Madagascar: A Unique Island Escape for Families and Honeymooners
Cockerels Sifaka’s at Tsingy Bay Hotel
Madagascar isn’t your typical Indian Ocean beach destination, and that’s exactly why I’d recommend it to our clients.
I travelled there recently with my husband and the boys, looking for a holiday that combined time on the beach with something more interesting. Madagascar delivers that effortlessly, offering a mix of relaxed island living and completely unique wildlife experiences.
What sets it apart is that over 90% of Madagascar’s wildlife is found nowhere else on earth. So even a simple beach stay becomes something far more interesting
SUP in the bay at Nosy Sakatia
Nosy Sakatia: Snorkelling with Turtles Right Off the Beach
Nosy Be is the main gateway with weekly flights in and out, and from there we transferred by road and boat to Nosy Sakatia.
This is where Madagascar is at its easiest. Quiet, unpretentious, and genuinely relaxed.
The highlight here was the snorkelling. Right off the beach, we were grabbing our snorkling gear (the lodges also provide) and swimming with giant green sea turtles, feeding in the seagrass beds. It’s one of the most reliable places I’ve seen for this, not an excursion, but something you can experience throughout your stay.
We did a day private boat trip to Nosy Iranja where we walked along the famous sand spit between the islands, swimming in warm, clear water, and stopping for a simple beach lunch set up by our captain.
We also headed out on a whale shark excursion. While we didn’t see them (always a possibility with any wildlife), we were lucky to spend time with a playful pod of dolphins and saw rays moving through the water. Madagascar’s marine life is incredibly rich so there’s always something to see.
The private beach at Tsara Komba
Luxury Madagascar: Time + Tide Tsara Komba
From there, we moved across to Nosy Komba and stayed at Time + Tide Tsara Komba -one of the most exclusive lodges in Madagascar.
With just eight suites, it’s intimate, private, and incredibly well positioned. The rooms are set into lush jungle gardens along the hillside, each with uninterrupted ocean views.
This is where I’d confidently send honeymooners or high-end travellers looking for something more unique and up market than a traditional resort.
We took the complimentary kayaks and kayaked along the coastline to a nearby reef where we snorkelled in some of the clearest water of the trip, surrounded by an incredible variety of fish. Back at the lodge, days were spent between the pool, exceptional food, and simply slowing down and enjoying the view.
One of the standout experiences was an evening boat trip into the mangroves on mainland Madagascar, excellent birdlife and a completely different perspective on the destination. Here we had sundowners at sea and watched one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen.
Parsons Chameleon
Wildlife in Madagascar: Lemurs, Chameleons and More
To add another layer to the trip, we visited Lokobe Reserve.
This is one of the last remaining areas of primary forest in the region, and it feels completely wild. We saw black lemurs, sportive lemurs, chameleons, geckos, and boas on our trek and swam under a waterfall in the middle of the forest.
Finally we visited a small reserve and market on Nosy Komba, where we all did a little bit of shopping. Ylang Ylang oils, vanilla pods and madagascar chocolate all made their way home with us… we just wish we had bought more!
Madagascar is one of the best places in the world for wildlife lovers who want something different to a traditional safari. For me it opened up a whole new world of incredible wildlife encounters and gave us some very special family time and memories.
Black lemurs on Nosy Komba
Why Book a Madagascar Holiday?
Madagascar fills a very specific gap in travel, and it does it well.
It’s ideal for:
Honeymoons looking for something unique and less conventional
Families wanting a mix of beach, wildlife, and adventure
Repeat Africa travellers who have “done safari” and want something new
You get:
Warm, swimmable beaches
Exceptional snorkelling and marine life
Rare and endemic wildlife
Rustic beach stays and boutique, high-end lodges
All in one trip.
Sunset at the exclusive Tsingy Bay Hotel
Plan Your Madagascar Trip with Us
Madagascar isn’t a plug-and-play destination, and that’s exactly why working with the right team matters.
We design seamless Madagascar itineraries that combine the best islands, lodges, and experiences to suit your style of travel – all from personal experience.
If you’re considering Madagascar for your next holiday or honeymoon, get in touch with us at go@journeysbyemerge.net or explore more of our favourite island and safari combinations across Africa.
Final Thought
Madagascar isn’t trying to compete with destinations like Mauritius or the Maldives, it offers something very different for people looking for more than just time on the beach.
It’s a little raw, completely unique, and for the right traveller, one of the most rewarding places you can go.