Family Friendly
Suitable for families, beginners, and all fitness levels.
Overview
Easy
4 - 11 July 2027
8 days
Madagascar
Madagascar Family Island Challenge 2027
AED 5,850
About The
Challenge
4–11 July 2027 | 8 Days | Nosy Be, Madagascar | Family
AED 5,850 per adult
AED 3,500 per child sharing with 1 adult
Island adventure with a little more purpose.
This eight-day family challenge combines volunteering, wildlife, island life and adventure in one of Africa’s most extraordinary destinations.
Based around the islands and communities of Nosy Be, the journey begins with the chance to settle into Madagascar life and explore the waters around Sakatia, including an opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles.
You’ll then spend two days volunteering alongside local charity partner Learn Achieve Become (LAB), supporting its work with the Sunrise Centre and surrounding communities. The exact programme will be shaped by LAB according to where your time and energy can be most useful during the visit.
Then the adventure changes gear.
Travel by boat to Lokobe for the final part of the challenge, exploring the surrounding islands and learning to sail a traditional Malagasy pirogue. After some instruction and practice, you’ll have the opportunity to take the helm yourself, alongside the experienced local crew.
This isn’t a challenge about covering huge distances or reaching a summit. It’s about experiencing somewhere completely different as a family: meeting people, getting involved, learning something new and having a proper adventure together.
Challenge Highlights
Explore the islands and communities around Nosy Be
Snorkel in the waters around Sakatia, with the opportunity to see sea turtles
Spend two days volunteering with LAB and the Sunrise Centre
Learn more about the communities and projects supported by LAB
Travel by boat to Lokobe and experience a different side of island life
Visit Nosy Komba and Tanikely
Learn to sail a traditional Malagasy pirogue
Put your new sailing skills into practice and take a turn at the helm
Challenge Details
Itinerary
Day 1 | 4 July — Arrive in Nosy Be
Arrive at Nosy Be International Airport and transfer to Frederick’s, your base for the first part of the challenge. Settle in, meet your fellow Gulf for Good families and start getting accustomed to island life.
No meals are included today, giving families the freedom to choose where they would like to eat after arriving.
Day 2 | 5 July — Sakatia & Turtle Snorkelling
After breakfast, transfer to Chanty Beach and take the boat across to Sakatia. Spend the day exploring the island and its surrounding waters, including the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles.
Enjoy lunch at Richard’s before returning to Frederick’s later in the day.
Day 3 | 6 July — Volunteering with LAB
Today the focus moves to the local community.
Spend the day with Learn Achieve Become (LAB), supporting its work at the Sunrise Centre and within the surrounding community. The exact programme will be coordinated locally by LAB according to current needs and what is appropriate for the group.
Return to Frederick’s after the day’s activities.
Day 4 | 7 July — Volunteering with LAB
Continue your time with LAB and the communities it supports.
Activities may vary according to local needs and circumstances, giving families the opportunity to learn more about LAB’s work while contributing where help is genuinely useful.
Return to Frederick’s for your final night there.
Day 5 | 8 July — Frederick’s → Lokobe
After breakfast, leave Frederick’s and transfer to the port.
From here, travel by boat to Lokobe and settle into your accommodation for the final part of the adventure. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 6 | 9 July — Nosy Komba & Learn to Sail
After breakfast, head towards Nosy Komba for a day on and around the water. Enjoy lunch before beginning your introduction to traditional pirogue sailing.
With guidance from the local team, start learning the basics before sailing back towards Lokobe for dinner.
Day 7 | 10 July — Tanikely & The Sailing Challenge
Today brings together everything you’ve learned on the water.
Travel to Tanikely and enjoy lunch before beginning the return sail to Lokobe. This time, you will have the opportunity to put your new skills into practice and take a turn at the helm, with the experienced owner and local team alongside as crew.
Finish the adventure with a celebration party and ceremony.
Day 8 | 11 July — Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Nosy Be International Airport for your onward journey.
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The Charity & Your Impact
Learn Achieve Become (LAB)
Learn Achieve Become — LAB — works with children, families and communities in Madagascar, including through the Sunrise Centre in Nosy Be.
Gulf for Good challengers have previously spent time with LAB supporting its community programmes and visiting projects in the surrounding area.
Rather than arriving with a fixed list of jobs, volunteering activities are coordinated locally according to current needs. This allows LAB to decide where the group’s time, skills and energy can be most useful.
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) UK Charity Commission No. 1174514
The Impact in Madagascar
Gulf for Good has an established relationship with LAB in Madagascar, with previous challenges supporting community-based projects as well as providing hands-on volunteer involvement.
Previous GFG fundraising has contributed to projects identified locally with LAB, including community infrastructure.
For the 2027 challenge, participants will spend two days with LAB and the Sunrise Centre, with the exact volunteering programme confirmed closer to travel according to local priorities.
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