Miavana
Fourteen villas on a Madagascan island reached only by helicopter, with almost nothing for miles around.
Miavana occupies Nosy Ankao off the north-east coast of Madagascar, part of a small uninhabited archipelago, and is reached by helicopter from Nosy Be or Diego Suarez — there is no boat transfer for guests and no airstrip on the island. One property occupies it. The surrounding islands are empty, and the coast of Madagascar itself is thinly populated here, which makes this among the more genuinely remote entries in the Indian Ocean.
Fourteen villas by Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens are built low into the dune and rock, each with a pool and a butler, and the island can be taken whole. The property runs conservation programmes on turtles, on the reef and on the lemur population of the nearby forests, and excursions run by boat and helicopter to the mainland, to whale grounds in season and to neighbouring islands.
Helicopter is the only way in. That single fact filters the guest list, sets the price and explains the emptiness of everything around the island.
Madagascar rather than the Indian Ocean generally. Lemurs, baobabs and endemic forest are within reach of a beach property, which no other entry in this register can offer.
Who it is not for
Miavana is wrong for travellers unwilling or unable to fly by helicopter, since there is no alternative. It is wrong for guests who want a short, simple journey — reaching Madagascar takes a day before the transfer begins. And it is wrong for anyone who wants a resort's density of facilities and dining choice. Those wanting Indian Ocean remoteness with an easier journey should look at Desroches or Alphonse.
Sources
- timeandtidemiavana.com — fourteen villas, helicopter access, Nosy Ankao
- Conservation programme scope and villa count unverified with the property. Confirm before publication.
Booking
Private Island Resorts arranges each stay on request, quoting the rates available for the island and dates. No benefit should be assumed unless it is confirmed in writing for the individual reservation.
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