Making the most of Nosi Be Hell Ville
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Because vessels moor or anchor here, tenders carry passengers ashore at Hell Ville Cruise Port.
The city is 3km away. Taxis usually wait at the pier for journeys farther afield, but inspect the vehicle and agree a fare before leaving. Drivers who speak English are scarce.
Shuttle transport is generally supplied.
Bring a printable map.
Hellville takes its name from Admiral de Hell, an early French Governor.
Known as the “Perfumed Isle,” Nosy Be draws visitors with the restorative aromas of vanilla, ylang-ylang, saffron and cinnamon, while extensive beaches encourage longer stays. Madagascar’s largest offshore island offers a select few unity with nature and the sea. Explore green forests and vivid blue volcanic crater lakes, hear the island’s natural chorus and encounter Madagascar’s native, mysterious lemurs. If an exclusive island paradise exists, it may be Nosy Be.
The small island name Nosy-Bé means “big island,” an idea also reflected in its magnificent beaches and underwater scenery. Travel from Hell-Ville port to Lokobe Nature Reserve to see Canarium madagascariense and Potameia crassifolia, enormous trees reaching 40 m. Alternatively, sail to Nosy Komba and its immense crater cone, measuring 5 km across. Nosy-Mangabe adds another major Madagascar attraction with 520 hectares of striking rainforest. Smaller wonders also exist: the smallest chameleon in…
Sandy beaches bordered by palms and charming hotels invite unhurried swimming and sunbathing. At low tide, however, the beaches are not particularly attractive.
Getting around
Boats and taxis can both be hired. A trip by boat to Lemur Island costs about $15.00 per person,
Food and shopping
Town-centre shops and pier sellers carry embroidered tablecloths, shirts, blouses and children’s clothing. Popular alternatives include local perfume, spices, carved wood and woven-straw products. The Malagasy franc is the local currency, though most retailers take U.S. dollars.
Money
The ariary is the monetary unit and predates French rule. Malagasy franc banknotes also displayed their ariary value (50000 francs = iray alina ariary = one million ariary). One ariary is worth roughly half a U.S. cent.
Staying connected
Remarkably, all of Madagascar shares one Austronesian language: Malagasy, pronounced ‘Malagash’ or ‘Malgash’ rather than as written. The island’s size has produced many dialects. Merina, spoken around Antananarivo’s highlands, is its “Official Malagasy,” and most Madagascans use Merina throughout the country.
Madagascar’s second official language is French, used in daily business by government and major companies, although 75-85% of Malagasies have only limited ability. Madagascans often presume foreigners speak French and can therefore use several phrases. Local people welcome and encourage attempts by outsiders to learn Malagasy.
English became the third offical language in 2007, but very few residents speak it.
Free WiFi is provided by many cafés.