Where is Nosy Iranja?

How to describe Iranja Island. It seems like an impossible task, but I will attempt to use words to paint a picture. And I will provide photographic evidence that do this island only a moderate amount of justice.

Picture the most idyllic tropical island you’ve ever seen/read about/heard of. White sand beaches. Diamond turquoise water. Palm Trees laden with coconuts. Postcard perfect.

At high tide it appears as two separate islands, while at low tide, it is joined by a stretch of pearl white sand a kilometer long and only about ten meters wide. When the tide fills, the water rushes to meet from both sides of the sand spit and collide in a wonderful spray of turquoise and white.

Nosy Iranja

We were lucky enough to have two visits to this island in the same week. The first time, we had a quick lunch and snorkel before the captain insisted we continue to Bararahumay River. Though the time was brief, we did see some awesome marine life including a three foot Bumphead Parrotfish and a Picasso Triggerfish. There were also schooling ballyhoo with blue and yellow tails. Apparently they call them halfbeaks here. We’ll keep our ‘hoo.

Nosy Iranja Lighthouse built in 1909

The second time we came to Iranja, we got to stay the night. In the afternoon, we did some more snorkeling, marveling at the multi colored and shaped fish. We also climbed the small hill to check out the lighthouse, which constituted of the most walking we’d done since getting on the boat. We’ve swam considerably farther.

Abdou, the boat’s first mate, got a key to the lighthouse from a local, so we climbed the 79 steps to the top. The views were beautiful; blue seas all around. Fun fact: the lighthouse was designed by Gustov Eiffel himself. We think he’s famous for some big landmark in Paris as well.

When we climbed down, Nick found a chameleon the size of his forearm, tail excluded, so we got to have some fun trying to photograph his good side while Mr. Chameleon tried to climb away from us and up a tree.

Nick & a Chameleon

We ended up anchoring the night in Iranja and did a bit of night snorkeling. Unfortunately, the tide was high so the reef was a bit deep to see any creatures close up, but the phosphorescence in the water was absolutely incredible. I made everyone in our group turn off their lights so we could play in the oceanic stardust.