NORTH ITINERARY – NOSY
BE – NOSY HARA
Day 1 - Nosy Be /
Tanikely
Embarkation from 9-12
am at Hellville, Nosy Be. After the captain's
welcome briefing, the Maya’s Dugong makes the quick
hop from Nosy Be to the Tanikely marine reserve, an
ideal place to unwind during the first day onboard.
Disembark for a visit of the island's abandoned
lighthouse and spectacular white beaches in the
afternoon, and a first glimpse at Madagascar’s most
famous furry creature - friendly brown lemurs
inhabit the island. You can also take advantage of
the beautiful diving and snorkelling opportunities
here. Before first light the next day, the vessel
sails north toward the group of islands known as
Iles Mitsio.
Day 2 - Grande Mitsio
After breakfast, we
keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as the
Maya’s Dugong completes its journey to Grande Mitsio
and its surrounding isles. There are seemingly
limitless options for snorkelling and diving in this
archipelago, which are famed for its remarkable
basalt rock formations. From the bay of Grande
Mitsio one can also visit the white-sand beaches of
the majestic islet of Nosy Ankarea and its natural
forest which has long been safeguarded for fear of
local fadys (taboos), for a hike up to its
spectacular viewpoint across the neighbouring
islands of the archipelago.
Day 3 - Cap Saint
Sebastien
The Maya’s Dugong heads
further north toward Cap Saint Sebastien, surveying
the seascape along the way for whale-watching
opportunities during the morning. The islands off
this peninsula, which include Nosy Valiha and Nosy
Mandazona, offer great diving and snorkelling
opportunities to discover an array of marine life,
from sea turtles and rays to colourful tropical
fish. Above the water, take in the sights of the
various sea birds which call these islands home, as
the vessel anchors overnight in one of the sheltered
bays of Cap Saint Sebastien.
Day 4 - Nosy Hara
Before first light the
vessel cruises past Cap Saint Sebastien and across
Befotaka Bay, offering morning opportunities for
whale and dolphin watching, before reaching one of
the most beautiful locations in all Madagascar: Nosy
Hara and its surrounding islands, which recently
were granted protected status on account of the
unique ecosystems here. Visit the main island of
Nosy Hara to enjoy the beaches, discover the red
tsingy formations and to visit the local fishing
community. Excellent diving and snorkelling
opportunities also await at reefs around islets such
as Nosy Lakandava and Nosy Anjombavola. These
islands play host to nesting sea turtles, a variety
of sea birds and endemic reptiles and plant life,
new species of which are still being discovered.
Day 5 - Nosy Vaha &
Nosy Fasy
The Maya’s Dugong
cruises a short distance to the north of Nosy Hara,
near the drop-off of the continental shelf and the
idyllic islands of Nosy Vaha and Nosy Fasy. These
tiny islets, with steep-sided cliffs and fringed by
turquoise seas and coral reefs, combine to form a
dramatic backdrop for the exploration of these
islands. After dinner, we begin our journey back
towards the south, bidding farewell to these
isolated isles off Madagascar's northernmost tip.
Day 6 - Iles Mitsio
A return to the Mitsio
archipelago for another day in these unique islands,
with an opportunity to visit the island of Nosy
Lava, as well as near the tiny islets of the Four
Brothers, a series of basalt islands which serve as
nesting sites for frigatebirds and other seabirds.
Consistent with the rest of this archipelago, the
snorkelling and diving in these areas are some of
the best to be found in all of Northern Madagascar.
Enjoy the tropical sunset as the vessel drops anchor
for a final night amidst the scenic isles of Mitsio.
Day 7 - Nosy Komba
The vessel departs from
the Mitsio archipelago in the morning, a perfect
opportunity for whale and dolphin watching and a
closer inspection of any sightings during the cruise
southward. In the afternoon, guests may visit the
volcanic island of Nosy Komba, a nature reserve for
black lemurs, considered sacred by Malagasies.
Various other flora and fauna can be seen here,
including colourful chameleons and turtles, and the
craft village is not to be missed for that treasured
Madagascar keepsake to bring home. Back onboard the
Maya’s Dugong, enjoy a farewell BBQ dinner, before
cruising into Hellville for overnight anchorage.
Day 8 - Nosy Be
After a final breakfast
onboard, disembarkation at Hellville, Nosy Be at 9
a.m.
SOUTH ITINERARY – NOSY
BE – BAIE DE MOURAMBE
Day 1 - Nosy Be /
Kisimany
Embarkation from 9-12
at Hellville, Nosy Be. After the captain's welcome
briefing, the Maya's Dugong cruises to the nearby
Bay of Kisimany to explore the inlets of this area
by paddling, using traditional Malagasy pirogues or
modern kayaks. Diving and snorkelling are also
possible off this area's beautiful fringing reefs.
