Swim with Massive Whale Sharks—the Earth's Largest Fish
Whale Sharks of Madagascar Extension
Overview
Whale sharks, the biggest fish in the ocean and among the docile, regularly visit Nosy Be Island in northwestern Madagascar between the end of September and December. Growing as long as 65 feet, these fish are plankton feeders, scooping up tiny plants and small fish while gliding close to the surface. Swimming among these creatures is a wonderful thrill—don your fins, mask, and snorkel and get ready for one of the great wildlife experiences of the world! A seaside hotel with an infinity pool keeps you comfortable as you enjoy this great adventure.
Arrive: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Depart: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Highlights
- Swim with gentle whale sharks in northwestern Madagascar
- Enjoy a seaside hotel on the Indian Ocean
Itinerary
Fly to Nosy Be, an island off northwestern Madagascar. You'll be met on arrival by our representative and transferred to the seaside Residence Villas...BLD
After breakfast, a 20-minute drive brings you to the harbor for a half-day excursion with whale sharks. The boat is simple and hosts 10-12 passengers. Snorkel, fins, and masks are provided (or you can bring your own). The waters in this area are very calm and offer crystal-clear visibility. During the excursion, the boat follows the route of the whale sharks as they swim along at about three miles an hour. You will be getting in and out of the water six or seven times by descending a small step with a railing (staff is available to help, but you must be mobile enough to get yourself in and out of the boat). Etiquette for swimming with whale sharks includes not approaching them closer than nine feet, not using flash photography, and remaining still in the water if they swim towards you. The boat crew will have further instructions.
Return to the hotel for lunch and optional afternoon activities. Later in the day, you'll be met for a drive to a vista point on Mont Passot where you can enjoy a beautiful Indian Ocean sunset. Dinner is on your own this evening at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at Residence Villas...BL
Return to the hotel for lunch and optional afternoon activities. Later in the day, you'll be met for a drive to a vista point on Mont Passot where you can enjoy a beautiful Indian Ocean sunset. Dinner is on your own this evening at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at Residence Villas...BL
Enjoy your choice of another morning with the whale sharks, or choose to travel by private boat to two of the surrounding islands.
On the island excursion, you'll visit cone-shaped Nosy Komba, where a 20-minute walk brings you to a nature park where black macaco lemurs are found. Boating further to the island of Nosy Tanikely, a small protected marine reserve, you'll be gliding over pristine coral formations brimming with life. There is great snorkeling here in clear waters and a chance to see hawksbill and green turtles, dolphins, and multi-colored coral Return to Nosy Be for an afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Residence Villas...BLD
On the island excursion, you'll visit cone-shaped Nosy Komba, where a 20-minute walk brings you to a nature park where black macaco lemurs are found. Boating further to the island of Nosy Tanikely, a small protected marine reserve, you'll be gliding over pristine coral formations brimming with life. There is great snorkeling here in clear waters and a chance to see hawksbill and green turtles, dolphins, and multi-colored coral Return to Nosy Be for an afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Residence Villas...BLD
Fly back to the capital for an overnight at Relais des Plateaux.
Note: There are a few flights departing direct from Nosy Be to Paris (or other European cities)...BL
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight...BLD
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens visiting Madagascar.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.