Mada Scuba

Located just 20 metres from the Ambatoloaka beach in Nosy Be, Mada-Scuba provides a dedicated space for divers looking to explore the Madagascar archipelago. The centre operates with a philosophy of taking time and respecting the local environment, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for both exploration and training.

The centre is ideally positioned for accessing the surrounding marine parks, including the Nosy Tanikely reserve. Whether you are here for a single morning dive or a multi-day training programme, the focus remains on high safety standards and personalised instruction.

The team is led by a highly experienced professional, holding both CMAS 3* and SDI instructor qualifications with over 20 years in the industry. This depth of experience ensures that teaching is tailored to the specific needs and comfort levels of every diver.

Safety is a core priority, supported by the instructor's background in the merchant navy. The centre maintains a strict diver-to-guide ratio, limiting groups to a maximum of six divers per guide to ensure close supervision and a more intimate experience on the water.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of training through both CMAS and SDI affiliations. Beginners can start with a Scuba Discovery or a Niveau 1 FFESSM/Open Water SDI course, progressing through the levels to Advanced SDI, Rescue Diver, and eventually Divemaster.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers specific training in wreck diving and deep diving. The curriculum is designed to be adaptive, ensuring that the pedagogy matches the individual's progress and skill level.

The centre operates a 7.4m Vandamme open hull boat, powered by a 150 ch Yamaha engine. The vessel is designed for comfort and efficiency, featuring a taud to provide shade from the sun and a GPS, sounder, and chart reader for precise navigation.

Designed to carry up to 9 divers, the boat is ideally suited for small groups. For those on morning dive trips, the boat is equipped with essential safety gear, including oxygen, a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher. During the surface interval between dives, tea, fruit, and cakes are provided on board.

Mada-Scuba is a SCUBAPRO SEA partner, ensuring that the kit available for hire is well-maintained and reliable. The full range of equipment includes BCDs, regulators, full wetsuits, shorties, computers, compasses, and SMBs (parachutes). Steel cylinders are also used on site.

Shore-based facilities are designed for convenience, with the centre situated just a short walk from the beach. The team can also arrange to collect you from your hotel or the beach to make the transition to the boat as smooth as possible.

The reefs around Nosy Be are teeming with life, from large schools of fish to delicate macro species. You can expect to encounter various reef fish including snappers, fusiliers, damselfish, and wrasse, alongside larger predators such as grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus), and whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus).

In the sandy areas and reef flats, look for blue-spotted stingrays, guitarfish, and various species of rays. You may also spot turtles, including the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), as well as moray eels (Muraenidae) and barracudas.

The macro life is particularly rewarding for observant divers. The sites host a variety of nudibranchs, seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), frogfish (Antennarius), and pipefish, alongside various species of shrimp and crabs.

The seascape is defined by healthy coral structures, including gorgonians, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various soft corals (Alcyonacea), which provide the essential habitat for the many species of crustaceans, such as spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) and lobsters (Homaridae).

Diving is primarily conducted in the morning to take advantage of the best conditions. It is generally advised to avoid afternoon dives, as this is when the area often experiences increased wind and swell.

Local weather patterns can affect the sea state, so the morning schedule is designed to ensure the most stable and comfortable diving experience possible.