Diego Suarez

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The town of Diego Suarez is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's second largest natural bay with the picturesque Nosy Lonja (Sugarloaf island). Diego Suarez is named after the Portuguese explorer Diego Diaz who came to Madagascar in 1500 and the sailor Fernando Suarez who arrived at the bay in 1506. Unfortunately Diego Diaz was rather cruel to the locals and sold them into slavery.

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Although since 1975 the official name of the town is Antsiranana, literally meaning "that is at the seaside" in Malagasy, many people still refer to Diego Suarez. In 1885 the French Navy built a military base on the location, given the strategic importance of a deep-water harbour.

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During World War II Diego Suarez was under control of the French Vichy. In 1942 Britain and The Allies occupied Diego Suarez to prevent the Japanese warships and submarines from entering the harbour. Hundreds of British soldiers fell in the Battle of Madagascar. Until 1973, Diego Suarez served as a port to the French fleet of the Indian Ocean.

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Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital Antananarivo the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Antankarana and Sakalava, Indians, Arabs, Creole, Chinese, Comorians and French. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found along this street. The area south of Foch Square is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market. The entire town will go to sleep between noon and 3pm with its peak of awakeness during night time.

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The climate around Diego Suarez is hot with seven months of dry weather a year. From May to October a trade wind contributes to a pleasant temperature. Almost all rain falls between end of November and April. In those months the landscape turns from beige and brown to lush green. However, bird lovers will enjoy the dry season as birds are more visible then.

Town Hall
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Administrative block
Former Governor's Palace
Ny Havana building
School

Places to visit

There are quite a few attractions in Diego Suarez which are worth a visit. Since 2010 handwritten information boards describe in French, Malagasy and English monuments and other places of interest.

Mosque
Joffre Square
Marine Hotel
Bazary Be - Great Market Place
Foch Square
Kiosque à Musique

Day Excursions

The surroundings of Diego Suarez offer some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Madagascar. For the active travellers there are many opportunities for trekking, climbing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, kite-surfing, fishing, bicycling etc.

Tour operators

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Madaway Tours is a tour operator on Rue Colbert.


Diego Raid
Quad and 4x4

Bicycle hire and repair

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Diego Cycles is a bicycle repair and hire service at the big market place. However, the available bikes are likely cheap Chinese imports. Alternatively, Madaway Tours may have better quality bikes available.

  • Alain runs a small bicycle repair shop. The repair shop may look a bit messy, but the work done is of quality and inexpensive.

Tel: +261 (0)32 7849626 (mobile)

Tuk Tuk driver

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Dolin

Tel: +261 (0)32 9169414 (mobile)

Restaurants and bars

Bamboo
Lounge and shisha bar with good cocktails and delicious bar food

Le Taxi Be
Bar & nightclub Le Balafomanga
Malagasy - Créole - Seafood

San Diego Rock Café
Pasta - Pizza - Burger - Icecream - Café

La Terrine d'Argent
French food, homemade cooking, small informal restaurant with a few tables only. Rue Colbert, enter through small corridor in front of Le Colbert restaurant

Accommodation

Kartiffa Hotel (14 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)32 0418583 (mobile)
Email: toto@kikoohotel.com
Website: www.kikoohotel.com/kartiffa-hotel-diego-suarez.html

Hotel de la Poste
Tel: +261 (0)32 0478575 (mobile)
Email: contact@diego-hoteldelaposte.com

Hotel de la Poste Ocean
Tel: +261 (0)32 0478575 (mobile)
Email: contact@diego-hoteldelaposte.com
Website: www.diego-hoteldelaposte.com

Grand Hotel
Tel: +261 (0)20 8223063
Email: grandhotel_diego@yahoo.fr
Website: www.grand-hotel-diego.com

Hotel Le Colbert
Tel: +261 (0)20 8223289
Email: hlcdiego@moov.mg
Website: www.hlcdiego.com

Shopping

Gemstones

  • SOTROMI (Société Tropicale Minière Madagascar)

Internet Access

Shipping services

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Madahoufi Shipchandler
Avenue Philbert-Tsiranana
Diego Suarez

Contact: M. Fidaly
Email: marchedemadahoufi@gmail.com
Tel: +261 (0)32 0709821 / +261 (0)20 8222643 / +261 (0)20 320709821 / +261 (0)20 320463145

Website: http://www.madagascar-shipchandler.com

Map of Diego Suarez


Video about Diego Suarez (French)

Diego Suarez - Antoine

Photos

External links