For many travellers, Madagascar has long existed in the imagination as somewhere wonderfully wild and difficult to reach. An island filled with lemurs, ancient baobabs, remote beaches, and landscapes found nowhere else on Earth. And while Miavana by Time + Tide certainly feels remote once you arrive, getting there is far simpler and more seamless than many people expect.

As with many extraordinary destinations, the journey becomes part of the experience itself.

Miavana is accessible only by helicopter, adding a final layer of excitement to the journey. Yet from the moment guests land in Madagascar, every step is carefully coordinated by the Miavana team, making the adventure remarkably smooth.

Where is Miavana?

Miavana by Time + Tide is located on Nosy Ankao, a private island off the northeastern coast of Madagascar. Surrounded by coral reefs, turquoise waters, and untouched beaches, the island forms part of a secluded archipelago accessible only by helicopter.

Our island home sits within one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the Indian Ocean, and we are proud to help protect it. Beyond the shoreline, mainland Madagascar is home to wildlife and ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth, and, with helicopters on standby, it is all just a short scenic flight away.

Is Madagascar Difficult to Reach?

One of the biggest misconceptions about Madagascar is that it is complicated to access. In reality, there are multiple international routes into both Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city, and Nosy Be in the north of the country, with straightforward onward connections.

The final helicopter transfer to Miavana is fully arranged by the Miavana team, including Meet & Greet services, visa assistance, luggage handling, and coordination between flights, making the journey feel far more seamless than many guests expect.

International Flights to Madagascar

We recommend flying directly into Nosy Be. With Miavana’s helicopter transfer departing directly from Nosy Be airport, landing here is the perfect jumping-off point for your Madagascar adventure.

International airlines flying to Nosy Be, Madagascar include:
– Airlink via Johannesburg
– Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa
– Air Austral via Réunion
– EWA Air via Mayotte
– Neos via Milan
– Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (Seasonal and codeshare routing may vary)
*Flight schedules and routing are subject to change.

Journeys into Madagascar often begin in Antananarivo, the country’s colourful highland capital. Spread across a series of hills, the city offers a first glimpse of Madagascar’s energy and atmosphere, with its layered history, bustling streets, and distinctive Malagasy culture. However, both Miavana by Time + Tide and Time + Tide Tsara Komba are located in northern Madagascar, meaning all journeys starting in “Tana” must continue with a short domestic flight north to either Nosy Be or Diego Suarez. Depending on flight schedules, some guests may need to overnight in Antananarivo before continuing onwards, and our team of Travel Designers can arrange the best hotels for a comfortable and seamless stay before the next stage of the journey.

International airlines flying to Antananarivo, Madagascar include:
– Airlink via Johannesburg
– Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa
– Kenya Airways via Nairobi
– Emirates via Dubai
– Turkish Airlines via Istanbul
– Air France via Paris
– Air Austral via Réunion
– Corsair International via Paris
– EWA Air via Mayotte
*Flight schedules and routing are subject to change.

The Best Travel Routes to Madagascar

How to Get to Madagascar from the United States
Travellers from the United States typically connect through either Europe, the Middle East, or East Africa before flying into Madagascar. Popular routes include:

USA → Addis Ababa → Nosy Be
USA → Johannesburg → Nosy Be
USA → Paris → Nosy Be
USA → Dubai → Antananarivo

For many guests travelling from the United States, Madagascar is a journey worth lingering over. Rather than rushing in and out, many choose to extend their time in this part of the world, whether by exploring more of northern Madagascar with a stay at Time + Tide Tsara Komba or pairing Miavana by Time + Tide with a second African destination such as Zambia. Combining island living with the extraordinary rhythm of safari at our Time + Tide properties, or with other wildlife destinations like Kenya or Tanzania, creates a truly unforgettable African journey.

