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Introducing Diego Suarez & Around
It’s still the country’s undug tourism sapphire, but don’t expect the Diego Suarez area to stay this way forever. The regional tourism board is working hard to get the place on the world’s adventure map, and we guess it won’t take long. This region pretty much sells itself. With two bodies of water – the Canal de Mozambique and the Indian Ocean – that sparkle the colour of Madagascar’s famous sapphire, swaying coconut palms, white-sand beaches and a lack of sprawling resorts, this region is perfect for those in search of a private beach paradise.
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And the region has a lot more than beaches. It’s also rich in other natural wonders – from forests of red rock tsingy (karst, or limestone pinnacles) to hike, to two national parks so diverse and undiscovered that new lemur species are still identified in them each year.
Beside the town of Diego Suarez, which is the main hub of activity but not necessarily the most beautiful place to stay, there are three gorgeous bays with a scattering of accommodation options for all budgets. You can stay in a honeymoon suite with a round bed and private balcony at a gorgeous hillside resort, or in rough traditional bungalows smack in the poor fishing village of Ramena. Some find the latter a bit too uncomfortable, while others see it as an opportunity to experience local life. The choice is always yours.
Regardless of where you choose to slumber, there’s plenty of activities to keep you from getting restless. Try snorkelling in the Emerald Sea, where you can walk out to the fish, then dip your head into the sparkling clean water and have a real look. The Diego Suarez region is also ground zero for Madagascar’s burgeoning adventure-sports industry. For now kite-boarding and quad- and dirt-biking on dunes and homemade tracks are the two major activities. In Diego, you can organise tours and excursions to anywhere in northeastern Madagascar, and both the parks and beaches are near enough to be visited on a day trip from town.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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