Nosy Saba Island Resort
madagascar, madagascar · ★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Nosy Saba Island Resort occupies its own 1.5km private island in the Radama archipelago south of Nosy Be — 16 thatched bungalows scattered around three white-sand coves with the next inhabited islet 12km away. Owned and run by an Italian family who first chartered the island in 2008, Nosy Saba is the most genuinely private-island experience under $1,000 per night in Madagascar: total exclusivity (only resort guests on the island), proper Italian-Mediterranean cuisine (the kitchen makes its own pasta and bread daily, sources fish from the island fishermen, and runs a cellar of 200+ Italian and South African wines), and a barefoot programme of snorkeling, kayaking, sailing-dhow rides, and the option to be dropped on a deserted neighbouring islet for a half-day with a packed lunch. For honeymoon couples this is the value-luxury private island: the rate is roughly half of Tsarabanjina and a third of Miavana, while the seclusion, beach quality, and reef snorkeling are competitive with both. Access is two legs from Tana — Tsaradia flight to Nosy Be (NOS), then a 75-minute speedboat south. The owners' Italian heritage shows in the food, the warmth of service, and the willingness to bend any small request: dinner on the beach is the default, not the upcharge.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Want direct beach access
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
82/100
Book Your Stay
Check availability
We compare Nosy Saba across partners and redirect to the cheapest option.
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Bungalows 14, 15, and 16 sit at the southern curve with the longest empty-beach views and the most birdsong. The Honeymoon Suite (Bungalow 1) at the western point includes a private deck, outdoor shower, and direct sunset alignment over the open Mozambique Channel — this is the dedicated honeymoon request. Bungalows 8–10 sit centrally near the dining pavilion for easiest access to meals.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $850/nt) | $5,950 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $4,760 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $857 |
| Total estimated | $14,567 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Tana Arrival
Land at Antananarivo (TNR) via Paris (Air France direct, 11h), Mauritius, or Nairobi. Overnight transit at Relais des Plateaux near Ivato. First Malagasy meal of zebu carpaccio, grilled rougeret, and Three Horses Beer. The 06:30 morning Tsaradia hop tomorrow.
Speedboat to Nosy Saba
90-minute Tsaradia flight to Nosy Be (NOS), 20-minute road transfer to Crater Bay, and Nosy Saba's 75-minute speedboat south to the resort. Welcome aperitivo and an immediate first swim. Italian-grade lunch (handmade tagliatelle with local prawns), settle into bungalow, and a sunset sail in the wooden dhow. Beach-served dinner under paraffin lanterns.
Reef Snorkel & Deserted Islet
A morning snorkel from the lodge boat to the reef at the northern point — green turtles, eagle rays, octopus, parrotfish in numbers. Drop on a deserted neighbouring islet for a packed picnic lunch (the resort sets up a paraffin parasol and beach mat, collects you 3 hours later). Return for an afternoon swim and a wine-cellar tasting before dinner.
Whale-Watch or Mitsio Day
In season (July–September), a full-day humpback whale-watching trip in the open channel; out of season, the equivalent is the Mitsio archipelago day-trip with the Quatre Frères basalt monoliths and three reef snorkels. Either way, a full day on the wooden dhow with prosciutto-and-melon picnic and sundowners on the return.
Lokobe Forest Day
An ambitious day-trip back across to the Madagascar mainland — 90-minute speedboat to Lokobe National Park near Nosy Be, a guided pirogue paddle into the rainforest with the resident naturalist (black lemurs, Madagascar boa, panther chameleons), and a riverside lunch. Return at golden hour. The only day off the resort during the week.
Spa, Diving & Beach Dinner
Slower day. Morning spa treatment in the open-air pavilion (vanilla-and-ylang-ylang ritual). Divers can book a guided dive on the southern reef wall — 30m+ visibility, white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles. Late lunch, an afternoon swim, and the resort's signature Private Beach Dinner — a candlelit table on the southern point of the island, with the chef sending pasta courses out to the sand.
Final Swim & Speedboat Out
A morning swim, a long espresso-and-cornetto breakfast, and the 09:30 speedboat back to Nosy Be in time for the afternoon Tsaradia to Tana. Connect onward to Paris (Air France), Mauritius (Air Mauritius), or Nairobi (Kenya Airways) — same-day connections work cleanly in dry season.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Access requires three legs — Tsaradia flight to Nosy Be, road transfer to Crater Bay, 75-minute speedboat south; the speedboat is weather-dependent and can be uncomfortable in choppy seas (Jul–Aug winds occasionally cancel the morning crossing).
Antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended for Madagascar — consult a travel-medicine clinic 6 weeks before travel.
Internet on Nosy Saba is satellite-based and limited — adequate for email; not suitable for video calls or streaming.
Nosy Saba has limited OTA inventory — direct booking via nosysaba.com or specialist agents is the standard channel; pricing is published but availability moves quickly.
Cyclone season (mid-January to mid-March) brings genuine weather risk and the resort typically closes February to mid-March; honeymoon timing is best May–November.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon inquiry — Nosy Saba Island Resort Dear Nosy Saba reservations, We are planning our honeymoon for [DATE]–[DATE] (7 nights) and are interested in the Honeymoon Suite (Bungalow 1) or alternatively Bungalows 14–16 at the southern curve. Please advise on availability, speedboat transfer schedule from Nosy Be, and the deserted-islet drop excursion. Thank you, [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Good for honeymooners?
Nosy Saba is the value-luxury private island in Madagascar — total exclusivity (only resort guests on the island), genuinely good Italian cuisine, and three white-sand beaches across a 1.5km islet for half the rate of Tsarabanjina. For honeymoon couples who want a private island without the Miavana price point, this is the answer.
Best time to visit?
May through November is dry season — calm crossings, clear water, excellent snorkeling. July through September is humpback whale season. Avoid January through mid-March (cyclone closure).
Book in advance?
The Honeymoon Suite (Bungalow 1) and Bungalows 14–16 (most secluded) book 4–6 months ahead in high season. With only 16 bungalows on the island, capacity is meaningfully capped — Christmas, Easter, and Italian-summer August require a year's notice.
Adults-only?
Nosy Saba welcomes families but the small (16-bungalow) configuration and the all-island programming skew adult; honeymoon couples, milestone-anniversary travellers, and Italian regulars dominate the mix.
Best room type?
The Honeymoon Suite (Bungalow 1) at the western point with sunset alignment and private deck is the dedicated honeymoon room. Otherwise, Bungalows 14–16 at the southern curve for maximum seclusion.
How to get there?
Fly to Antananarivo (TNR), connect on Tsaradia (90 minutes) to Nosy Be (NOS), road transfer 20 minutes to Crater Bay, then Nosy Saba's 75-minute speedboat south. The resort handles all transfer legs once you land in Nosy Be.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
