Radama Islands Resort Sarlu

The Radama Islands Resort is situated on Antanimora Island, approximately 100km south of Nosy Be. This remote location offers access to a remarkably well-preserved marine ecosystem that remains largely untouched by fishing pressure.

To reach the resort, you will take a boat transfer from Nosy Be, which typically takes between two and four hours depending on sea conditions. Regular boat rotations are scheduled on Wednesdays and Fridays for the return journey, though private transfers or catamaran options for groups of five or more are available.

As an SSI Instructor Training Centre, the resort is a hub for professional development, offering courses ranging from Divemaster to instructor-level certifications. The team brings 16 years of local experience to every dive, ensuring that the specific nuances of the Radama archipelago are well understood.

Safety is a primary focus, with instructors trained in first aid and therapeutic immersion recompression. The centre operates a 'never lost' safety system, equipping instructors with distress flares and mobile phones to manage the challenges of the remote location.

Instruction is available in English, French, and Italian. To maintain a high standard of comfort and safety, the centre limits dive groups to a maximum of four divers per guide.

The training programme covers the full spectrum of diving, from beginner levels like CMAS Level 1 and Open Water Diver to Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to progress their careers, the centre offers Divemaster and Instructor Training Centre (IDC) programmes.

Technical diving is also a core component of the curriculum, with TDI and CMAS technical training available. Specific courses such as Nitrox, PE 12, and PA 60 are also offered, though advanced training should be booked in advance to ensure instructor availability.

The centre operates an open 32 type boat with a capacity for 12 people. The vessel is equipped with a roof to provide protection from the sun during transit and dives.

On board, you will have access to water and refreshments. Nitrox is available for use during your trips.

The centre maintains a high standard of equipment, with BCDs and regulators renewed annually. On-site air is provided by Bauer compressors, which undergo servicing every five years.

Full kit hire is available for those not travelling with their own equipment. For those looking to extend their bottom time, Nitrox is available on request.

The marine life in this area is exceptionally diverse, particularly around the walls and canyons. You will frequently encounter large pelagics such as grey sharks, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, and bull sharks. Scalloped hammerhead sharks and great hammerhead sharks are also part of the local ecosystem.

The reef is home to a vast array of large bony fish, including Goliath grouper, red grouper, and various species of snapper and grouper. Large schools of tuna, including yellowfin tuna and dogtooth tuna, often patrol the deeper sections, while barracudas and jacks move through the currents.

For those interested in macro life, the area offers plenty of discovery. You can find various species of nudibranchs, seahorses, and ghost pipefish, alongside ribbon eels and different types of scorpionfish.

Seasonality plays a role in the larger visitors to the area; whale sharks can be spotted between September and November.

The waters within the bay are generally calm, providing a sheltered environment for diving. However, because the dive sites are isolated and located far from the mainland, the centre takes specific precautions to manage the distance and remote nature of the location.

The best time to visit the Radama Islands is between May and December.