Nosy Be, Diego-Suarez, Ifaty

Jet skiing in Madagascar

Skim across a turquoise sea with the spray on your face: around Nosy Be, in Diego-Suarez Bay or at Ifaty, jet skiing is enjoyed on supervised outings that respect both turtles and swimmers.

Duration One to three hours
Level Beginner, with an instructor
Who for Adults; children depending on operator
Season Best from April to November

The activity

What is it like?

A jet ski is a small motorised craft that you ride seated, alone or with a passenger. With us, it is enjoyed on accompanied outings: an instructor or guide leads the way, chooses the permitted areas and sets the pace to suit your confidence, from a gentle ride along the coast to bursts of speed further out to sea.

Malagasy law generally requires a licence to drive a motorised craft at sea, and life jackets are compulsory. Riding conditions, whether solo, sharing with the instructor or as a passenger, therefore depend on the operator and the location. We check them for you before booking, along with the areas where jet skiing is allowed.

The activity is increasingly regulated: in August 2025, the Nosy Be council temporarily banned jet skis from swimming areas and protected sites. We therefore favour short outings from authorised beaches, on routes that leave room for fishermen, swimmers and marine life.

100% tailor-made

On the spot

Things to do and see

The highlights of the activity, arranged around your pace and your wishes.

Learn with an instructor

A briefing on the beach, a few slow laps in open water, then a gradual build-up: in a single outing, you learn the basics of riding and turning.

Cruise the Nosy Be coast

Setting off from beaches where jet skiing is allowed, the ride follows the island’s coastline past fishing villages, coves and islets, well away from swimming areas.

Ride past the Sugarloaf

In the vast bay of Diego-Suarez, the Sugarloaf islet makes a striking backdrop to outings that are more comfortable in the morning, before the trade wind picks up.

Explore the Ifaty lagoon

North of Toliara, the reef-sheltered lagoon is a turquoise playground, best explored at a moderate pace and without ever skimming the seabed.

Stop for a swim

Some outings pause in a permitted cove: with the engine off and the jet ski at anchor, you can swim, or snorkel if you have brought a mask, before heading off again.

Watch without disturbing

Turtles coming up for air, dolphins in the distance: slow down, ease off the throttle and keep your distance. Whales, for their part, are watched from a whale-watching boat, never from a jet ski.

Destinations

Where to go

Our favourite places for this activity, to link together or to slot into one of our tours.

North-west, Nosy Be archipelago

Nosy Be

Its warm, often calm water is well suited to jet skiing. In August 2025, a municipal order temporarily banned it from swimming areas and protected sites such as Nosy Tanikely, Sakatia and Lokobe; exemptions were granted for departures from certain beaches, such as Madirokely, provided riders leave the shore at low speed. We check the current rules before every outing.

Far north, between the town and Ramena

Diego-Suarez Bay

This vast bay, famous for its Sugarloaf islet, has jet ski hire between the town and Ramena beach. A 1963 order bans motor craft within 200 metres of swimming beaches, except in an access channel at no more than 2 knots. From April to November the trade wind known as the varatraza blows hard, so early-morning outings are often more comfortable.

South-west, north of Toliara

Ifaty and Mangily

Some thirty kilometres from Toliara, these Vezo fishing villages line the Ranobe lagoon, sheltered by a barrier reef. Some hotels offer jet skiing among their water sports, alongside waterskiing, fishing and diving. The water can be very shallow, so riders keep well clear of the pirogues and never cross over the coral at low tide.

In pictures

The activity in photos

A few images of the activity and of the places where you can enjoy it.

The right time

When to go

From April to November, the dry season generally brings kinder seas and clear skies. In Nosy Be the water often stays calm, whereas in Diego-Suarez Bay the trade wind, the varatraza, blows hard from April to late November, so it is best to head out early in the morning. From December to March, rain and cyclones make outings less certain.

In the morning, before the wind picks up, the sea is often calmer.
Humpback whales around Nosy Be, usually from July to October: take extra care.
Whale sharks off Nosy Be, mainly in October and November.

Month by month

Jan possible
Feb possible
Mar possible
Apr ideal
May ideal
Jun ideal
Jul ideal
Aug ideal
Sep ideal
Oct ideal
Nov ideal
Dec possible

Ideal
Possible
This month

Recommended season: Best from April to November

In your bag

Gear and equipment

What is provided and what you should bring to make the most of the activity.

Provided

Well-maintained jet ski and fuel
Life jacket in your size
Safety briefing before departure
Instructor or guide supervision

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Rash vest or UV-protective T-shirt
Water-resistant mineral sun cream
Sunglasses with a strap
Water shoes or sandals
Dry bag for your phone and documents
Your boat licence, if you have one

Peace of mind

Safety advice

A few simple rules so you can enjoy the activity with peace of mind. On site, always follow your guide’s instructions: they know the ground and the conditions of the day.

Wear your life jacket for the whole outing: it is compulsory under Malagasy law, even for strong swimmers.
Attach the kill cord to your wrist or life jacket: if you fall off, the engine cuts out and the craft stays close to you.
Stick to permitted areas and leave the shore at low speed, no more than 3 knots in Nosy Be and 2 knots in the access channels of Diego Bay, before speeding up offshore.
Slow down near turtles and dolphins, and never ride towards whales: ease off the throttle and stay beyond 100 metres, or 200 with a calf, the distances required of whale-watching boats.
Keep your distance from swimmers, pirogues and other craft, and never go out at night or in strong winds.
Protect yourself from the sun and its glare off the water: sunglasses with a strap, a rash vest, mineral sun cream and plenty of water.
Jet skiing is bumpy: it is not recommended if you have back problems, are pregnant or have a heart condition, and if in doubt, ask your doctor.

With BEMIRAY

Why choose this activity?

Carefully chosen local partners

We book your outings with local partners who know the permitted areas, and we check with them that the craft are well maintained, that life jackets fit and that proper supervision is provided.

Regulations checked for you

Rules differ from one council to the next and keep changing: before every outing, we check the open areas, the riding conditions and the equipment required.

Respect for the sea

In keeping with our commitment to nature, we favour short outings away from reefs, turtles and protected areas, which also respect fishermen and swimmers.

Fitted into your trip

A jet ski outing slots easily into a beach stay in Nosy Be, Diego-Suarez or Ifaty: transfers and timings are arranged for you, and we reply to your request within 48 hours.

Good to know

Your questions

Another question? Our team replies within 48 hours, in English or in French.

Do I need a licence to ride a jet ski?

Malagasy law generally requires a licence to drive a motorised craft at sea. On a supervised outing, the arrangements depend on the operator: riding with the instructor, following the guide in convoy or travelling as a passenger. We will confirm the details before you book.

Can children take part?

Children usually ride as passengers with an adult or the instructor at the controls, wearing a life jacket that fits them. The minimum age, like the age for riding solo, depends on the operator: tell us your children’s ages and we will check what is possible.

How long does an outing last?

From a short taster session to a half-day ride, depending on the location and local regulations. For a first time, an outing of one to two hours in the morning is plenty to have fun without tiring yourself out.

Can jet skiing be combined with a tour?

Yes: Nosy Be and Diego-Suarez feature on our northern tours, and Ifaty is a stop on two of our tours to the south-west. An outing fits easily into a free day by the sea.

What happens if I fall in?

Your life jacket keeps you afloat and the kill cord stops the engine. You climb back on from the rear of the craft using the handle, then signal to the instructor. The pre-departure briefing explains these simple steps.

Is tipping customary?

It is never compulsory, but your instructor or guide will always appreciate it if you have enjoyed the outing. Your guide will be happy to explain local customs.

Combine it