NB - These are samples only and are very likely to differ at the time of charter
All charter boats offer much the same sort of itinerary for the standard six day charter. However, if you prefer to stay longer a combination of these two itineraries is possible. Please remember that the route you take is ALWAYS at the discretion of your skipper; he will know where the best weather is at the time, the sea conditions and will also take into consideration what your interests are as well as the "make up" of your party. In other words he will look at the ages of your group, the sex and the objective of your trip.
His decision is final and should not be interfered with.

The Radamas (south):
Day One: It is most likely that you will spend your first night at anchor in Nosy Be as your flights generally arrive in the late afternoon. You will be met at Nosy Be airport and transferred by taxi and then by dinghy to your boat.

Day Two: Whilst you laze in your bed the crew will up anchor at the crack of dawn to get you on your way as soon as possible. You will stop at Tanikely, just about an hour from Nosy Be, to enjoy your first experience of what Madagascar has to offer below the surface of the sea. Tanikely is a marine reserve and as such is an exceptional example of a pristine coral reef. Swimming with the turtles is almost guaranteed and the variety of clams, corals and fish is mind boggling. You can stretch your legs by walking up to the old lighthouse and you may encounter the group of wild lemur that are resident on the island.

When you are ready you will up anchor and move on to Russian Bay. In 1905 a Russian Naval boat was sent to patrol the Mozambique Channel during the Russo/Japanese war. However, on entering this bay in search of fresh food and water the sailors soon decided to chuck in the war effort and mutiny. There was no resistance from the officers and so, the entire crew, sank their boat and set up a base on one of the beaches. There they remained enjoying the local rum, women and life until the last one died of malaria in 1935.

You will overnight here, take time to go ashore and wander the beach - if you look carefully in the dense bush you will see a few graves and the remains of a wall built by the happy sailors.

Day Three: It's always an early start in Madagascar. It gets light at around 5am and dark before 6pm. One adjusts quickly as the morning is the coolest part of the day but if you prefer to laze in bed - you are welcome to. Someone can bring  you fresh coffee in bed!

Today you make your first stop at "James Bond Island". No one is really sure the real reason for this name except that it does look like something straight out of a Bond movie. Before arriving you will circle a peculiar monolith that sticks out of the water. Totally vertical cliffs all around the Sugarloaf or Fifth Brother (see The Four Brothers on the other itinerary) are home to many seabirds. Fady (local superstition) has it that you cannot touch or climb this rock, you will not survive. Your boat will anchor in shallow water about 5m in depth and nearby the island.

The snorkelling here is wonderful and we suggest you jump off your boat and take a leisurely swim to the beach going from bommie to bommie before beaching yourself in time for a picnic lunch and icy cold drinks brought to you by your crew. (NB this is a bit tide dependant as there is not much beach at high tide).

Look across the channel to the main land and note the damage that a cyclone can do. The chunks of toppled concrete were once a lodge in the making. The owner never returned to complete it.

After lunch you will set off for Baramahamay. (Pronounce Barra mah my). You will probably arrive here in time to visit the village and wander around meeting the children. Mainly surviving on fishing and boat building this village is completely removed from the world as we know it. They do have a battery operated radio which plays music for a few brief moments in the evening before darkness comes and with it, bed time. There is a small school here, a shack made of local materials with two rooms. One is the high school and the other the primary. Each has a blackboard, a few chairs and desks and a poster or two. We encourage our clients to pack a few items in their luggage like pens, pencils, erasers, chalk, exercise books etc that they can drop at this school. Financial aid is not welcome as it may get into the wrong hands and cause friction and jealousy. The local kids will come and greet you with smiles and requests for sweets. This is the only time that we suggest you give freely to the locals.

At the end of the day you will enjoy sundowners on deck with (hopefully) an incredible sunset at the mouth of the river.

Day Four: You will spend a few hours at sea before arriving at the Radamas Islands. Here you will find some of the best diving sites in northeast Madagascar - challenged only by the Mitsios. Set in a stunning coastline of bays backed by high mountains each island has something to offer. For the fishermen amoung you there is an inspiring 100m drop off to go to and wonderful reef species to catch. For the divers/snorkellers there are endless wonders to explore. Fan corals wider than a man’s arm span; giant clams, anenomes, urchins, zebras and angels, squirrel fish and goat fish, "Nemo"s galore, Napoleon fish and Triggerfish. You name it, it's here. Spend days glorying in Mother Nature's spectacle - seemingly undamaged and undisturbed.

