No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-02-18T11:47:32Z
Full advisory →Is Nosy Be safe? 🇲🇬
Madagascar · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Nosy Be scores 65/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Nosy Be is generally safe for tourists, particularly in established tourist areas; it's considered one of Madagascar's safest destinations. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Nosy Be 🇲🇬
Madagascar · Assessed 29 July 2026
65
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~65% of countries
What drives this score
Crime64/100FairHomicide 6.1 / 100k
Sentiment84/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability59Fair
Health64Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Madagascar: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
76 / 100 (Mostly positive)
76
City SignalCity Web Research
Homicide rate
6.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
61
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery and violent street crime are rare in tourist areas; petty theft and opportunistic bag-snatching are the main concerns, not mugging.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur, particularly in crowded markets, beaches, and informal boat areas; keep bags close and avoid displaying valuables.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Reported feel76Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent travel media (Sep–Nov 2025) report Nosy Be as safe and welcoming. The vast majority of travelers experience no issues; positive coverage cites tourism infrastructure and friendly locals. Only documented scams and minor theft concerns, not violence, reported.
Yes — Nosy Be is generally safe for tourists, particularly in established tourist areas; it's considered one of Madagascar's safest destinations.
Nosy Be is safer than mainland Madagascar due to its tourism-dependent economy, which creates a welcoming, well-policed environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare in tourist areas; most travelers report no safety issues. The main risks are petty theft and minor scams, easily mitigated with standard precautions.
Recent developments
- Oct 2025Il Sole 24 ORE raised tourism-safety concerns for Madagascar amid reports of national instability— Il Sole 24 ORE
- Sep 2025Le Monde.fr reported at least five killed in unprecedented protests on mainland Madagascar— Le Monde.fr
Common scams
- Unlicensed dive operators with poorly maintained equipment claiming PADI certification
- Inflated 'tourist prices' at markets and shops; expect overcharging and bargain respectfully
- Unofficial guides and tour operators offering services at suspiciously low prices
- Beach vendors applying high-pressure sales tactics for trinkets and tours
- Taxi fare overcharging, especially for rides from airports or to unfamiliar destinations
Full briefing
Nosy Be is genuinely safe for travelers—more so than mainland Madagascar—thanks to its tourism-dependent economy, which creates a welcoming, well-policed environment. Violent crime is rare in tourist areas, and recent travel media describe the island as "safe, serene, and ready to welcome you" (November 2025). Most travelers experience no safety issues. However, the island does expose visitors to petty theft and scams, documented in research from September 2025.
The real safety picture centers on small-scale crime and tourist traps, not violence. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the most common theft vectors, typically in crowded markets, beaches, and informal boat areas. Scams include unlicensed dive operators running tours with poorly maintained equipment (the highest-severity documented risk), beach vendor pressure sales, inflated "tourist prices" at markets, and taxi-fare overcharging. A September 2025 safety database documents 13 Nosy Be scams; only one rates as high severity. Solo travelers report more frequent targeting than groups, a pattern worth noting if traveling alone.
Nosy Be operates largely insulated from mainland Madagascar's broader political instability. Italian media raised tourism-safety concerns in October 2025 amid reports of national instability, and French media documented at least five killed in protests on mainland Madagascar in September 2025—but these reflect mainland dynamics, not Nosy Be's stable tourist zone. The Canadian government advisory (June 2026) recommends exercising caution, reflecting the country-level governance gaps, but Nosy Be's tightly-managed community remains operationally secure.
To stay safe: use only PADI or SSI-certified dive operators with insurance, book tours through established companies, conceal valuables, avoid deserted areas solo after dark, and agree taxi fares upfront. Air quality is excellent, and July weather is pleasant (~30°C), but hospital capacity is limited (consider evacuation insurance for serious medical emergencies). With these precautions, Nosy Be delivers on its reputation as Madagascar's safest destination for tourists.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Nosy Be districts for visitors: 4 safer, 1 needing caution. See them plotted on the Nosy Be safety map.
Hell-Ville/AndoanycautionMain commercial town; normal urban awareness in markets and streets; petty theft possible
AmbatoloakasaferPopular beach hub with high tourism; well-policed but unlicensed dive operators active—verify PADI/SSI certification before diving
MadirokelysaferLively beach area with dive shops and tourism services; inspect dive equipment credentials; watch valuables in crowds
AndilanasaferNorthern beach area, quieter than central zones; lower scam/theft activity; standard beach precautions apply
JinnasaferQuieter residential area; generally safe for tourists with basic awareness
07 · After Dark
Is Nosy Be safe at night?
63% of people in Madagascar say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2018).
Armed robbery and violent street crime are rare in tourist areas; petty theft and opportunistic bag-snatching are the main concerns, not mugging.
After dark, be most careful around Hell-Ville/Andoany. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Nosy Be's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight65
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight65
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight65
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight65
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight64
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight65
09 · Questions
Nosy Be safety FAQ
Is Nosy Be safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Nosy Be is generally safe for tourists, particularly in established tourist areas; it's considered one of Madagascar's safest destinations. Nosy Be is safer than mainland Madagascar due to its tourism-dependent economy, which creates a welcoming, well-policed environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare in tourist areas; most travelers report no safety issues. The main risks are petty theft and minor scams, easily mitigated with standard precautions. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Nosy Be should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Nosy Be?
- Unlicensed dive operators with poorly maintained equipment claiming PADI certification
- Inflated 'tourist prices' at markets and shops; expect overcharging and bargain respectfully
- Unofficial guides and tour operators offering services at suspiciously low prices
- Beach vendors applying high-pressure sales tactics for trinkets and tours
How does Nosy Be compare with other places in Madagascar?
Nosy Be ranks #1 of 2 Madagascar destinations we've assessed, scoring 65/100. See the Madagascar safety overview for the full list.
How is this Nosy Be safety score calculated?
The score blends 10+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More Madagascar reports
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4 reportsBrowse the Madagascar safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: nosy-be.json (CC BY 4.0).