When to Visit Nosy Be: Month by Month — Sésame
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
Some mornings in Nosy Be, the sea lies perfectly still — glassy, silent, the horizon dissolved into sky. Those mornings happen most reliably between May and October. The rest of the year has its own character: different light, different quiet, a different kind of island altogether.
The peak season: Jun to October
From June to October, the south-east trade winds settle over the archipelago. They take the edge off the heat without making things cool — temperatures hold between 25 and 27°C — and the sea flattens out to near-perfect sailing conditions. Underwater visibility can reach fifteen metres. The more distant islands — the Mitsio archipelago, the Radama group — become comfortably accessible.
The light is at its sharpest during these months. Mornings open on an unbroken sky. Sunsets watched from the water take on a quality that is difficult to describe and easy to remember.
April — June: the opening of season
April and May mark the start of the peak climate season. The rains pull back, skies clear, and the sea settles into its dry-season calm. It is also when bookings accelerate — the early weeks are already in demand. High-season rates apply from 1 April.
June holds the same fine weather while shifting to low-season pricing at Sésame. For those who know Nosy Be well, it is often the month of choice: full-season conditions at a quieter pace, with anchorages to match.
July — August: the heart of the season
The two most sought-after months of the year. The sky holds a deep, consistent blue. Snorkelling visibility can reach fifteen metres. Days on the water stretch long and unhurried. Passages towards the Radama islands are done in excellent conditions.
It is also the French school holiday period. Families tend to book several months in advance, and rightly so — the Sésame is chartered exclusively to one group at a time, and these weeks go first. If you are travelling with children, early booking is essential.
September — October: the golden extension
September keeps the qualities of high summer while the crowds thin out. Like June, it pairs peak-season weather with low-season rates. It may be the most rewarding month of the year for those who plan carefully.
October returns to high-season pricing, and earns it. The light grows warmer and more golden as the day ends. Nosy Be's dense interior vegetation contrasts with the deep blue of the sea, and the beaches of the Mitsio islands remain quiet. October is also whale shark season.
November: the shoulder season
Until 15 November, conditions remain generally good and high-season rates apply. Heat builds again, humidity returns. After the 15th, the first tropical showers arrive — brief, intense, followed by sun. The sea stays navigable on most days, but shorter circuits of three to five days around the nearer islands suit this period better than longer passages north.
The wet season: December to April
Nosy Be does not shut down in the wet season. It changes.
Temperatures climb to 30–32°C. Humidity is constant. The rains — often heavy — sweep through in the middle of the day and clear quickly. Mornings and evenings remain beautiful. The island is greener, colours more saturated, the fishing villages quieter and more available.
From mid-December to 10 January, high-season rates apply, carried by the Christmas and New Year holiday period. For those who want to spend Christmas or New Year's Eve at sea, it is a distinct experience — tropical warmth, clear starred nights, grilled fish and cocktails at sunset.
January to March is the slow period of the year. The sea can be rough and longer passages are inadvisable. Short circuits remain feasible in good weather — the nearer islands such as Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Tanikely are accessible. Rates are at their lowest, and solitude is all but guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Nosy Be?
Climatically, from April to October. July and August offer the most stable conditions, but June and September deliver nearly identical weather with fewer boats on the water. For a full picture of what to prepare before departure, our practical guide to planning your trip to Nosy Be (sent with every quote request) covers many of these questions in detail.
Can you sail during the wet season?
Yes, with care. Short circuits — the Évasion, three to five days — remain entirely feasible in good weather. Captain Augustin adjusts every itinerary to real-time conditions. Safety comes before the programme, and the crew's knowledge of these waters is built over years.
How far in advance should I book for peak season?
For April and August, a minimum of six months ahead is strongly advisable. The Sésame accommodates only one group at a time — always in full privatisation — and the most popular weeks fill quickly.
Is there a value window — good conditions at lower rates?
June and September are the two months that offer peak-season weather at low-season pricing. The sea is calm, the islands quiet, and the crew entirely devoted to your group — exactly as at any other time of year.
Your pace, your itinerary, your crew — entirely yours. To plan your voyage aboard the Sésame, get in touch for a personalised quote :
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