Nosy Be Cruise Port
Hell-Ville (Andoany), Madagascar · Africa
Cruise ships anchor offshore in Hell-Ville (Andoany) — tenders ferry passengers to the port.
Plan my port daysTender port: ships anchor in the bay and tenders (15–20 minutes) land at Hell-Ville harbour. The market, ATMs and the tuk-tuk rank are a 5–15 minute walk. Bring ariary or small euro notes, as cards are rarely accepted.
At a glance
Port summary
Nosy Be is Madagascar's main beach island and an easy introduction to the country: lemurs, ylang-ylang plantations, volcanic crater lakes and reef islands are all within a short ride. Tenders land at the small harbour of Hell-Ville (Andoany), the island's faded colonial capital; allow up to 45 minutes of queueing on busy days. Walk up through town to the covered market (Bazar Be) for spices, vanilla and tropical fruit, and on to the Sacred Tree at Mahatsinjo, a vast banyan where offerings are left. Lemuria Land, a small park with lemurs, tortoises and a ylang-ylang distillery, is 15–20 minutes by tuk-tuk, and Mont Passot, the island's highest point with views over crater lakes, takes 35–45 minutes. The classic half-day boat trip goes to Nosy Komba, where black lemurs come close to visitors in Ampangorina village, often combined with snorkelling in the Nosy Tanikely marine reserve. Lokobe National Park, the last primary forest on the island, is reached by road and dugout canoe and needs most of the day. There is no Uber: negotiate tuk-tuk and taxi fares, carry small notes, and bring insect repellent, sun protection and water. Roads are rough, so leave a generous margin to get back to the tender.
Cruise dock
Hell-Ville harbour (tender landing)
Tender port: ships anchor in the bay off Hell-Ville and tenders land at the small town harbour, shared with the Ankify ferry and island-hopping boats. Coordinate from Nominatim (OSM amenity=ferry_terminal 'Ferry vers Ankify', Avenue de la Libération) as no pier is tagged; it marks the harbour, not necessarily the exact tender pontoon. Market about 1 km / 10–15 min uphill on foot.
Latitude: -13.407796, Longitude: 48.28106
See dock on port map →Getting to Hell-Ville (Andoany)
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Bring small euro notes as a backup and withdraw ariary early in the day. 100,000–200,000 Ar covers tuk-tuks, entry fees, snacks and tips for a half day; a private boat to Nosy Komba is extra.
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Excursions compared
3 comparedNosy Komba lemurs and Nosy Tanikely snorkelling by boat
≈ 4 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€170$190
Do it yourself
€56$63
Save ≈ €114Save ≈ $128 (67% off)
Boatmen wait at Hell-Ville harbour where the tenders land: agree a private speedboat for Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba (about €50–70 for two, 30–40 minutes to Tanikely, 30 minutes on to Komba, 20 minutes back) and check life jackets. The Tanikely park fee and snorkel hire are a few euros, and the Komba lemur park about 10,000–20,000 Ar; carry ariary or small euro notes.
See the DIY plan →
Nosy Be island tour: ylang-ylang, Lemuria Land, Sacred Tree and Hell-Ville market
≈ 4.5 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€225$252
Do it yourself
€26$29
Save ≈ €199Save ≈ $223 (88% off)
From the tender landing walk 10–15 minutes uphill to the Hell-Ville market, then hire a tuk-tuk for the rest of the morning (about 60,000–100,000 Ar for the vehicle; agree stops and return time). The Sacred Tree is 15 minutes west (small fee, shoes off) and Lemuria Land 20 minutes east (about 45,000 Ar including the ylang-ylang distillery; usually closed Sundays).
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
6 plansHell-Ville on Foot: Colonial Boulevard and the Covered Market
Nosy Be's faded little capital, its spice-scented market and street life, without spending a thing.
Sacred Tree, Lemuria Land and the Ylang-Ylang Distillery
The ship's island tour by tuk-tuk: a giant sacred banyan, lemurs and the perfume Nosy Be is named for.
Mont Passot Crater Lakes and a Beach Lunch at Ambatoloaka
Climb to the island's rooftop for crater-lake views, then cool off with grilled fish on the sand.
Nosy Komba Lemurs and Nosy Tanikely Snorkelling by Boat
Black lemurs on your shoulder in the morning, turtles under your mask in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Hell-Ville (Andoany)?
- Hell-Ville (Andoany) is a tender port: your ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer to shore by small boat.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Hell-Ville (Andoany)?
- Yes. Hell-Ville (Andoany) is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Hell-Ville (Andoany) centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Tuk-tuk, Taxi, Local bus, Ferry. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Hell-Ville (Andoany)?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Hell-Ville (Andoany) independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Hell-Ville (Andoany) and are cards accepted?
- Hell-Ville (Andoany) uses the Malagasy ariary. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Hell-Ville (Andoany) cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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