Parc National de Nosy Tanihely

Located in the Nosy Be archipelago off northwestern Madagascar, Nosy Tanihely National Park protects a small island and the surrounding shallow marine ecosystems within the Mozambique Channel, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sandy beaches, and rocky coastal habitats. Nosy Tanihely’s fringing coral reefs are among the healthiest in the Nosy Be region and provide important habitat for a wide range of reef fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and coral species. The park’s seagrass meadows serve as feeding grounds for endangered marine turtles, while its beaches and rocky coasts provide nesting and resting habitat for seabirds and other coastal wildlife. Nosy Tanihely is also part of an important migratory corridor for marine megafauna, including whales, dolphins, whale sharks, and other threatened species that move through the northern Mozambique Channel.

Established as a National Park in 2011, Nosy Tanihely is co-managed by Madagascar National Parks, the Regional Tourism Office of Nosy Be, and the Urban Municipality of Nosy Be through the Tanihely National Park Association. The park combines marine conservation with sustainable tourism and strong local participation in management and stewardship. Local communities and stakeholder groups, including fishers, tourism operators, and community associations, contribute to decision making, ecological monitoring, and resource management activities. Nosy Tanihely also holds important cultural value for surrounding communities, including sacred sites used for traditional ceremonies and coastal refuge areas historically used by artisanal fishers. Through collaborative governance, ecological restoration, and community engagement, Nosy Tanihely National Park aims to conserve one of Madagascar’s most ecologically significant coastal ecosystems while supporting the long-term well-being of local communities.