Located 3 kilometers from Anantsono, opposite Anakao, Nosy Ve is a coral islet measuring 4.5 km in length and just 1.8 km wide. This secluded spot in southwest Madagascar, while uninhabited and lacking hotel infrastructure, captivates visitors with its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life that divers find mesmerizing.
The island is also home to a unique colony of red-tailed tropicbirds, found only in Madagascar. Nosy Ve is one of the rare nesting sites for these birds in the Southern Hemisphere, alongside Réunion Island.
Nosy Ve’s history is equally remarkable. Arab and European navigators frequented the island as early as the 16th century, seeking the safety it offered compared to mainland Madagascar. In the 19th century, settlers from Bourbon Island established a presence there. Between 1888 and 1897, the island housed a French vice-residency. Today, a few ruins and tombs remain, but the arid land has largely returned to its natural state. Considered a sacred site for the Vorombe cult, the island is protected by numerous local taboos or fady.
Nosy Ve’s fine sandy beaches and its lagoon are stunning attractions. Ornithologists from various countries visit the island to observe the red-tailed tropicbirds that have made it their home. A truly captivating destination where nature reigns supreme.
