Madagascar is one of the largest islands in the world. This country never ceases to fascinate vacationers, thanks to the beauty of its nature. That is why tourist activities contribute greatly to the success of its overall economy.
The Red Island does not lack magnificent places to impress foreigners. If you are traveling with family, children love visiting Andasibe Park, Tsingy de Bemaraha Park, Ranomafana Park, Isalo National Park, and many others. For water sports enthusiasts, the country is full of the best spots perfect for most aquatic activities.
Compared to Tamatave or Tulear, Diego-Suarez is still little known by travelers. However, this capital of the northern region has everything to please them. To learn more, we suggest you consult this article.
Where does the name Diego-Suarez come from?
Diego-Suarez is located in the far north of the country. This region is otherwise called Antsiranana in Malagasy, meaning where there is salt. With an area of 47 km², it is surrounded by the Mozambique Channel to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is the 3rd largest port in Madagascar.
It is home to more than 100,000 inhabitants. Diego-Suarez is the capital of the Antakarana ethnic group and the Diana region. It is a cosmopolitan city as it hosts many Indians, Comorians, Somalians, Europeans, Yemenis as well as Merina or the ethnic group from the highlands.
It owes its name to the Portuguese explorers Herman Suarez and Diego Diaz. In the 16th century, they were the first Europeans to land on the Red Island. Originally, the region was only a pirate hideout, but it later became a favorite place for the French in the Indian Ocean during the colonial era.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Diego-Suarez served as a station and transit point for sailors, legionnaires, and soldiers of the French colonial empire. Thanks to its strategic position in the north of Madagascar, it seemed easy for them to monitor the southern Indian Ocean area.
In 1947, more and more British soldiers lost their lives during Operation Ironclad. The locals buried them in the city cemetery. Until 1973, Antsiranana or Diego-Suarez served as a fleet base for the French armies. Then the city continued to evolve to have its architectural style today.
How to get to Diego-Suarez from Antananarivo, the country’s major city?
With savannas, primary forests, white sandy beaches, abundant flora and fauna, mountain ranges, and pretty fishing villages, Diego-Suarez offers you a postcard-like setting. A variety of colors compose the city, thanks to the mix of lush vegetation, turquoise water, yellow taxis, and pastel tones of the buildings. To discover the region, it is important to be well informed about the available means of transport.
Once you are in the capital Antananarivo, you have at least two options to reach Antsiranana. If you want to explore the Red Island thoroughly, you can go to Diego-Suarez by road. Either you take a shuttle or you rent a car.
For the first option, it is the most affordable means of transport, but the slowest to reach the northern part of the country. It takes you a few days on the road to cover a distance of 1115.1 km.
If you plan to rent a vehicle, know that the large city of Antananarivo is full of many rental agencies ready to assist you. It is safer to make a reservation in advance to avoid ending up with a car of poor quality.
This journey can be divided into 2 stages, from Antananarivo to Ambanja then Ambanja to Diégo-Suarez. Of course, the trip allows you to discover countless breathtaking landscapes. However, it can become exhausting and boring over time. It is not easy to drive for several hours.
Thus, there is nothing more comfortable than coming to Diégo-Suarez by plane. The trip lasts only about 2 hours 30 minutes. Although flying is the most expensive option, it offers you invaluable time savings to fully explore the city and its natural treasures.
What is the best season to visit Diégo-Suarez?
You are eager to explore the region’s bays and stroll on its most beautiful beaches. Before planning your trip, please first find out about the most suitable season to go to Diégo-Suarez.
In general, this coastal city pleases those seeking unlimited summer climate. With 26 °C throughout the year, the temperature is stable, allowing you to enjoy sunny skies. Additionally, Antsiranana enjoys a mild climate due to the offshore wind coming from the north called Varatraza. It must be said that the climate generally seems pleasant all year round.
In any case, the weather is particularly ideal between the months of May to November. If you dislike rain, know that the rainy season is between December and February. It should be noted that the showers are often brief and then the sun shines again. You can therefore walk around the city everywhere.
If you cannot plan your departure between May to November due to work or personal reasons, you have the option to postpone it to the month of April. The climate is similarly favorable, despite irregular rains. With an average temperature of 25 °C, the water temperature is suitable for swimming.
Ramena, the most beautiful beach in Madagascar
The Ramena beach is not only the most paradisiacal in Diégo-Suarez, but on the entire island. Ramena is nothing other than a small fishing village located about twenty kilometers from Diégo-Suarez. This distance from the city is especially its charm to be featured in the ranking of the most beautiful seaside resorts in the world.
Ramena offers you up to 3 km of white sandy beaches. With clear, calm, and wave-free sea, the opportunity is perfect for relaxing, sunbathing, and enjoying the water. Even better, it is possible to engage in several water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and kitesurfing.
Many tourists also prefer to take a boat excursion to admire the bay of Diégo-Suarez. If they come at the right season, they will have the opportunity to observe whales and dolphins.
Once there, the days pass entirely in calm, away from stress. Time does not matter and seems to stop. The place is beautifully arranged to meet the needs of vacationers. Numerous hotel infrastructures suit all budgets. As for accommodation, several options are available such as luxurious rooms, suites, guesthouses, bungalows, or lodges.
Hotels and restaurants organize various types of leisure activities on the beach or outdoors. For example, they plan hikes or day trips to explore the nearby fishing villages. Others invite their guests to participate in water sports such as jet skiing or windsurfing.
How to discover the 3 bays of Diégo-Suarez?
