Diego Suarez
Antsiranana also known as Diego Suarez, is situated in the extreme north of Madagascar and is considered one of world’s most beautiful and widest bays. The city is built around the picturesque bay, modern in appearance but has retained the charm of an old French colonial city. Lying within the Indian Ocean waters is an island hill called Sugar Loaf, truly a fabulous landmark which is extremely popular with photographers.
Diego Suarez has a multi-cultural society and many colonial buildings still stand, most of them crumbling and flaking, yet the columns and balustrades lends a certain elegance to the city. A real tropical languor exists where locals and tourists lounge around and assume a laid-back attitude. The area is famous for its exquisite handicrafts made of zebu horn and sea turtle shells which is sold at the marvellous markets and handicraft shops. Enjoy staying in the splendid variety of excellent hotels offering spectacular views over the bay. Stroll the clean streets and take a break at one of the many Arabic tea parlours, French cafes and Italian bakeshops.
The city is the gateway to Montagne d'Ambre and Ankarana National Parks offering astonishing beautiful landscapes, roughly 20 kilometres of maintained trails allowing close contact with the lush vegetation and rich wildlife, several crater lakes, stunning sacred waterfalls and being a true rainforest, it is a botanist’s dream. Swim in the natural pool at the base of La Grand Cascade or venture out to the gorgeous coconut tree lined Ramena Beach located 20 kilometres south from the city. This is the perfect venue for water sport lovers to partake in wind and kite surfing as well as dragnet fishing. Centrally situated from Ramena Beach and Diego Suarez is the Montagne des Français offering awe-inspiring views and good bird and Sanford’s brown lemur sighting prospects. Adrenaline seekers can explore the caves and partake in rock climbing. Diego Suarez has a unique appeal, slightly decayed but hauntingly interesting, a place full of charisma and should not to be bypassed en-route to more popular attractions.