After a welcome BBQ onboard, the vessel departs
overnight for the archipelago known as Iles Radames.
Day 2 - Iles Radames
The archipelago of Iles
Radames features a handful of beautiful isles that
we will explore on this expedition, many of which
are important nesting sites for sea turtles. First
we visit the deserted white-sand beaches of the
untouched and uninhabited island of Kalakajoro.
There are opportunities to dive near the reef to the
north and snorkel along the coast of the island.
After dinner, the Maya's Dugong cruises southward,
past the Bay of Narendry, toward the Baie de
Mourambe (Moramba Bay).
Day 3 & 4 - Baie de
Mourambe
Prepare to step
backwards in time, as the vessel arrives in the
remote Baie de Mourambe, a seldom-visited area of
unspoilt nature and incredibly unique beauty.
Massive Baobab trees line the coasts here, creating
an incredibly surreal and primeval atmosphere. This
area is home to a range of endemic species including
various species of lemurs, which can commonly be
seen in the wild along the coast, as well as the
critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle. Dive or
snorkel along the reefs, paddle into the many creeks
and mangroves and visit tiny traditional settlements
along the coast, where life seems to stand still.
After two magical days spent in this bay, we ready
for our departure northward before first light of
the next day.
Day 5 - Nosy Lava &
Nosy Saba
As we sail to the north
in the morning, we keep an eye open for humpback
whales and dolphins, allocating time for a closer
view of any encounters. We next pass the former
prison island of Nosy Lava, and toward the small
resort isle of Nosy Saba, for an afternoon visit of
the beaches or some diving and snorkelling along the
reefs. The vessel sails further north in the
evening, reaching the southern isles of the Radames
archipelago for overnight anchorage.
Day 6 - Iles Radames
A full day to explore
more of the Radames archipelago, with the Dugong
visiting both Nosy Valiha and Antanimora, with their
charming local villages, beautiful beaches and
seabird colonies, as well as reefs teeming with
underwater life, ideal for snorkelling or diving.
Day 7 - Baramahamay
The Maya’s Dugong
continues north, anchoring for the day off the mouth
of Baramahamay, otherwise known as the “honey river”
on account of the fresh honey produced by the
villagers along the river. Embark on a Malagasy
adventure by paddling in pirogues or kayaks down the
river and its various creeks, enjoying the exotic
scenery and the charm of the locals, as well as to
explore the dense mangroves and appreciate the
ecology of the area. In the evening, enjoy a final
sunset onboard as the vessel sets out for Nosy Be.
Day 8 - Nosy Be
After a final breakfast
onboard, disembarkation at Hellville, Nosy Be at 9
a.m.
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
Expedition Cruising
with Maya’s Dugong
Expedition cruising is
an incredibly rewarding way to experience a country
like Madagascar.
The sheer size of the
destination, and the distances travelled in between,
allow for a wide variety of possibilities on each
voyage, meaning each version of the expedition takes
on its own unique character.
Thus our Madagascar
expeditions aboard Maya’s Dugong offer travellers a
unique hybrid experience that provides contemporary
comforts and amenities, without sacrificing a true
sense of adventure and the thrill of the unknown.
Lectures &
Presentations
Throughout the cruise
there will be several lectures and film
presentations on a variety of subjects relating to
the expedition.
Timings may vary
depending on the arrivals to various islands and
destinations, but will often be held onboard in the
evenings, prior to dinner.
Attendance of these
presentations is highly encouraged in order for
guests to gain a better appreciation and
understanding of their surrounding environment and
the species they may encounter, but they remain
completely voluntary for guests.
Whale & Dolphin
Watching
Humpback whales and
dolphins may be seen at various points throughout
the cruise, and the vessel may divert from a plotted
course in order to allow for better viewing of these
amazing creatures. As such, please allow for the
possibility that timings to destinations may be
delayed depending on potential whale and dolphin
encounters.
Naturalist Profile -
Michel Vely
Dr Michel Vely, a
professional veterinarian specialised in marine
mammals, is scheduled to be the naturalist leader of
the 2010 expeditions. He has 15 years of experience
in the Indian Ocean, having worked in diverse
locales such as Comoros, Djibouti, Madagascar and,
for the past four years, in the islands of
Seychelles.
Michel is the chairman
of Megaptera, a France-based association for the
study, observation and conservation of marine
mammals and whale sharks (for more information
visit
www.megaptera.org). He also plays an integral
role with the French delegation to the scientific
committee of the International Whaling Commission.
Michel speaks fluent
French and English and is able to conduct tours and
presentations in both languages.
*Should Michel be
unavailable, a suitable replacement with a similar
background will take on the role of naturalist
leader.
