Help Required - Madagascar

[Andy Goldby]

Has anyone dived around Madagascar?

We are planning on going there in Sept and want to know of anyones experiences diving around;
Isla St. Marie
Ifaty, or
Nosy Be

In particular ....
which operators (if any) will let you get in the water with the Humpbacks around St. Marie?
recomendations for a days diving around Ifaty?
what should we do with 4 days diving in Nosy Be? Liveaboard or staying on one of the islands?

Many Thanks

Andy

[nturner30]

I don't know which dive outfits will let you scuba with whales in Madagascar, but other places where whales also migrate, scuba is prohibited, the guidelines suggest that swimming, not diving, is less stressful for the mother and especially calf.

Hate to be a wet blanket but in a rare instance, I'd actually suggest snorkelling over diving. Have a great time, but do a bit of research and don't go with any dive shop that makes money out of upsetting these amazing giants - a good place would put the whale first.