293 on Komba

Mango trees lean over the terrace, and lemurs move through them most afternoons on their way to the fruit. That daily crossing sets the tone at 293 on Komba, a four-room lodge on the beach of Nosy Komba island, reached by a twenty-minute boat ride from Nosy Be. The lodge runs entirely on solar power, and guests are asked to skip hairdryers and other heating appliances to keep the system light. Each of the four en-suite rooms has its own entrance and terrace. The Ylang-Ylang Room stands apart from the main building, closest to the water. The Baobab Room sits upstairs with a private terrace over the bay. Meals are included. Dinner runs to three courses of local seafood and garden produce, served on a sand terrace where the sea breeze does most of the cooling. A freshwater infinity pool overlooks the water, and complimentary kayaks and paddleboards are kept ready for the bay. Further out, the island offers a hike to its volcanic summit, snorkelling at Tanikely, and seasonal whale shark trips between September and December. The village of Ampangorina is a short walk away, with craft stalls and a lemur park close by. It is a small operation, run with a South African couple and staff drawn from the nearby village.