When you pass through the region, the 3 bays are among the must-see places to visit. These are the Sakalava Bay, the Pigeon Bay, and the Dunes Bay. To explore them, it is recommended to take part in 4×4 excursions. In most cases, the presence of one or two guides may be essential. They provide you with all the necessary information about the place and guide you on the roads.
To start, most choose to discover the Dunes Bay. For this, you must pass through the fishing village of Ramena. Don’t hesitate to take the opportunity to admire the emerald sea and many other sites with stunning landscapes. The Dunes Bay stands out for its turquoise water, its beautiful beaches, and its superb underwater scenery.
You also have the possibility to access the Sakalava Bay directly. It offers you the chance to see baobabs, an imposing tree symbolizing the perpetuity of life, reincarnation, and wisdom. In addition, you can spot endemic flora and fauna such as chameleons, lemurs, orchids, and much more.
As for the Pigeon Bay, it is the ideal site for you to relax and reconnect with nature. Like the other two bays, it offers you magnificent fine sandy beaches. But for swimming, it should be noted that the waves can be strong at certain times.
What natural reserves to explore in Diégo-Suarez?
Diégo-Suarez or Antsiranana is not only known for its beautiful sandy beaches or its spacious and peaceful 3 bays. This region is also distinguished by its diverse fauna and flora, most of which live in national parks.
The Ankarana Special Reserve is one of them. Located 108 km from the city of Diégo-Suarez, it is particularly rich in fauna. More than fifty species of mollusks as well as snails can be found there. That’s not all, the place houses half of the bat families of the red island. That is why it mainly interests scientists and researchers.
This reserve also hosts about sixty species of amphibians and reptiles as well as numerous species of lemurs. Guides can help you encounter them while, of course, respecting the rules of the area.
Regarding the flora, it is similarly very varied as it consists of at least 330 species. Almost all the trees have deciduous leaves. They mainly bloom between September and November.
Besides the Ankarana Reserve, the Amber Mountain National Park attracts many visitors each year. It is located in the Diana region and its massif covered with virgin forest reaches an altitude of 1,475 m. It offers a beautiful setting that delights hikers.
It is noted that many animals find refuge there, including 19 families of mammals, among which 8 are lemurs. Among the most remarkable species are the red mouse lemur and the crowned lemur.
Besides that, you can also encounter about forty species of reptiles, including around ten species of chameleons. If you like birds, the park hosts approximately 77 species, most of which are endemic.
What are the historical sites to visit in Diégo-Suarez?
This region in the north of the country is rich in culture and history. It should be noted that the architectural style of the city evokes the colonial era. You can still spot remnants of colonization. Despite this, the missionaries also brought incredible development to the structure of the settlement. They built churches and many administrative buildings.
That said, the Fort of Diégo-Suarez is among the historical places not to be missed during your stay. It bears witness to the region’s history and played a role in its defense. During your visit, be sure to attend the various exhibitions to learn about its history.
Similarly, please visit the Place de la République. It is surrounded by colonial buildings that recall the city’s past. It should be noted that the downtown area of Diégo-Suarez is somewhat a ghost town. You will find many ruined and uninhabited houses.
During your visit, don’t forget to stop by the Naval Museum. It is also a very fascinating historical site. Be sure to attend the different exhibitions that help you learn about the maritime history of Antsiranana.
It is also pleasant to visit the old English cemetery. It contains up to 300 graves of African, English, and Indian soldiers. They lost their lives during deadly clashes between British forces and colonial authorities in 1942. The cause of the war was related to the acquisition of the region due to its strategic location.
Besides that, don’t forget to explore the local markets, Windsor Castle, Place Joffre, as well as the old French quarters in the city of Diégo-Suarez. Otherwise, please discover the Orangea beach where the remains of an old French military camp are located. Stroll through the city’s alleys to admire the charm of colonial architecture as well as the treasures of craft workshops.
The Red Tsingy: a top adventure destination in Diégo-Suarez
Besides the Ramena beach, the Ankarana reserve, and the emerald sea, the Red Tsingy are among places of exceptional beauty. It is a unique geological formation in the world located about 65 km from the city of Antsiranana.
The Red Tsingy are the result of erosion of red rock. They stand out for their pretty shimmering color and their unmatched shape. The canyon is carved by the river, revealing red-colored geological formations. It is the combination of many oxides that gives them this warm color.
Besides its unique shape, the site can change from year to year. It is possible that heavy rains wash away some gorges and create new ones. Many visitors compare two photos of the Red Tsingy landscapes taken years apart. The difference is then obvious.
This tourist spot is distinguished by its scenery resembling a Hollywood Wild West. Vacationers love taking photos to immortalize their trip to Diégo-Suarez. To access it, it is recommended to rent an off-road vehicle like a 4×4. You should prepare yourself as most of the passages seem very challenging.
What are the other tourist places to discover in Diégo-Suarez?
This part in the north of the large island is teeming with countless paradisiacal places. It is no surprise that it is among the dream destinations for vacationers.
They greatly enjoy exploring the sacred lake of Amparihy. As its name so aptly suggests, this natural site is classified as sacred by the locals. It is filled with legends that make it a fascinating and mysterious destination, arousing travelers’ curiosity.
The botanical garden also continues to attract more tourists. It particularly brings together a wide variety of Aloe vera species. Most have medicinal properties. They are used in the international pharmaceutical industry.
To spot other interesting sites, it is recommended to participate in countless hikes and organized excursions in Diégo-Suarez. You don’t have to go very far, as the city itself can fascinate you with its local markets, welcoming population, lively streets, and much more.
