The district contains the Masoala Peninsula, and is limited by Antongil Bay in south-west and the Indian Ocean on east.

It is a part of Sava Region and borders the districts of Sambava into the north, Andapa to the north-west and Maroantsetra to the west.

At the time of the last Madagascar census in 1993 149,684 inhabitants lived in this district.

[2] The main town and district capital is Antalaha The district is divided into 16 communes (from north to south) with population data based on projections for 2018: The National road 5a connects the town with Sambava (81 km) and Ambilobe in the North.

The Ambinany river, Ankavanana, Onive (nord) and Ankavia.