In a magnificent bay, 45 miles northeast of Nosy Be, many islets formed of rocks and shallows skim the sea to form the Mitsio archipelago. With its immaculate beaches and its turquoise waters, it serenely appears like a majestic haven of peace and beauty, an ideal place for relaxation or exploration. With many orchids and baobabs, the lush tropical vegetation is a spectacle in itself. Several fishing villages stand alongside its very well preserved idyllic beaches. To the south of the island, basalt columns, known as Organ Pipes, emerge from the sea and the bowels of the earth in the form brown rock rods several tens of metres high.