Scuba Nosy Be

Scuba Nosy Be is a long-standing diving institution situated on the beach of Ambodrona in Madagascar. With two decades of local expertise, the centre has become a cornerstone for the diving community, serving as the headquarters for the Malagasy Diving Federation (FMPSM) under CMAS recognition.

The centre provides access to a diverse range of marine environments, from shallow reef flats and coral gardens to deep walls and wreck sites. Whether you are looking for a relaxed reef dive or a technical excursion to distant islands like Mitsio or Nosy Saba, the operation is built on a foundation of local knowledge and structured safety protocols.

As an official Instructor Training Centre, the facility is geared towards high-level instruction across multiple agencies, including SSI, PADI, CMAS, and FFESSM. The team manages everything from basic Scuba Diver courses to professional levels such as Divemaster and Assistant Instructor training.

Instruction is delivered in English, French, Italian, and Polish, making it accessible for international divers. To maintain a high standard of safety and personal attention, the centre operates with a strict ratio of maximum four divers per guide. For those pursuing professional pathways, the centre provides small groups for training, with a maximum of three students per instructor during course modules.

The training programme is extensive, covering all major certification levels through SSI, PADI, CMAS, and FFESSM. Beginners can start with Scuba Diver or Niveau 1 courses, while advanced divers can progress through Advanced Open Water, Master Diver, or specialized FFESSM levels like PE 40 or PA 40.

Specialty training is a core part of the curriculum, including Nitrox, Deep Diver, Wreck, Stress and Rescue, and Sidemount. The centre also offers niche skills such as underwater photography, marine ecology, and navigation. For technical divers, instruction is available for Extended Range Nitrox and rebreather diving via IANTD.

The centre operates four small boats, allowing for flexible daily itineraries and different destinations depending on the conditions. Each boat carries a capacity of eight divers, typically organised into two buddy pairs of four.

For longer excursions, such as trips to Nosy Iranja or Nosy Komba, the boats facilitate full-day trips including meals. For those looking to venture further afield, the centre organises bivouac cruises to remote islands. Nitrox is available for use on these trips.

The shore-based facilities include a full range of rental kit, including BCDs (stab jackets), wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins. The centre maintains a high standard of maintenance, with regulators, wetsuits, and BCDs replaced every two years, and compressors serviced every four years.

Technical divers can access specialized gas blending, with Nitrox and Trimix available on-site. The centre utilises aluminium S80 (11.1L) cylinders with DIN and yoke valves, and 15L steel cylinders can be reserved in advance for those requiring more bottom time.

The marine life is diverse, ranging from large pelagics to intricate macro life. On the deeper walls and drop-offs, you can encounter hammerhead sharks, grey sharks, reef whitetip sharks, and leopard sharks. During the right seasons, the area becomes a hotspot for humpback whales (August to October), manta rays and mobula rays (August to December), and whale sharks (mid-September to mid-December).

The reef systems are home to a vast array of fish, including large groupers, barracuda, tuna, and various species of snapper and trevally. You will often see sea turtles and large stingrays gliding over the sandy patches or near the reef edges.

For those interested in macro photography, the sites offer plenty of subjects, including nudibranchs, seahorses, frogfish, and various scorpionfish. Look closely among the corals to find leaf scorpionfish, stonefish, and various species of anemonefish.

The hard and soft coral life is spectacular, with giant gorgonians defining the landscape of the deeper canyons. The reefs are also characterised by large tables of Madrepore corals, sponges, and various colourful soft corals that provide a complex habitat for the local fauna.

Diving in Nosy Be is heavily influenced by tidal movements; many of the best sites, such as Abyss or Rochinie, should only be visited during a rising tide to ensure the best experience. Currents can be present, particularly around the walls and banks.

The best time to visit is from May to the end of October, when temperatures are around 26°C. From November to April, the water is slightly warmer, reaching 28-29°C. It is advisable to avoid the months of January, February, and March due to the rainy season and the risk of cyclones.