Insider Tip: Airlink offers a quick and easy flight from South Africa to Madagascar, with a direct flight from Johannesburg to Nosy Be in just 3.5 hours. This is an ideal option for those wanting to combine a beach and bush holiday with Cape Town and safari lodges in South Africa. — Julie Tucker, Time + Tide Senior Travel Designer

How to Get to Madagascar from the UK
The most common routes from the UK connect through Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa. Popular routing options include:

London → Addis Ababa → Nosy Be
London → Paris → Nosy Be
London → Johannesburg → Nosy Be
London → Istanbul → Antananarivo

Because of Madagascar’s position in the Indian Ocean, guests are often surprised to discover that flight times from Europe are comparable to destinations such as the Seychelles and, in many cases, even shorter than journeys to the Maldives.

How to Get to Madagascar from Europe
Europe offers some of the easiest flight connections into Madagascar, particularly through Paris and Istanbul. Guests travelling from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland typically connect through:

Paris → Nosy Be
Italy → Nosy Be
Istanbul → Antananarivo
Addis Ababa → Nosy Be

Paris remains one of the most common gateways into Madagascar, reflecting the long historical and cultural ties between Madagascar and France. As a former French colony, Madagascar still carries strong French influences today, from language and cuisine to architecture and education, making Paris a natural and well-connected entry point for many international travellers.

Insider Tip: Guests flying Business Class with Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa receive complimentary access to the airline’s Cloud Nine Lounge. With quiet seating areas, Ethiopian coffee, showers and generous dining options, this loung makes the journey onwards to Madagascar feel far more relaxed and comfortable. 

Domestic Flights Within Madagascar

If your flight lands in Antananarivo, you must continue north with a domestic flight operated by Madagascar Airlines, Madagascar’s primary domestic airline. Flights typically route to either Nosy Be or Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), depending on your international routing and preferred helicopter transfer time.

Madagascar Airlines operates smaller regional aircraft throughout Madagascar, connecting some of the country’s most remote and hard-to-reach areas. While schedules can occasionally shift, the airline plays an essential role in linking the island’s north with the capital and wider international network. Our team carefully coordinates these connections alongside your helicopter transfer to ensure the smoothest possible journey.

For many guests, Nosy Be is the most convenient option. Located off Madagascar’s northwestern coast, the island has a relaxed tropical atmosphere and receives a growing number of international arrivals, allowing some travellers to avoid an additional domestic connection entirely. Fascene Airport is relatively small and easy to navigate, and from here, Miavana’s helicopter transfer departs directly for the scenic one-hour flight to Nosy Ankao.

Others choose to route through Antsiranana, still widely known as Diego Suarez, a historic port town at Madagascar’s far northern tip. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, sweeping bays, and scenic coastline, Diego feels distinctly different from the tropical island atmosphere of Nosy Be. While international access is more limited, many guests choose this route specifically because it offers a shorter helicopter transfer to Miavana of approximately 30 minutes. Diego is the preferred choice for arrivals by private jet charters.

The Helicopter Transfer to Miavana

Access to Miavana is exclusively via helicopter. We have both a Robinson R66 helicopter and an H130 helicopter, flown by highly experienced pilots familiar with the region’s coastline and conditions. Far from feeling like a transfer, the helicopter journey to Miavana feels like the beginning of the adventure. As the coastline slips away beneath you, Madagascar unfolds in fragments below: coral reefs, empty beaches, forests, mountains, and, during certain times of year, even whales moving through the Indian Ocean. By the time the island appears on the horizon, many guests already feel they have entered another world.

“From the moment we stepped into the sleek turquoise helicopter and flew over the turquoise waters coming close to a multitude of whales with babies we knew we had made a good choice.” – Emmanuel D, Miavana Guest

Helicopter transfer times:
From Diego Suarez: approximately 30 minutes
From Nosy Be: approximately 60 minutes

Insider Tip: Both helicopters are fitted with headsets and in-flight communication systems, allowing guests to chat comfortably with one another and with the pilot throughout the journey. Along the way, pilots often point out significant landscapes, remote villages, reefs, and seasonal wildlife sightings, while a custom-curated Miavana playlist sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

For those wanting a little preview of the journey, listen to the playlist here.

