Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) is a very sheltered point break in the Vezo Reefs that’s best thought of as a destination for surfers who can handle reef conditions and can plan around inconsistency. The spot is described as unreliable, with sessions often turning small until the right swell arrives; it can still become a good option during the mid-year peak when conditions align. Across available descriptions, the most consistent timing falls around the June–July period, with a broader prime surf season commonly described as April to October. East winds are indicated as a favorable wind direction for getting workable conditions, and the sheltered geography helps protect the lineup from prevailing winds (though wind reliability at the spot remains low overall). The wave offering is generally soft and mushy, with average-to-lower wave quality most of the time, and medium ride lengths when the point activates. A significant swell is often needed to get the sheltered point producing; one source also gives a working southwest swell-height window (about 1.5–2.5 m) and notes mid tide as optimal. Safety planning is critical here: the reef environment includes rocks/shallow sections and sharks, and the spot is remote with limited rescue options. Expect strong tidal currents around the reef pass, and consider remote/boat access when planning your session. Medical support is described as being in Toliara, so bring appropriate planning, reef-appropriate gear, and experienced decision-making.
- Sheltered point break in the Vezo Reefs
- Mid-year peak: June to July
- Rarely crowded
- Very sheltered point break (when it’s working)
- Rarely crowded due to remoteness and inconsistent surf
- Best sessions concentrate in a clear mid-year peak window (June–July)
- Waves are unreliable and often small
- Reef hazards (rocks/shallow sections) and sharks
- Remote access and limited/no rescue presence at the spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — East trade-wind pattern (southeasterly trade winds/Varatraza flow) with low reliability at the specific point.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- June, July
- Shadow Zones
- Point is highly sheltered from prevailing winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Reef/rocky composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Often small; wave power described as soft.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline or boat access.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky shoreline conditions and/or remote/boat access; launch difficulty reported as difficult.
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round.
January to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
A very sheltered point break in the Vezo Reefs that is known for being unreliable and often small; requires the right swell to activate. Crowd is usually low due to remoteness and inconsistency.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SSW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is indicated as optimal.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Very sheltered point in the Vezo Reefs.
- Wind Effect
- East wind provides relatively clean offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Requires a significant swell to start working effectively; when it finally activates, it can produce better waves during the peak window.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality reported as average; generally unreliable with many small sessions.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Often small and described as soft wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Often mushy/soft shape.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Peeling is slow.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length reported as medium.
- Ride Length Details
- Medium ride length reported at the sheltered point when it’s working.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) in the full forecast view.
Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–19 ktsGusts 32 kts
- Direction
- SW221°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 19–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 32 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.8–2.3 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Remote location
- Rocks and shallow reef sections
- Strong tidal currents typical of the reef pass
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level rescue availability reported as no; regional baseline indicates rescue services are extremely limited and safety is often managed via local boatmen / nearby lodges, with medical in Toliara.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Toliara (regional guidance: nearest medical ~30–40 km by boat / ~120 km by road). General emergency number reported in Madagascar: 117 (police) and 118 (fire).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues reported.
Rules of the spot
Use experienced judgment: the spot is very sheltered but can be unreliable, with hazards on/near the reef and limited rescue options due to remoteness.
- Avoid going out without adequate experience for reef hazards and shallow rocky sections.
- Respect strong tidal currents near the reef pass.
- Plan for unreliable waves: conditions can be small or not consistent.
- A significant swell may be required for the sheltered point to really work.
- Consider boat access due to the remote nature of the break.
- Rarely crowded, but don’t assume safety—reef hazards and limited rescue capability apply.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ambanilia
- Nearest Town
- Ambanilia
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Basic guest houses in the Toliara region; limited options in Ambanilia.
- Food & Drink
- Local markets in nearby villages.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia)?
The best overall months at Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) are June, July.
Which wind directions work at Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia)?
Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) works with E winds.
What skill level is Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) suitable for?
Nosy Andrea (Ambanilia) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.