Nosy Mitsio- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Nosy Mitsio is the principal inhabited island within an archipelago situated roughly 70 km north‑east of Nosy Be, Madagascar. The island spans about 12 km in length and rises to a maximum elevation of 206 m, with a small rural population—mostly subsistence rice farmers, fishers and coconut gatherers—living across villages like Antakarana and Akalava. Despite its modest size, Nosy Mitsio offers striking geological features including basalt columns known as the "Organ Pipes", surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, white‑sand beaches, and aquamarine waters. The island lies at the heart of the Mitsio archipelago, a 50–70 km ensemble of volcanic islets hosting rich seabird colonies and vibrant reef ecosystems. Seabirds such as tropicbirds, brown boobies and frigatebirds nest on nearby formations like the Quatre Frères rocks, and marine fauna beneath the surface include green turtles, bottlenose dolphins, rays and abundant reef fish. Access is strictly by boat from Nosy Be and typically involves at least a multi‑day stay, as daily return trips are logistically impractical; once there, you can choose between community-run bungalows or small mid‑range lodges.