Madagascar's Perfume Island — where black lemurs leap through primary rainforest, turquoise lagoons ring coral reefs, and the air itself smells of ylang-ylang. A tender port with big wildlife rewards for those who venture beyond the dock.
Ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers to the working port in Hell-Ville (Andoany), Nosy Be's main town.
💡 Pro move: Tenders may not be suitable for passengers with mobility limitations. Check with your ship. Island roads are narrow and traffic can be slow — build in a 2-hour buffer for distant sites like Andilana Beach.
All cruise ships tender to the working port pier in Hell-Ville; there is no dedicated cruise terminal.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (MSC, NCL, Holland America, Oceania, Seabourn) | Hell-Ville (Andoany) tender pier, Nosy Be📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition ships | Hell-Ville tender pier or small boat landing📍 | Tendered |
Nosy Be's headline draws are its endemic wildlife and surrounding islands — most require a boat or taxi, but all are reachable on a port day.
Nosy Be's last primary rainforest, reachable by taxi then traditional pirogue. Local guides lead you through dense canopy to spot black lemurs, panther chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, and frogs found nowhere else on Earth.
Find Lokobe wildlife tours →A short boat ride from Hell-Ville, this volcanic island has semi-habituated black lemurs that climb onto your shoulders. Combine with a stroll through the fishing village and local craft market.
Find Nosy Komba boat tours →A marine sanctuary island with vibrant coral gardens, reef fish, and sea turtles visible from the surface. One of the best snorkeling spots in the Indian Ocean and easily done as a half-day boat trip.
Find Nosy Tanikely snorkel tours →A short tuk-tuk ride from the port, this eco-park lets you walk among lemurs, giant Aldabra tortoises, and chameleons, then tour the historic ylang-ylang distillery set amid century-old perfume groves.
Find Lemuria Land tours →The island's finest beach — a mile of white powder sand at the northern tip, framed by calm turquoise water. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood; artisans sell vanilla and crafts. Taxi journey of ~45-50 minutes from port.
Find beach taxi & day tours →Drive to the highest point on Nosy Be (329 m) for 360-degree panoramas over the island, eight sacred volcanic crater lakes, and the Mozambique Channel stretching to the horizon.
Find Mont Passot tours →Hell-Ville's flat waterfront is walkable from the tender pier, though the midday heat makes tuk-tuks the sensible choice beyond the port area.
From the tender pier, stroll along the waterfront, then cut uphill to Bazar Be — the bustling central market filled with heaps of vanilla beans, ylang-ylang oil, fresh spices, and cheap local souvenirs. Keep an eye on belongings in the market crowd.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →A 200-year-old sacred banyan tree spreading over 5,000 square metres in the village of Ampombolava. Entry requires removing shoes and wearing a traditional wrap (provided). A quiet, unusual stop before heading to the beaches.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Nosy Be Island, Diana, Madagascar (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 83°F / 28°C | 75°F / 24°C | 29 | 5:31 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Feb | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 27 | 5:45 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Mar | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 28 | 5:50 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Apr | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 24 | 5:53 AM | 5:40 PM |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 75°F / 24°C | 17 | 5:58 AM | 5:27 PM |
| Jun | 81°F / 27°C | 72°F / 22°C | 13 | 6:07 AM | 5:27 PM |
| Jul | 80°F / 27°C | 71°F / 22°C | 10 | 6:10 AM | 5:35 PM |
| Aug | 81°F / 27°C | 71°F / 22°C | 13 | 6:01 AM | 5:41 PM |
| Sep | 82°F / 28°C | 72°F / 22°C | 16 | 5:41 AM | 5:42 PM |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 74°F / 23°C | 20 | 5:21 AM | 5:44 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 26 | 5:09 AM | 5:53 PM |
| Dec | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 29 | 5:14 AM | 6:09 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Ships tender directly to the pier at the edge of Andoany (Hell-Ville), the island capital. The town center, market, and colonial buildings are steps away on foot.
Three-wheeled auto-rickshaws are plentiful at the tender pier for short hops within Hell-Ville. Negotiate fare before you board — no meters used.
Taxis wait near the pier for trips further around the island. Always agree on a price upfront; half-day private hire typically runs $40–$50 USD.
Services like MadaAssist and Transfeero offer pre-booked private drivers in sedan, SUV, or 4x4 — ideal for remote beaches or full-island touring.
Hell-Ville's market, waterfront, and main street are easily walkable from the tender pier — great for exploring the town's colonial-era character.
Upcoming cruises that call at Nosy Be Island, Diana, Madagascar. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.