Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha), a 57 km-long island off Madagascar’s east coast, is an authentic tropical island with lush vegetation interspersed with many small villages. This island is beautiful, offering the ultimate escape from civilisation. The hotels along its coast range from basic to classy establishments with all necessary modern facilities. The lush surroundings bring to mind images of an enormous tropical garden. It’s ideal for honeymoon couples or anybody with a romantic flair. Ile Sainte Marie boasts numerous white sandy beaches and secluded coves, fringed with coconut palms. The coral reefs offshore offer excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. In August and September, hump-backed and other types of whales migrate here and are a huge attraction. The roads beckon mountain bikers and most hotels hire bicycles and snorkelling gear.

Ile Aux Nattes is a small island south of Ile Sainte Marie. Off its idyllic beaches are some of the best reefs in the Malagasy region. This is a wonderful option for budget travellers. Boat transport to and from the nearby Ile Sainte Marie is easy to arrange. No cars on the island!

Ile Sainte Marie Excursions:

Please note: excursions are not included in any of our prices. Excursions can be booked directly at the hotels. Prices are an indication only.

There are many wild sandy shores on Ile Sainte Marie, which are accessible by boat. Enroute stop off for a refreshing swim and take some memorable photos of the breathtaking scenery!

Pirate Cemetery, Ilot Madame and Ambodifotatra: ½ day excursion without lunch
Departures from: Soanambo, Masoandro.

Drive to the capital of Ile Sainte Marie, Ambodifotatra and hike along the lagoon for 20 minutes to the Pirate Cemetery. At high tide the transfer will be done by pirogue. Back in Ambodifotatra visit the former French colonial governor’s house on the small island Ilot Madame and the first Catholic church of Madagascar, which was constructed in 1837, on the outskirts of the town. Short city tour and transfer back to the hotel.

Ilots Aux Sables: day excursion with lunch
Departures from: Boraha Village, Soanambo, Princesse Bora.

Leave by speedboat around 09h00 and arrive an hour later at the sandy atoll surrounded by crystal water, full of shells and coral reefs. A paradise for those who like snorkelling and photography. Umbrellas will be set up and you are free to snorkel around the magnificent reef. Picnic on the sand bank. Charter fishing possible but at extra costs. Back at the hotel around 15h00.

Ile Aux Nattes
Departures from: Boraha Village, Soanambo, Princesse Bora.

You will be collected by a traditional pirogue from the hotel. Thirty minute transfer through the crystal clear lagoon to Ile Aux Nattes. Your guide will take you on a tour of the small island introducing you to the endemic flora and fauna. Visit the small villages in the interior and climb to the summit of the island to the old Blévec lighthouse. On your return you will walk along the beaches on the west coast and stop for a picnic or lunch at a local restaurant. Swim and snorkel and walk back to the northern point of the island from where you will be transferred to the hotel by pirogue. Back at the hotel around 16h30.

The Eastern trail to Ampanihy: day excursion with lunch
Departures from: Boraha Village, Masoandro, Soanambo and Princesse Bora.

Leave the hotel early and drive by 4x4 to Anafiafy. 30 minute walk to Ampanihy from where we will embark by pirogue through mangroves to the magnificent Ampanihy peninsula. This peninsula is completely virgin territory and the beaches are untouched. Enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the crystal clear water. Seafood picnic on the beach. Drive back to your hotel on the southeast road and visit the vanilla, pepper, cinnamon and clove plantations. Back at the hotel around 18h00 in time for sunset.

Il Balenottero Dive Centre
A highlight of anybody’s trip to Ile Sainte Marie will be the excursions with Il Balenottero diving centre. A marine facility offering whale watching tours in their own yacht and scuba diving under the supervision of charming Massimilio “Max”. The diving is both spectacular and varied with many different dive sites available including ship wreck dives. The meals (at your own cost) which follow the dives in different restaurants on the island are fantastic! Diving off the northern most tip of the island will take you for lunch at Cocoteraie Robert, which most certainly qualifies for the restaurant at “the end of the universe”.
Price per dive                  ~ Euro 40
Price per night dive         ~ Euro 50
Dive package 6 dives      ~ Euro 220
Dive package 10 dives    ~ Euro 340

Whale watching without lunch
Departures from: Boraha Village, Princesse Bora, Soanambo, Masoandro.