Part of what makes arriving at Miavana by Time + Tide so unforgettable is that the journey slowly strips away the outside world. Cities give way to coastline, roads disappear, villages become reefs and tiny islands scatter across endless blue water. By the time the helicopter circles low over the island’s beaches and turquoise bays, guests already feel as though they have left the ‘real world’ behind.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Madagascar difficult to travel to?
One of the biggest misconceptions about Madagascar is that it is difficult to access. In reality, there are several straightforward international routes into both Antananarivo and Nosy Be, with onward domestic connections and helicopter transfers carefully coordinated by the Miavana team. While the island feels wonderfully remote once you arrive, the journey is often far smoother than guests expect.
  
What is the best time to visit Madagascar?
Madagascar is a year-round destination, with each season offering something different. The cooler dry season between May and October is particularly popular for comfortable temperatures and wildlife viewing, while the warmer months bring lush landscapes, dramatic green scenery, vibrant marine life and excellent diving conditions, depending on your destination.

Do I need a visa for Madagascar?
Most travellers can obtain a tourist visa on arrival in Madagascar. Miavana’s Meet & Greet team assists guests through the arrival process, including visa formalities, luggage handling, and coordination between flights.

Why do guests fly directly into Nosy Be?
Where possible, many guests choose to fly directly into Nosy Be as it allows them to avoid an additional domestic connection within Madagascar. With Miavana’s helicopter transfer departing directly from Nosy Be airport, it offers one of the most seamless routes into northern Madagascar.

Why would I choose Diego Suarez instead of Nosy Be?
Antsiranana, still widely known as Diego Suarez, offers a shorter helicopter transfer to Miavana by Time + Tide of approximately 30 minutes, compared to around one hour from Nosy Be. Some guests prefer this option if they are arriving via private charter directly into Diego, or if they are arriving via Tana and connecting on a domestic flight to Diego.

Is the helicopter transfer to Miavana worth it?
For many guests, the helicopter transfer becomes one of the highlights of the entire journey. Far from simply being transportation, the flight offers breathtaking views of coral reefs, beaches, forests, remote villages, and the Indian Ocean below. During certain times of year, guests may even spot whales from the air.

What makes travelling to Miavana worth it over other destinations in the Indian Ocean such as Maldives or Seychelles?
While all of these destinations offer exceptional island experiences, Miavana by Time + Tide combines ultimate adventure with access to one of the most biologically unique places on Earth. Beyond the beaches and marine experiences, guests can explore mainland Madagascar by helicopter, encounter lemurs and chameleons right on their doorstep, visit remote villages, and experience landscapes found nowhere else in the world.

Can I see lemurs while staying at Miavana?
Absolutely. Miavana is home to a small population of crowned lemurs, who are often spotted around the island and occasionally even visit the villas. For guests wanting to explore further afield or encounter additional species, helicopter excursions to mainland Madagascar offer the opportunity to discover the island’s extraordinary endemic wildlife, including lemurs, chameleons, baobabs, and landscapes found nowhere else on Earth.

Can I combine Madagascar with safari?
Many guests combine Miavana by Time + Tide with safari destinations in Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, or Kenya. Our Jetset Safari pairs Madagascar with Zambia, allowing guests to experience both island living and one of Africa’s last truly wild safari destinations in a single journey.

How many days should I spend in Madagascar?
Madagascar is best experienced slowly. Many travellers choose to spend at least 7 to 10 nights exploring northern Madagascar, combining time at Miavana by Time + Tide with additional stays such as Time + Tide Tsara Komba to experience both the marine and mainland sides of the island.

Our seven-night escape invites guests to discover the “forgotten continent” through two very different but deeply connected landscapes. Begin amongst the lush forests and coral gardens of Tsara Komba before surrendering to the gentle rhythm of the Indian Ocean on the private shores of Miavana. From a hidden forest retreat to barefoot luxury on a private island, the journey brings together two extraordinary sides of Madagascar in one unforgettable adventure.

Is Madagascar worth the long journey?
For many guests, the remoteness is precisely what makes Madagascar feel so special. The island offers a rare sense of discovery, combining extraordinary biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, rich culture, and experiences that feel genuinely untouched. By the time guests arrive at Miavana, many already feel they have entered another world entirely.

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