Grande Mitsio, also known as “Nosy Mitsio”, the island at the heart of the archipelago

Unlike most of the islands in the archipelago, Grande Mitsio, often referred to as Nosy Mitsio, is permanently inhabited. Its population is estimated at around 2,500 people, spread across several coastal villages. The island holds a special place in the history of the Antankarana people. Around 1840, it notably served as a refuge for King Tsimiharo and several thousand of his followers during conflicts with the Merina Kingdom. To this day, Nosy Mitsio retains strong historical and cultural significance for the Antankarana.

Nosy Mitsio, an island where life revolves around fishing and farming

Daily life relies heavily on fishing and small-scale subsistence farming. Fishing remains largely traditional: fishermen head out to sea in pirogues, often in pairs, mainly using lines or nets, as well as freediving techniques. Rice and maize are grown during the rainy season, alongside cassava and coconut palms. Raising goats and zebu cattle also forms part of the local economy, with some livestock sold on mainland Madagascar.

Grande Mitsio, a spectacular and unspoilt natural setting

Nosy Mitsio first reveals its magnificent beaches, fringed by clear waters in shades of turquoise. Approaching the island by sea offers one of its most striking views: vast stretches of sand backed by the island’s inland hills.

The vegetation varies from one area to another and with the seasons. The hills are largely covered in grass and satrana palms, with their broad fan-shaped leaves, while coconut palms appear in the more densely vegetated areas. Marimbe Bay is also home to mangroves lining the shoreline.

At the southwestern tip of the island, the landscape becomes especially dramatic with the basalt columns. These long rock formations, with their almost geometric shapes, rise for several dozen metres where land meets sea. They are among Grande Mitsio’s most distinctive natural features and a direct reminder of the archipelago’s volcanic origins.

Grande Mitsio remains very isolated : there are no roads on the island and infrastructure is still extremely limited. This is also what preserves its exceptional character, far removed from urban development and mass tourism.banisation et du tourisme de masse.