Discover
Visiting Île Sainte-Marie
Île Sainte-Marie, or Nosy Boraha, off Madagascar’s East coast, is one of the best places in the Indian Ocean to watch humpback whales, which come to breed mainly from July to September. The rest of the year, the island offers palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs, the car-free Île aux Nattes a few minutes away by dugout canoe, and the old pirate cemetery. It is about an hour by air from Antananarivo, or by boat from Soanierana Ivongo depending on the weather. Allow three to four days, and book early for the whale season.
At a glance
Must-sees in Île Sainte-Marie
- Humpback whale watching
- Île aux Nattes
- Pirate cemetery
Trips & stays
A tailor-made stay in Île Sainte-Marie
Our local team designs your stay around Île Sainte-Marie: hand-picked accommodation, French- and English-speaking guides, transfers and a driver throughout. Tell us your dates and what you love, we send a detailed itinerary within 24 hours.
Car hire with driver
Getting around Île Sainte-Marie
Laterite roads, tracks and deceptive distances: a local driver means freedom without the bad surprises. All our vehicles come with a driver.
Illustrations for guidance only: within each category the vehicle you get may vary (Terracan, Prado, Pajero, Starex…). Indicative prices from Antananarivo, driver, fuel and insurance included; the final price depends on the route (Tana–Tuléar, Diego, Nosy Be…) and the type of track, and is set out in your quote.
Excursions
NewDay trips from Île Sainte-Marie
Examples while Madevasion finalises its excursion list.
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Around Île Sainte-Marie
Our services
Nearby destinations
Tours through Île Sainte-Marie
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Our detailed Île Sainte-Marie guide is currently available in French: read it in French.