Open mid-March to mid-January · Nosy Sakatia, Madagascar

Sakatia Lodge beach

Plan Your Stay

Everything you need to know before you arrive

We answer every question personally, but here is the most common information to help you plan.

Island essentials

What to know before you arrive

Climate

Tropical. Open season runs mid-March to mid-January. Dry season (May-Oct) is cooler; wet season (Nov-Jan) is warmer. Cyclone season (Feb-mid March), lodge closed.

Currency

Malagasy Ariary (MGA). Euros accepted at the lodge. ATMs available on Nosy Be, bring sufficient cash. Lodge balance settled in Euros on departure.

Health

Malaria prophylaxis strongly recommended. Consult a travel health clinic before departure. Mosquito nets provided in all rooms. Nearest clinic on Nosy Be.

Visa

Most nationalities receive a visa on arrival. Typically 30–60 days. Check current requirements for your passport with the Malagasy embassy or your foreign affairs office.

Packing

Light, natural fabrics. Sun protection essential. Reef-safe sunscreen only, standard chemical sunscreens damage coral and are discouraged. Good walking sandals. Waterproof bag for pirogue crossing.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi at the lodge. Mobile signal is limited and unreliable on the island. Most guests treat the connectivity limitations as one of the best parts of the stay.

Come to sakatia Lodge

Start planning your visit

Send us a message with your dates and we'll get back to you with availability and rates.

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Airlines flying to Nosy Be, Madagascar

Common questions about
the journey

Fly to Fascene Airport on Nosy Be (NOS), with direct flights from Antananarivo and some regional connections. From Nosy Be, we arrange a road transfer to the pirogue departure point at Ambatozavavy or Djangoa, then a 15-20 minute traditional pirogue ride to Nosy Sakatia. We coordinate all transfers when you confirm your booking.
Yes. We arrange all transfers as part of your booking, from Fascene Airport (or your Nosy Be hotel if you're arriving separately) to the pirogue point, and the boat crossing to the lodge. Let us know your arrival time and we'll handle the rest.
Six airlines currently serve Nosy Be across 15 direct destinations: Air Austral, Airlink, Ethiopian, EWA Air, Madagascar Airlines and Neos. Neos is currently the only airline flying non-stop from Europe to Nosy Be, with some European routes seasonal. For South Africa specifically, Airlink flies direct from Johannesburg to Nosy Be. We're happy to advise based on where you're flying from.
The pirogue crossing from the mainland departure point takes roughly 15-20 minutes in normal conditions. The crossing can be slightly longer in rougher weather. The pirogues are traditional outrigger canoes, a beautiful way to arrive, but note they're open boats. Your luggage will be covered.

Fly to Nosy Be

With Airlink

Getting to Sakatia Lodge is now even easier with Airlink, our official airline partner.

Once you land at Fascene Airport, our team will coordinate your onward transfer by road and traditional pirogue, so your journey from airport to island feels simple, seamless and beautifully part of the adventure.

Whether you are travelling for diving, whale shark season, barefoot family time or a quiet escape, Airlink connects South African guests directly to Madagascar’s island north.

Book your flight with Airlink, then send us your arrival details, we’ll take care of the rest.


Connect Directly to Airlink Here: Fly with Airlink

View of Sakatia island from the water

Everything you might
want to know

Most nationalities receive a visa on arrival at Antananarivo or Nosy Be airports. Visas can also be purchased online in advance — check the official Malagasy e-visa portal before you travel. The visa-on-arrival is typically valid for 30 or 60 days depending on your nationality. We recommend checking the current requirements for your passport before travelling.
We're not medical professionals and this isn't medical advice, please consult a travel health clinic before you travel. Common recommendations for Madagascar include hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies for those venturing further afield. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised, consult your doctor about which medication is most suitable. Nosy Be has year-round mosquitoes and the lodge provides nets in all rooms.
The local currency is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA). Euros are the easiest foreign currency to use in Nosy Be and at the lodge — notes only, no coins accepted. USD is also accepted: notes must be dated 2017 or newer, and $1 notes are not accepted. A bureau de change and ATM are available at Fascene Airport on Nosy Be — we recommend exchanging what you need there on arrival. The lodge is not a bank and does not change money or facilitate card-to-cash transactions.
Nosy Sakatia has a tropical climate. The lodge is open mid-March to mid-January. The dry season (May–October) has cooler temperatures, lower humidity and the best diving visibility. November–January is warmer and more humid with occasional rain, but visibility is still good and whale sharks are more frequent. We close during the cyclone season (February–mid March).
Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodge. Connection speeds are reasonable but this is a remote island and you shouldn't expect big-city broadband. If you're planning to work remotely, please contact us in advance to discuss your needs.
The lodge runs on a generator that operates during daytime and evening hours. Power is available for phone and device charging. Standard European-style sockets (Type C/E) are used. The generator does not run 24 hours, this is part of the island experience. Torch/headlamp recommended for late nights.
Yes. Nosy Sakatia is a very safe, tranquil island with a small local community. The lodge has been operating for over twenty years without significant security incidents. Standard travel common sense applies, don't leave valuables unattended on the beach, etc. Madagascar overall requires normal awareness when travelling, but the island itself is relaxed and welcoming.
Family on the beach at Sakatia Lodge

Rates, deposits
and booking questions

The minimum stay is 4 nights. This applies to all accommodation types. We strongly recommend staying longer, most guests who stay 4 nights wish they'd stayed longer. Many end up extending.
Yes. All stays include breakfast and dinner in the restaurant. Lunch is available separately at the bar. A complimentary glass of rhum arrangé is served with dinner each evening.
A deposit is required to confirm your reservation. The deposit amount and terms are confirmed at the time of booking. The balance is settled on departure. Please see our terms and conditions for full booking and cancellation policy.
Our cancellation policy is outlined in full in our booking terms. In general: cancellations more than 60 days before arrival receive a partial refund; cancellations within 60 days may not be refunded. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellation. Please <a href="/contact">contact us</a> to discuss your specific situation.
Yes, when submitting your enquiry, you can note a room preference. We'll do our best to accommodate requests, but specific room allocation is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Yes. Children are welcome at Sakatia Lodge. Please let us know the ages of any children in your group when you enquire so we can prepare appropriately. Some activities (diving, night excursions) have age or experience restrictions.
Nosy Sakatia is a natural island with uneven terrain, sandy paths and steps in some areas. The lodge is not fully accessible for guests with significant mobility restrictions. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs before booking.