Diego Suarez
The town of Diego Suarez, or Antsiranana, is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's second largest natural bay with the picturesque Nosy Lonja (Sugarloaf island). Diego Suarez is named after the Portuguese explorer Diego Diaz who came to Madagascar in 1500 and the sailor Fernando Suarez who arrived at the bay in 1506. Unfortunately Diego Diaz was rather cruel to the locals and sold them into slavery.
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Although since 1975 the official name of the town is Antsiranana, literally meaning "that is at the seaside" in Malagasy, many people still refer to Diego Suarez. In 1885 the French Navy built a military base on the location, given the strategic importance of a deep-water harbour.
During World War II Diego Suarez was under control of the French Vichy. In 1942 Britain and The Allies occupied Diego Suarez to prevent the Japanese warships and submarines from entering the harbour. Hundreds of British soldiers fell in the Battle of Madagascar. Until 1973, Diego Suarez served as a port to the French fleet of the Indian Ocean.
The colonial influence of France and particularly of its navy, which occupied Diego Suarez until 1973, is noticeable in the city's architecture. Straight and parallel roads lead visitors along impressive stone buildings with columns and large balconies, decorated public gardens and incredible views of the bay. The city has its own special character, which can not be found elsewhere in Madagascar.
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Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital Antananarivo the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Antankarana and Sakalava, Indians, Arabs, Creole, Chinese, Comorians and French. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found along this street. The area south of Foch Square is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market. The entire town will go to sleep between noon and 3pm with its peak of awakeness during night time.
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The climate around Diego Suarez is hot with seven months of dry weather a year. From May to October a trade wind contributes to a pleasant temperature. Almost all rain falls between end of November and April. In those months the landscape turns from beige and brown to lush green. However, bird lovers will enjoy the dry season as birds are more visible then.
Contents
Places to visit
There are quite a few attractions in Diego Suarez which are worth a visit. Since 2010 handwritten information boards describe in French, Malagasy and English monuments and other places of interest.
- Joffre Square
- Foch Square
- Kiosque à Musique - park with stage overlooking the bay
- Marine Hotel
- Bazary Kely - market for fruits, vegetables, meat and everything else
- Bazary Be - Great Market Place
- Jacob Mosque
- Rhada Krishna Hindu Temple
- Town Hall
- Cassam Chenai House
- British war cemetery
- French war cemetery
- Hôpital Be - hospital area with wonderful views over the bay
- Diego Suarez Bay - Antsiranana Bay
Day Excursions
The surroundings of Diego Suarez offer some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Madagascar. For the active travellers there are many opportunities for trekking, climbing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, kite-surfing, fishing, bicycling etc.
- Ramena Beach
- The Three Bays: Baie des Dunes, Baie des Pigeons and Sakalava Bay
- Cap Miné Lighthouse
- Nosy Lonja / Sugarloaf Island
- Emerald Sea - Mer d'Emeraude
- Cap Diego
- Salines d'Antsahampano - salt marshes
- Montagne des Français
- Montagne d'Ambre National Park
- Tsingy of the Ankarana National Park
- Red Tsingy
- Courier Bay with Windsor Castle
Tour operators
Diego Raid
Quad and 4x4
Toto Circuits Diego
Excursions & tours by 4x4 in the region of Diego Suarez
Bicycle hire and repair
Tel: +261 (0)32 78 496 26 (mobile)
Tel: +261 (0)32 462 7305
Tuk Tuk driver
Restaurants and bars
Bar Sambirano
A small bar/restaurant at the end of rue Colbert.
Gargote Samiah
Lunch restarant. 100% Malagasy.
Sambravo
Drinks terrace
Bamboo
Lounge and shisha bar with good cocktails and delicious bar food
Le Taxi Be
Bar & nightclub
Le Balafomanga
Malagasy - Créole - Seafood
Pizzeria SU & GIU
Pizza - Pasta - Salad
San Diego Rock Café
Pasta - Pizza - Burger - Icecream - Café
La Terrine d'Argent
French food, homemade cooking, small informal restaurant with a few tables only.
Rue Colbert, enter through small corridor in front of Le Colbert restaurant
Accommodation
Allamanda Hotel
Rue Richelieu - Ville Basse
Tel: +261 (0)20 82 210 33 / +261 (0)20 82 231 47 / +261 (0)32 07 666 15 (GSM)
Email: hotelallamanda@gmail.com
Website: allamanda-hotel.com
Hotel Le Petit Paradis
Rue de la Prison
Tel: +261 (0)32478913
Victoria Hotel
Rue Rigault 201
Tel: +261 (0)34 11 225 44
Website: www.hotelvictoriadiego.com
Hôtel de la Baie
Route Ramena, Diego Suarez
Tel: +261 (0)32 5077736 / +261 (0)32 6445782
Website: hoteldelabaiediego.com
Perle de la Baie
Tel: +261 (0)33 18 826 73 (mobile)
Email: perledelabaie@gmail.com
Website: perledelabaie.blogspot.com
Kartiffa Hotel (14 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)32 04 185 83 (mobile)
Email: toto@kikoohotel.com
Website: www.kikoohotel.com/kartiffa-hotel-diego-suarez.html
Hotel La Terrasse du Voyageur
Tel: +261 (0)34 20 061 04 / +261 (0)34 20 061 06
Hotel de la Poste
Tel: +261 (0)32 04 785 75 (mobile)
Email: contact@diego-hoteldelaposte.com
Hotel de la Poste Ocean
Tel: +261 (0)32 04 785 75 (mobile)
Email: contact@diego-hoteldelaposte.com
Website: www.diego-hoteldelaposte.com
Grand Hotel
Tel: +261 (0)20 82 230 63
Email: grandhotel_diego@yahoo.fr
Website: www.grand-hotel-diego.com
Hotel Le Colbert
Tel: +261 (0)20 82 232 89
Email: hlcdiego@moov.mg
Website: www.hlcdiego.com
Shopping
- Big food market
- Flowers at the market
- Fresh coconuts
- Homeopharma - Rue Justin Bezard
- Madahoufi
Gemstones
- SOTROMI (Société Tropicale Minière Madagascar)
Internet Access
Shipping services
Madahoufi Shipchandler
Avenue Philbert-Tsiranana
Diego Suarez
Contact: M. Fidaly
Email: marchedemadahoufi@gmail.com
Tel: +261 (0)32 07 098 21 / +261 (0)20 82 226 43 / +261 (0)32 04 631 45
Boat services
Passenger boat transfers between Diego Suarez, Vohemar, Sambava and Antalaha
Tel: +261 (0)32 52 429 17 (Patrica)
Map of Diego Suarez
Photos
- View all Diego Suarez photos
Videos
- Video about Diego Suarez by Antoine (French)
- HAPPY we are from Diego Suarez by Geoffrey Gaspard to the music of Pharell Williams