Surf: The islands of Nosy Ve (marine and land sanctuary) and Nosy Satrana are 30mins from Anakao, by motorised dug-out. Featured in the surf film Chocolate Barrels, Flame Balls (we incorrectly translated it as Flame Bowls) is one of those long spitting lefts with plenty of barrelling sections off the northern tip of Nosy Ve. It’s the most technically demanding wave around, not for beginners and is grumpy if the tide isn’t high and the wind is not blowing SE, which usually means it is an afternoon session. It can cover some impressive distance on a good day with plenty of barrelling sections linked by speed carve walls. Environment: It’s a semi-heavy wave, not for beginners and is fairly fickle as wind, tide and current can wreak havoc on the conditions. Near the Safari Vezo Resort are two islands, Nosy Ve and Nosy Satrana. Only 30 min away, by motorised dug-out, Nosy Ve is a reserve, being the only breeding ground in Madagascar for the red-tailed tropic bird. An area of the coral reef around Nosy Ve, named the Aquarium, has been declared a protected area by the local communities and is hence off-limits for fishing.