water, and certainly not on time. Our departure was 25 min late for instance. Gardeners are friendly.
Kim - 5
German here. We went there 1 1/2 weeks for Honeymoon vacation and it was wonderful. The view is amazing - it doesn't look real, and if you're not in the pictures you take, people will think its ai generated. White beach sand, palms, shimmering, turquoise ocean and a bit of rocks and jungle in the distance, no people - amazing. You can go snorkeling directly at the beach, or you chill at the beach bar and get supplied with pizza and cocktails all day. You can also book day trips at the reception all day if you feel like it and the dates are really flexible. Tips: 1. The european food (except pizza and french fries) was not so good, but the malagassy food was amazing - stick to that when you go there. I also went brave and ate raw fish there, didn't die and it was delicious 2. We could only book day trips with cash Madagascar money and you can NOT WITHDRAW MONEY there, so make sure to bring enough. A day trip is around 100 € pP. The only place, you can withdraw money on nosy be is one ATM 30 min drive away where you have to go by tuktuk and I heard its not stacked often. 3. ITALIAN ONLY. Most people don't understand english here, or french, just malagassy and Italian, so be sure to learn some phrases before you go there. I downloaded duolingo there and started practising italian lmao All in all 100% recommended!! Loved it there
An dreas - 1
We found the staff in this hotel to be very unfriendly. In general, the hotel has a bad atmosphere, most of the guests, like us, do not seem to feel very comfortable here. Overall, a loveless and not at all recommendable accommodation.
Alessio Astolfi - 5
Andilana Beach Resort is an absolutely stunning property situated in a breathtaking location. From the moment you arrive, you'll be struck by the beauty of the lush gardens, crystal clear waters and pristine beaches. The resort itself is a haven of luxury, with beautifully designed rooms and suites that offer all the amenities you could want or need. Each room is spacious and comfortable, with a private balcony or terrace that overlooks the ocean or the gardens. The staff at Andilana Beach Resort are friendly and welcoming, and always on hand to assist with any queries or requests. The resort has a range of fantastic facilities. One of the highlights of our stay was the delicious food. The resort has a number of restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines, from traditional Malagasy dishes to international cuisine. The quality of the food was outstanding, and we found ourselves eagerly anticipating each meal. Overall, we had an absolutely wonderful stay at Andilana Beach Resort. The resort is perfect for couples, families or groups of friends looking for a luxurious and relaxing getaway. We would highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable experience in Madagascar. 5/5.
Pokemon Hacker - 5
This hotel is really amazing. When I saw local people outside the resort and living conditions on Madagascar, this place is like emperor's palace compared to Nosy be / Madagascar standards. Overall I would like to give 5 stars to this hotel. There are some things I would like to share with you. First impressions: When we arrived to the beautiful and renovated lobby, we were given welcome drinks which was very refreshing after 10 hour long flight from the Europe. The hotel was very clean without any bad odors. I would like to thank to all cleaning service stuff which kept ALL hotel facilities clean. Hotel room: The A/C was operating very quietly, temperatures were perfect, beds were comfy with functional safe locker in the wardrobe, we had some prehistoric LED TV which we even did not turn on because of lack of modern features. WiFi was pretty slow, but it was working in the room and in some hotel facilities. Everything was clean. Fridge was very loud and empty. We were given no drinking water except one 1.5L bottle on our arrival and if you wanted some you had to pay for it. I think it was 5 EUR for 2.5L of water which is strange considering we paid for all inclusive services... Restaurants and food: There was central restaurant where you could get a breakfast, lunch and dinner. In my opinion the opening times for the meals were pretty short - it was something like 1.5 - 2 hours. It is also possible to eat in Pily Pily restaurant which overlooks the sea. Lunch is complimentary and for dinner it is for a surcharge. Food was so delicious, full of fishes, sea food, range of vegetables, fruits and many many many more categories. Beaches and pool: Beaches very clean, sometimes there were some annoying local sellers and scammers which were luckily not allowed to come to hotel loungers. They are selling some local products which are extremely overpriced. There is often a tide which you need to take into consideration, so sometimes the sea disappears and you have to go 100 meters further to reach the water, but sometimes it is normal and you don't have to walk too far. The water is very warm and pleasant with plenty of warm sand and it feels so nice to swim in it. You need to be aware of a lionfish. When we were swimming on the sandy part of the ocean very close to the shore, there was one lionfish swimming 2 meters close to us. These fishes do not usually attack and we did not feel any discomfort when we saw it, but we started to be aware of our surroundings, because if the fish attacks you, you would probably die considering the lack of proper medical attention. If there are any more serious health issues, you would need to get transported to the RSA by a plane which takes some time, so be careful at all times. Hotel services: There is a doctor on site which we did not have to use, 2 amazing restaurants, some hotel bars which can offer you some delicious snacks and even pizza throughout the day, there are 2 hotel shops where you can buy many local products which are expensive, but at least high quality. It is possible to purchase local tours and excurcions. We bought 3 islands visit and it was truly spectacular! The hotel has beautiful gardens which are very clean, the grass is cut and it has amazing care, so thumbs up for the gardeners stuff! It is possible to encounter some amazing animals such as giant turtle called "Karolina", lemur, chameleon and 4 crocodilles which are in cage. There are some SPA facilities which we did not use, big swimming pool which was very pleasant, some animations and shows in the evening which we also did not use and many other things. Overall I can give to this hotel excellent rating. Even though we had some indigestion issues, it is not problem of this hotel, it is problem of Africa. All staff members were super friendly, we got all the care what we needed, it was very clean, nobody was rude, food was very tasty, we slept very well, pretty much everything was working and amazing memories we had will persitst. Thank you for your services!
