DUNE Nosy Be - SAKALAV' Madagascar DIVING CENTER — Attraction in Diana Region

This review is quite lengthy, given the numerous issues we encountered, so bear with me.

This all started as an issue with the weight in my BCD. Since we were using steel tanks (I’m used to aluminum), I had to trust the dive guide's weight recommendations. Initially, I wasn't concerned, assuming we could adjust my weight on the water surface, as I had done during certification to find my ideal weight.

During the dive briefing – which we did receive, albeit not up to the standard of our prior briefings, insofar as it felt like we weren't briefed at all – we were informed that we would conduct final safety checks in the water. To me, this included buddy checks and, the now even more crucial, weight check. None of these checks took place as promised. Instead, we all entered the water simultaneously, as instructed in the briefing, and as I surfaced, all I could see were the tops of people's heads and their inflator hoses descending beneath the surface.

Reluctantly, I followed the larger group, feeling like some essential steps were skipped. However, due to the excess weight, I descended too quickly and immediately experienced difficulty equalizing. I attempted to resolve this independently for several minutes, repeatedly ascending a little or all the way to the surface, descending again, and signaling the dive guide whenever I could spot/recognize him. Nevertheless, after multiple failed attempts, persistent ear pain, and the need to actively kick at the surface, even with an inflated BCD, I eventually swam back near the boat. The captain instructed me to wait in the water. So, I did.

Our guide surfaced, and instead of offering reassurance, with which, I’d have likely felt comfortable continuing, this man bellows across our sliver of the Indian Ocean: "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??”. Not, “what's happening?" or “can I assist?". Even after I explained part of my issue, his response was solely about the fact that the others were ahead, in a tone that was accusatory and inconsiderate. It was not my fault that a current carried the others away, nor was it my fault that I was overweight or that we hadn't performed a weight check. I felt dejected and as though I had done something wrong. I told him to continue without me, which he promptly did.

Not more than a few moments later, the third member of our group surfaced, explaining that she couldn't locate anyone after a minute of searching (a decision that I believe PADI would endorse). The guide left her behind that quickly, either unaware or unconcerned he’d done so. All this was chaotic enough, but the situation deteriorated further due to our dissatisfaction with the dive briefing. This led to an unnecessary shouting match between my friend and the guide, throughout which, our concerns were not professionally addressed. Quite simply, we did not receive the quality of service we’d hoped for. It is unfair and inaccurate in response to that for them to accuse us of "flouting" rules, as all our decisions closely aligned with PADI guidelines and stemmed from genuine concern for our collective safety.

On the matter of safety, here's a list of areas where I felt they disregarded or compromised our safety: Providing a diver with a BCD lacking an inflate button, meaning it could only be manually inflated (they switched it with the dive lead’s but it should not even be in their possession, let alone in that of a diver, and certainly not a first-timer!) Rushing divers through safety checks (which happened on the boat when I attempted to test my BCD). Neglecting to conduct surface safety checks (we entered the water and descended almost immediately). Failing to account for all divers or take appropriate measures to ensure a group THEY separated on the boat regrouped in the water. Treating divers who were taking reasonable precautions as an inconvenience. Abandoning a diver who was part of a team of only three people.

In the end, while I hope other divers had an enjoyable experience, but I cannot recommend this center after what we experienced, in person...

Our experience with Sakalav diving and diving in nosy be was all in all good, with some drawbacks. On the diving: we did 6 tot. divings and 1 night dive. The night dive has been very good with lots of nudibranches, prawns, shrimps and small night animals. It is always and incredibile experience to dive in the light bubble of your torch! Our general feeling Is: poor reef! You can truly see how the reef and corals have been destroyed by the bleeching of 2016 and 2024. A lot of dead corals. It Is honestly heartbreking to see, imagining what a beauty it could have been 10 yrs ago. Visibility was so-so, ranging from 15 to 30m. Alain explains that this is due to the deforestation and mud coming from the rivers + effect of the tides. Fauna: as they say in many occasions, Nosy Be Is good for macro, lots of nudibranches and small stuff. Despite that the fauna felt poor, not many fishes around when comparing to Red Sea or Maldives: unfortunately we didn't find much fish and the dives were "ok", but nothing to be enthusiast about. We were luky enough to see whales jumping and giving a breathtaking show yesterday during our approach to dives! Alain knows a lot about marine life, but you have to ask him! It has been a pity that during some dives he felt more concentrated in adjusting the coral reef rather than guiding and showing us the under water life. We rented the equipment: let's say it was pretty used but okay for diving. Safety: all in all we felt safe with Alain, despite that briefings of dives were superficial and hardly given, and often there was no indication on party/couples safety. We were never asked to make a safety partner check before dives. This for me has been a standard safety protocol in my modesto diving experience (c.a. 40 dives). Don't get me wrong, it didn't felt unsafe, we just did not find the highest level of professionality and safety amongst our previous diving experiences.

A big thanks to Julien and his girlfriend (diving instructors) that felt passionate divers and guided us through the majority of the dives! Good professionals!

All in all, I'm sad to Say: Nosy be Is not the world class destination i hoped to find for diving.

Nathalie and Alain have Always been kind and also organized for us a Tour + lunch + turtle snorkeling in Nosy Sakatia which Is very worth the (cheap) price!

Dives tarifs are honest. Thanks for...

Really poor snorkeling experience. We had to show up at 8 at the diving center. We met with Alain who gave us snorkeling gear without speaking a word. We then left to the island of Sakatia with a captain that did not speak English or French and could not read Malagasy. We tried to communicate in several ways and also with Google translate. A kid of around 12 had to show us the village but we did not want to see the village nor tiny banana plants as we wanted to go for snorkeling. The boat left and we were on our own with this sweet kid who could not help it on the island doing nothing. We finally did some snorkeling for max 1 hour. Upon return we found a very angry and threatening Alain. We are just 2 girls trying to have a nice snorkeling experience during our vacation we worked very hard for. Conversation was not possible about the mismatch in expectations. We were stealing from the Malagasy according to Alain with an speed boat in his garden. Alain, it does not matter in which hotel I stay, which house I am living in back home or which car I drive or how much money I make, if you offer an all day snorkeling experience this is what is should be and...