Overnight in the peaceful anchorage of Nosy Ovy, Nosy Kalakajoro or Antany Mora.

Day Five: See day four.

Day Six: Head off back towards Nosy Be but not without a lunchtime stopover at one of the most beautiful Indian Ocean islands of all. Nosy Iranja is, in fact, two islands at high tide but one at low tide. Joined by a 750m sandy spit with crystal turquoise sea on either side this is paradise indeed. On the smaller of the two islands is a lodge with a successful turtle nesting programme and on the larger side is a small village. A walk through the village is worthwhile as it will lead you up to the top of the hill where the views are breathtaking. You will also come across an old lighthouse built by Gustav Eiffel of tower fame. The lodge does not welcome non residents.

Snorkelling is pleasant but not incredible. After lunch, as you continue on your way back, you are very likely to come across a school of dolphin. They will join the boat and play for a while before disappearing back to do whatever it is dolphins do all day.

Overnight at Nosy Komba. The fishing en route is normally good (we had an incredible two hours here November 2008 catching marlin, King Mackeral, Kingfish, Baracuda and sighting Swordfish, and Eagle Ray leaping out of the water, dolphin and a whale and her calf!

Day Seven: Sadly your final day but still exciting things to come! Your crew will take you over to the island nice and early. You will be guided up to the Lemur Park where you will entice these endearing animals down from the trees with a banana. Cameras ready to catch that "lemur on the shoulder" experience. A bit further on you will have a very close encounter with a Madagascar Boa, delightful creatures!! There are a few tortoises and probably a chameleon or two to look at but it is really the lemurs you are here for. Ignore the commercial side of this and just enjoy them for what they are. You will have time to wander the markets on the beach selecting some great souvenirs and gifts to take home. Don't forget to bargain!

Depending on your flight times or further plans your boat will drop you back at Nosy Be in time for your transfer to the airport. If you are staying at one of the recommended hotels then your boat will drop you on the beach nearby.

The Mitsios (north):
Day One: As with the first itinerary you will probably spend your first night at anchor in Nosy Be.

Day Two: With an early stopover at Tanikely Marine Reserve you will proceed to Nosy Sakatia. The snorkelling here is a basket of treats and if you are missing terra firma there is a good lodge within dinghy distance where you can enjoy a sundowner.

Day Three: It's a six hour slog up to the Mitsios with nowhere to stop en route. However, during the day you will pass the Four Brothers or Le Quatre Frere. The story goes that there were originally five brothers, and you can in fact see the base where the fifth stood. But the four brothers objected so strongly to Number Five's birds and the noise and mess they made that they threw him out of the family. He moved south - birds in tow - and can now be found, a lonely monolith, just south of Russian Bay. (See the Radamas itinerary)..

Shortly after this is a geological phenomenon known as the Organ Pipes. This is one of the few examples world wide of this phenomenon. When a thick lava flow cools it contracts vertically but cracks perpendicular to its directional flow with remarkable geometric regularity - in most cases forming a regular grid of remarkable hexagonal extrusions that almost appear to be made by man.

Although the Mitsio Archepelago is a group of thirteen islands there is really only one safe anchorage. This is why this option is for the hardy fishermen or scuba divers amoung you. At night you will anchor off Grand Mitsio but during the day you will be taken to other islands to dive, fish, explore or relax. The reefs and fishing spots are equal to those of the Radamas - some argue better and the days spent much as Days 4 and 5 of the first itinerary.

Day Six: An early start will get you to Tsarabanjina (sarra ban jina) in time for another dive. There is a smart lodge on the island but they generally do not welcome "yachties".

Heading back towards Nosy Be you might stop at Nosy Fanihy (Fanny) meaning flying fox. This is a sacred island where no shouting, intimacy or dogs are allowed.

You will arrive at Nosy Komba in time for sundowners and dinner. The sound of the beach bars will drift across reminding you of the civilisation you are about to return to.

In the morning you will visit the lemur park as per itinerary one.

Afterwards you head back to base and your transfer to the airport or next place to stay.