Safari Sakatia

“A day among the giants of the sea and the green turtle sanctuary.”

Join us for a day of total immersion in Nosy Be Bay. Early in the morning, we set off to explore in search of megafauna.

Under the expert guidance of our guides, you will have the privilege of observing, depending on the season, majestic humpback whales or swimming with the fascinating whale shark, often accompanied by the spectacle of playful dolphins.

For lunch, we will head to Nosy Sakatia to enjoy carefully prepared local specialties by the water's edge, with our feet in the sand and under the shade of palm trees.

In the afternoon, you can observe green turtles. A seagrass bed well protected from the swell attracts giant herbivorous turtles, which come here to feed in peace. Equipped with a mask and snorkel, we will go to meet them. This peaceful snorkeling experience allows you to observe these beautiful turtles in their natural habitat without disturbing them.

Excursion Itinerary

Our Nosy Sakatia safari is led by a specialized marine wildlife guide and an experienced skipper.

8:00 AM Departure from the Safari Baleine office, Madirokely, or your hotel in Nosy Komba.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Guide briefing, search, observation and, in season, swimming with whale sharks.
12:30 PM Arrival at Nosy Sakatia island and lunch on the beach.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Snorkeling with giant green sea turtles and island tour.
3:00 PM Return trip.

Species

Dolphins

Humpback dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and stenella dolphins are present all year round in the Nosy Be region. Offshore in pods of several dozen individuals or near the coast in small groups, we will have the opportunity to approach and swim with these marine mammals, which are sometimes shy but more often playful.

Stenella dolphins are small dolphins that live in large groups and can be observed offshore. They frequently perform spectacular jumps and spins out of the water. They can also be encountered while scuba diving. They do not hesitate to approach boats and come and play at the bow. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops) are found everywhere. Encountered offshore or near the coast, they travel in small groups. Often curious, they are one of the few dolphins with which you can spend several tens of minutes in the water.

Humpback dolphins live near the coast in small groups and are the least curious and least demonstrative. However, they can still be quite playful when they have young.

We also encounter, more rarely: spotted dolphins, false killer whales, pilot whales, long-beaked dolphins, etc.

The Humpback Whale:

“Between August and November, you can witness the extraordinary spectacle of humpback whale mating rituals!”

In Antarctica, humpback whales gorge themselves on krill during the few months of the southern summer, before traveling thousands of miles to reproduce and give birth in the warm, tropical waters of Nosy Be Bay.

Groups of males gather around a female and engage in jousting that can last several hours. Jumps, tail and pectoral fin slaps, charges, leaping out of the water, and songs are all part of their courtship rituals. We regularly witness touching scenes between calves and their mothers. The Safari Baleine team invites you to enjoy this magnificent and moving spectacle in Nosy Be Bay.

The Omura's whale:

This whale was identified as a new species in 2003 by a team of Japanese scientists, and its presence in the waters of Nosy Be was officially confirmed by the World Conservation Society in 2015...!

These discreet whales rarely show their tail fins. Slender in shape, they measure between 10 and 15 meters and weigh between 15 and 20 tons.

The whale shark:

“The whale shark is considered the largest fish in the world.”

It can grow up to 18m long, but the individuals generally observed in the bay are juveniles ranging in size from 3 to 9m.

le requin baleine, le plus gros poisson de monde

Rhincodon typus, this giant of the seas feeds mainly on plankton and krill, but also eats tiny crustaceans and fish. It filters food-rich water and expels it once it has been stripped of its nutrients. The whale shark can consume up to 1 ton of food per day. It is ovoviviparous like some sharks (nurse shark). The young develop in an egg and must hatch before being born by the mother. The female can contain up to 300 eggs.

Whale sharks migrate long distances, following the proliferation of plankton in warm and temperate waters. They can travel thousands of kilometers in a matter of weeks or months. Their only known predators are killer whales and humans. Their meat and fins are highly prized in China, and the method used to harvest them from the sea is barbaric. Safari Baleine takes you to meet them and offers you the exceptional opportunity to swim alongside them with just a mask and snorkel! The whale shark is placid and harmless by nature, with a tendency to swim near the surface, making swimming with them an unforgettable experience that is accessible to everyone.

Learn more about our participation in the scientific program.

Sakatia Safari Prices

75 € / Person *
- 30% discount for children under 12.
- Transport and wildlife searching.
- Lunch and water.
- Snorkeling gear.
- 5 €/person for pickups outside Ampangorina.

Book this excursion

(*) We offer packages and discounts for 2 or more excursions. Private boat for 1 to 4 pax: 600 €, 5 to 8 pax: 750 €, 9 to 12 pax: 900 €. contact us

FAQ

When is the best time for the Sakatia Safari?

The Sakatia Safari is available year-round, but the species observed in the morning vary by season. For humpback whales, the best period is from August to November. For whale sharks, the ideal season runs from September to December. Green turtles, however, are present all year round in the Sakatia seagrass beds.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer for the Nosy Sakatia excursion?

The excursion is accessible to everyone. Turtle watching is done by snorkeling (fins, mask, snorkel) in shallow seagrass beds well-protected from the swell, offering very calm swimming conditions. Additionally, our experienced guides accompany you in the water to ensure your safety and help you spot the animals without disturbing them.

Are sightings guaranteed?

Nature decides! Since we operate in the wild and not in a closed park, there is no absolute guarantee. However, our deep knowledge of seasons and animal behavior allows us to maintain a very high success rate. We will always do our absolute best to offer you these magical moments.

Safari Sakatia

“A day among the giants of the sea and the green turtle sanctuary.”