Just off of Madagascar’s northeast coast, this volcanic island is the country’s largest and busiest tourist area. The name means "big island," and there are smaller islands are all around. The highest peak here is nearly 458 meters (1,500 feet) tall. Wildlife thrives at the well-protected Lokobe Reserve, and the island is home to one of the world’s smallest frogs and most colorful chameleons. Most visitors come for the beach, but despite thousands of tourists, the atmosphere is quite and calm, without too much development to tarnish the scene.
- Photo: Pierre-Yves Babelon / Shutterstock
