Southwest Madagascar
Andakatomivola
- Max depth22 m
- CertificationFull cave
- SpecialExperienced divers
Diving and fills
Dive here with
The dive
The entrance is a muddy chamber full of bats, and the water starts brown and murky. Sinking through that layer, you enter what Phillip Lehman called 'the most decorated cave anyone has ever seen'.
Profile and sections
The entrance is a muddy chamber full of bats, and the water starts brown and murky. Sinking through that layer, you enter what Phillip Lehman called 'the most decorated cave anyone has ever seen'.
In 2014 the team heard rumours of caves 80 km north of Toliara. The villagers at first would not have their sacred places disturbed, but after seeing footage of cave dives elsewhere, chief Fahazoa performed a cleansing ceremony and the team was allowed in.
Practical: only with an organised expedition, permission and the ceremony.
- Depth and profile
- The first dive went to 22 m; maximum depth not published. Axolot does a shorter dive here without a stage.
- Configuration
- A shorter dive without a stage.
Who can dive where
- At least Full cave
- Configurations: Backmount / twinset / Sidemount / CCR / Small cylinders / no-mount (speleo sumps)
- Configuration unknown — research beforehand
- Goes down to 22 m (trimix or deco may be needed)
- Experienced divers only
This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.
How to get there
In the Mikea Forest, on the tribal land of the late chief Fahazoa's village: a longer hike through the forest, then a steep slope with thorn bushes and big boulders. A ceremony is needed before you enter the water.
Around Andakatomivola
FillsNo fill station known nearby
Caves nearby4
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