| Bay of Diego Suarez | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Bay of Diego Suarez Location in Madagascar | |
| Location | Diana, Madagascar |
| Coordinates | 12°13′50″S 49°17′34″E / 12.23056°S 49.29278°E |
| Ocean/sea sources | Indian Ocean |
| Basin countries | Madagascar |
| Settlements | Antsiranana |
Antsiranana Bay (also known as Diego-Suarez Bay) is a natural bay that stretches close to 20 kilometres (12 mi) north to south along the northeast coast of Madagascar.[1] The waters average a depth of more than 20 metres (66 ft), and the main channel can be as deep as 50 metres (160 ft).[1] The bay, protected by a narrow inlet that provides shelter from strong Indian Ocean winds, is believed to be the result of a submerging coastline or a drowned river valley that formed many peninsulas around the bay.[1]
The bay's principal city, Antsiranana, is located on a headland.
The bay was first recorded by European explorers in 1500; sailors in the service of Portugal named the bay for the leader of their expedition, Diogo Soares.[1] The bay was later used for shelter by a number of pirates and privateers during the Golden Age of Piracy, and it has been speculated as a possible location of the legendary pirate colony Libertalia.[1]
