In 1965 it was named Marine Park and Integral Reserve by the WWF after finding out the natural heritage laying above and below the surface of the volcanic island Nosy Tanikely.
Unfortunately, the project faded away after a few years but on March 4th 2010 it was finally re-elected Marine Park thanks to the help of the “diving federation of Nosy Be”.
Afterwards, some wrecks were sunk a few miles from the Park in order to ensure the indispensable fishing activity for the local inhabitants, thus preserving the marine flora and fauna of the Park and creating new dive sites and restocking the sea at the same time. Up to now, both vegetation and deep water areas of Tanikely have been able to reflourish agan; that is why we kindly ask you not to undermine the delicate ecosystem by ruining corals or feeding fish.
A 20.000Ar fee (about € 8) has been introduced for its maintenance, but Manta Diving takes it on itself for the guests.
Special health areas have been built as well as “but watching” areas, a small photo gallery, and the disused lighthouse is now used as a panoramic observatory.
Some activities are forbidden, such as camping, lighting fires, cooking and swimming using flippers in low water near corals. This is a way to protect both them and ourselves.
As you reach the shallow waters of the Marine Park, about 6 miles from our diving center, you can immediately realize how different the sea is compared to the waters surrounding the coast of Nosy Be: crystaline and rich in marine flora and fauna.
Leaving from the beach you can enjoy an unforgettable experience accompanied by diving instructors; if you are not a diver yet, you can try the DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING, an amazing underwater experience that will allow you to fly thanks to the absence of gravity, surrounded by bright and colored corals in total safety.
The first flat reef begins a few meters from the beach, which makes it perfect even for those who want to go snorkeling accompanied by our trained rescue guides.
A little further the real reef begins. It slopes gently and there you can enjoy a colorful aquarium where it is possible to meet: barracudas, ignobilis carangidae hunting their preys, nice imbricate turtles, plataxes, nudibranchs which are constantly recorded by a multitude of marine biologists, clouds of fusiliers and reef fish. As far as corals are concerned, they range from soft to hard with spiral gorgonias, bubble coral, fungus, acropora and so on.
THE 3 DIVING SITES: the Aquarium, Puffolandia Reef and West point can be reached by boat. They range from a 6 meter depth to a 20 meter depth. They are great to get acquainted , and perfect for us to understand your needs , but also for those who have not practiced for a while.
Although we consider them as “adaptation” dives, do not forget that you are still diving in a Marine Park that is considered one of the best in Nosy Be.
Its depths are home to lots of species, such as gorgonias, pinnacles, small walls and reefs gently sloping; you can see pelagic fish, you can muck dive among soft corals and meet frog fish welcoming you.
