We usually leave around 8 o'clock in the morning for 2 tank dives. We are back between 12.30 and 1.30 AM. Because of the wind starting to blow from noon, afternoons are usually reserved for Discover Scuba programs or dive courses, and occasionally for exploration dives in the canal between Nosy Be and the island of Sakatia which is a well protected area.

When the divers arrive at 8.00 AM, the gears are already loaded onto the boat and we are ready to set off, except if our customers have not yet dived in the center and have to try their material on before their first dive with us.

We then reach the dive sites after 5 to 40 minutes boat ride. According to the season, it is frequent to meet dolphins, whales or whale-sharks. We always stop to watch them and even propose the divers to safely swim with them if they want.

During the pause, between the 2 dives, in the shadow of the boat roof, we offer a snack and fresh water. When we come back to the center, we propose our divers to rest on the armchairs under the shadow of the thatch hut and fill in their dive logs using our library of books on local underwater fauna and flora. PADI or CMAS course books are also available for any help.

The divers can then use the tiled shower, toilets, wash basin and changing room.

After the dives, the material is dealt with by the center staff who has it carried back, rinsed, dried and tied up. Personnal gears can also be stored in the center.

First dive/Discover Scuba program

It is possible to organise a "pre" first dive in the hotel swimming pools (for clients from Vanila Hotel, Grand Bleu, Résidences d'Ampasikely and Belle Plage) and then in the sea off Sakatia or Tanikely. At Madaplouf, everyone makes a success of his first dive as we take enough time to take care of our future divers in order they can enjoy the unique experience of diving in Madagascar. After the first dive a diploma is given to every first diver.

Dives

- In Nosy Be, we do no-deco-stop dives as the nearest hyperbaric chamber is located in Réunion Island. However a safety stop is always done.
- Dive sites : depth from 5 to 40 m, reefs, walls, wrecks, arches... Possibility of night dives.
- Underwater fauna : in addition to usual coral reef fishes (parrot fishes, surgeon fishes, butterfly fishes, wrasses, damsel fishes, trigger fishes, barracudas, trevallies, groupers, bat fishes,...), it is possible to observe turtles, mantas, whale-sharks (May and November), whales (August to October), small reef sharks and dolphins all year round. Corals are colourful, abundant and in very good conditions ; they can be seen on every dive sites. Some fan corals (gorgonians) reach 2 to 3 meter diameter...
- Visibility : from 5 to 30 m. Generally visibility is poor at the rain season and becomes better in April to end very good from June to December. However, it can vary quickly throughout the year due to weather and tide conditions.
- Water temperature : from 28 to 30°C during the austral summer and from 24 to 26°C in winter, whatever the depth.
- Currents : strong or none according to the tides.
- Entering the water : back roll or putting the scuba unit on directly in the water according to the current. A ladder is at your disposal to come out of the water.

Dives are planified according to the level of divers, intensity and direction of the current.

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