Ile Ste Marie

On the east coast of Madagascar is a narrow tropical island, Ile Ste Marie.

This island comprises of sandy beaches decorated with coconut palms. Coral reefs protect the island’s coves and bays, while hills glisten green. Located nearby is the quaint offshore islet of Ile aux Nattes as well as the uninhabited Ilots aux Sables.

The hotels on this island are small and unobtrusive, incorporating the island’s romantic pirate history.

Perhaps the finest whale watching can be offered from Ile Ste Marie. Through the channel between the island and Malagasy mainland, large groups of humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic to the sheltered waters of Ile Ste Marie. They come to calve and nurse their young between the end of June and September.

There are some superb diving opportunities on Ile Ste Marie. The waters are abundant with tropical fish, marine turtles and pirate ship wrecks. With just a mask and a snorkel, you can swim in the shark free lagoon to see a diversity of coralline formations.

On the island is the 400 hectare forest, Ikalalao, known for its orchid species. It also contains at least three species of lemur, including the fat tailed dwarf lemur and the mouse lemur, Microcebus. There’s also a large variety of chameleons.