Nosy Tsarabanjina is a private island 40 nautical miles northeast of Nosy Be, in the Mitsio Archipelago. It is a small and beautiful mountainous island, fringed by white sand beaches and encircled by coral reefs. Its luxuriant vegetation includes baobabs and pachypodium. This idyllic island which was the setting for Joanna Lumley’s BBC Castaway; Constance Lodge Tsarabanjina is perfect for those wanting a relaxed, social and unpretentious atmosphere, with no media or telephone to interrupt thoughts, just the warm sea breeze and perhaps the occasional sighting of gliding frigate birds and fish eagles overhead. Tsarabanjina exemplifies the term ‘barefoot luxury’.
Twenty-one thatched, rosewood bungalows, with en-suite showers, face two beaches of soft white sand that are lapped by that incredibly clear water, all enjoy an uninterrupted view out to sea. Every bungalow is unique, each one bearing the name of a flower, a tree or a fish. It consists of the main bedroom equipped with fans,a bathroom with shower and a separate WC, a private terrace with deck chairs and coffee table.
Mauritius owned Constance Hotels have made recent improvements to the food and public areas, as well as soft refurbishments to the bungalows themselves, and service levels are now greatly improved, without affecting the relaxed atmosphere that is so refreshing. A measure of how successful Tsarabanjina has been is evident in the number of repeat clients it attracts. The bar counter is full of small brass plaques with the names of clients who have returned three times to this slice of heaven, but there is still space to add your name too!
Meals are taken in the mezzanine level restaurant, which enjoys a fabulous sea view. Breakfast and lunch are taken from the buffet; dinner is à la carte. Delicious fresh seafood is a prominent feature of the cuisine at Tsarabanjina. There is also a bar, with a floor of sand, from which you can admire the sunset, and a shop.
There are lots of activities on offer. You can go windsurfing or sail a hobie cat – with or without an instructor. You will find canoes in which to circumnavigate the island. You can snorkel from the beach or from a motor-boat and water-skiing is offered each day. There is a daily aqua-gym session and, given sufficient numbers, a beach volleyball match in the early evening, when it is cooler. Massages are available at the Health and Fitness Centre and there is also a gym here. There is outstanding diving in the coral reefs of the Mitsio Islands and the lodge has a PADI dive centre (additional charge). The fishing is superb (additional charge). There is a tennis court in the centre of the island, near reception; or you can explore the island, watch the fish eagles overhead and the dolphins feeding offshore. If whales are spotted in the vicinity, impromptu whale-watching excursions are organized. (In 2008, there was wonderful whale-watching every day for the three weeks from 14 August).
Situated 90 minutes from Nosy Be by speedboat, or 15 minutes by private helicopter, in the Nosy Mitsio archipelago Tsarabanjina is certainly castaway.