Whale watching excursions operate from 1 Jul to 30 Sep. This entails taking a boat trip and cruising very slowly around the humpback whales without encroaching on them. These magnificent creatures reach a length of 15-18 meters and are distinguished by their developed breast fins. The whales are generally playful and companionable, this being evident by their spectacular jumps and approachable nature. As the boats near the whales, the engines are shut off in order not to frighten them and thus allow boats to overtake the whales and reach a minimum distance of 100 m. Occasionally some curious whales and their calves will approach the boats and swim under or around the boats, allowing you to observe them at close range and take spectacular photographs.

The adventure begins at Megaptera’s base camp with the eco guides, meeting at 08h00 sharp: You will have a 10 minute oral briefing before going to admire the cetaceans. The eco guides will teach you the proper way to approach and observe the whales.

It’s all the more exiting since you are part of the team!  We will provide all the necessary general information about the Megaptera and answer all of your questions as well as any of your posts in the observation catalogue on-line (updated in real time): www.megaptera-oi.org

Thanks to you, each expeditions helps finance scientific data collection. Each of you has an active role to play on board according to your knowledge and aptitudes:

•    Photo identification
•    Geographic pinpointing with GPS
•    Recording the whale’s song with the hydrophone
•    Genetic sampling to identify the DNA of each mammal
•    Behavioural study
•    Timing apnoea

Our data collection adds to a worldwide database, which allows us to enrich our knowledge of humpback whales and, by consequence, to better their protection.

In the evenings, Princesse Bora is able to host conferences in the lodge. During the presentation, you will be introduced to the scientific, behavioural and environmental aspects of marine mammals – their characteristics, their way of life as well as dangers to their conservation, some solutions and the efforts underway for their protection.

Suggestions for excursions:
Please bring light shoes for walks, sunglasses, suntan lotion, mosquito repellent, hat, T-shirt for snorkelling, camera, local money for drinks and souvenirs. It is forbidden to purchase any coral and shells from the vendors! At some of the beaches you will need to bring rubber booties to walk into the ocean as there are sharp urchins.

Ile Sainte Marie excursion prices

Pirates Cemetery, Ilot Madame - ~ Euro 24 per person ex Soanambo or Masoandro; ~Euro 10 ex Boraha village.

Ilot aux sables:                           ~Euro 70 per person (min 3 pax) ex Soanambo.
Ilot aux Nattes:                           ~Euro 38 per person ex Soanambo.
Ampanihy (on foot):                     ~Euro 20 per person ex Masoandro.
Ampanihy (by car):                      ~Euro 100 (min 5 pax) ex Masoandro.
Whale watching – Il Balenottero Centre: ~Euro 45 per person.

Related News:

 IT07-E-Madagascar Ile Sainte Marie: Princesse Bora ***+ - 21-05-08 19:07

 IT07-B-Madagascar Ile Sainte Marie: Boraha Village *** - 17-04-08 16:47

 IT07-C-Madagascar Ile Sainte Marie: La Crique ** - 17-04-08 16:47

 IT07-A-Madagascar Ile Sainte Marie: Baboo Village ** - 16-04-08 16:47

 IT07-G-Madagascar Ile Sainte Marie: Soanambo Hotel *** - 16-04-08 16:47

 IT05-A-Madagascar The East: Andasibe-Mantadia (Perinet) & Ile Sainte Marie - 15-04-08 15:21

 IT07-D-Madagascar Ile Sainte Marie: Masoandro Lodge: *** - 10-04-08 16:47