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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • 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)
Heads up
  • Waves are unreliable and often small
  • Reef hazards (rocks/shallow sections) and sharks
  • Remote access and limited/no rescue presence at the spot
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
21–28 °C
Water Temperature
22–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mm full suit (or 2mm shorty noted)
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded year-round.

Storm/Rain Season

January to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Point break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate to Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsWetsuit

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.

Restrictions
  • Avoid going out without adequate experience for reef hazards and shallow rocky sections.
  • Respect strong tidal currents near the reef pass.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.