Home › Destinations › Île Sainte-Marie
Île Sainte-Marie, Madagasikara / Madagascar - Things to Do in Île Sainte-Marie

Things to Do in Île Sainte-Marie

Île Sainte-Marie, Madagasikara / Madagascar - Complete Travel Guide

Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha) is a pristine tropical island paradise located off the northeast coast of Madagascar, stretching 60 kilometers long and just 5 kilometers wide. This enchanting destination combines rich pirate history with stunning natural beauty, featuring palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs, and lush tropical vegetation. The island served as a notorious pirate stronghold in the 17th and 18th centuries, with legendary figures like Captain Kidd and Blackbeard using its protected bays as hideouts. Today, Île Sainte-Marie is renowned as one of the world's premier whale watching destinations, where humpback whales migrate annually from July to September to breed and give birth in the warm waters surrounding the island. The island maintains an authentic, laid-back atmosphere with traditional Malagasy culture blending seamlessly with French colonial influences, offering visitors pristine beaches, excellent diving opportunities, and a chance to experience Madagascar's unique biodiversity in an intimate island setting.

Top Things to Do in Île Sainte-Marie

Whale Watching Tours

Experience one of the world's most spectacular whale watching opportunities as thousands of humpback whales migrate to the warm waters around Île Sainte-Marie from July to September. Witness mothers with calves, impressive breaching displays, and hear whale songs during guided boat excursions. The island's protected waters provide ideal conditions for close encounters with these magnificent marine mammals.

Booking Tip: Book tours during peak season (July-September) well in advance, with costs ranging from $40-80 per person. Choose operators with marine biologist guides and respect whale watching guidelines. Morning tours typically offer calmer seas and better visibility.

Pirate Cemetery and Museum Exploration

Discover the fascinating pirate history at the unique Pirate Cemetery, where tombstones with skull and crossbones mark the final resting places of notorious 17th and 18th-century pirates. Visit the small pirate museum to learn about legendary figures like Captain Kidd and the island's role as a major pirate stronghold. The cemetery offers stunning views over the bay where pirate ships once anchored.

Booking Tip: Entry fees are minimal (around $3-5), and visits can be combined with guided historical tours costing $15-25. Best visited in the morning or late afternoon for photography. Local guides provide fascinating stories and historical context.

Snorkeling and Diving Adventures

Explore pristine coral reefs and diverse marine life in the crystal-clear waters surrounding Île Sainte-Marie. The island offers excellent diving sites including shipwrecks, coral gardens, and drop-offs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and occasionally whale sharks. Snorkeling is equally rewarding with shallow reefs accessible directly from many beaches.

Booking Tip: Diving costs $35-60 per dive with equipment, while snorkeling tours range from $20-40. PADI certification courses are available for $300-400. Book with established dive centers that maintain equipment properly and follow safety protocols.

Island Hopping and Beach Tours

Explore the pristine beaches and smaller surrounding islands including Île aux Nattes, a car-free paradise with white sand beaches and traditional fishing villages. Discover hidden coves, enjoy beach picnics, and experience the laid-back island lifestyle. Each beach offers unique characteristics from surfing spots to calm swimming lagoons.

Booking Tip: Day trips to Île aux Nattes cost $25-40 including boat transfer and lunch. Private boat charters range from $80-150 per day. Visit during dry season (May-October) for best weather conditions and calm seas.

Tropical Nature and Wildlife Walks

Explore the island's lush tropical interior through guided nature walks that showcase endemic plants, birds, and the unique biodiversity of Madagascar. Discover vanilla plantations, tropical fruit orchards, and traditional Malagasy villages while learning about local customs and sustainable living practices. The walks offer opportunities to spot endemic bird species and learn about medicinal plants.

Booking Tip: Guided nature walks cost $15-30 per person for half-day excursions. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring insect repellent. Local village guides provide authentic cultural insights and support community tourism initiatives.

Getting There

Reach Île Sainte-Marie by flying from Antananarivo (Tana) to Sainte-Marie Airport with Air Madagascar or Tsaradia Airlines, with flights taking about 1.5 hours and costing $150-300 round trip. Alternatively, travel overland to Soanierana-Ivongo (8-10 hours by taxi-brousse from Tana) then take a 30-minute boat transfer to the island. The boat option costs less but requires more time and planning, with transfers running several times daily depending on weather conditions.

Getting Around

Transportation on Île Sainte-Marie is limited and charming, with no public buses but plenty of bicycle rentals ($5-10 per day), motorcycle taxis (taxi-motos), and traditional pousse-pousse (rickshaws) for short distances. Many accommodations provide bicycle loans or can arrange motorcycle rentals for around $15-25 per day. Walking is pleasant for exploring villages and beaches, while boat transfers are necessary to reach Île aux Nattes and other smaller islands. Most attractions are within a few kilometers of each other along the main coastal road.

Where to Stay

Ambodifotatra (main town)
Île aux Nattes
Northern beaches
Central coast
Southern peninsula
Baie des Forbans

Food & Dining

Dining on Île Sainte-Marie focuses on fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and Malagasy specialties with French colonial influences. Beachfront restaurants serve grilled fish, lobster, and zebu steaks alongside international cuisine, while local hotely (small restaurants) offer authentic Malagasy dishes like romazava and ravitoto at budget-friendly prices. Many accommodations provide excellent meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and don't miss trying fresh vanilla, tropical fruits, and the local Three Horses Beer while enjoying sunset dining with ocean views.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Madagascar

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Izumi Bandra

4.5 /5
(2514 reviews) 3

The Anja Reserve Lodge & Restaurant

4.9 /5
(420 reviews)
lodging

MAD ZEBU RESTAURANT

4.7 /5
(240 reviews)

Nosy Manga

4.5 /5
(171 reviews)
lodging

Le Fafana

4.9 /5
(143 reviews)

Le Papillon

4.6 /5
(106 reviews)

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

The ideal time to visit Île Sainte-Marie is during the dry season from May to October, offering sunny skies, calm seas, and comfortable temperatures around 25-28°C. July through September is peak whale watching season, making it the most popular but also most expensive time to visit. The wet season (November-April) brings occasional cyclones, heavy rains, and rough seas, though it's less crowded and accommodation rates are lower. Avoid January-March due to cyclone risk, but shoulder seasons (May-June and October-November) offer excellent weather with fewer crowds.

Insider Tips

Bring cash (Malagasy Ariary) as ATMs are limited and credit cards rarely accepted - exchange money in Antananarivo before arriving
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent as these items are expensive or unavailable on the island
Learn basic French phrases as English is less commonly spoken than on mainland Madagascar, and showing respect for local Fady (taboos) is important for cultural sensitivity

Explore Activities in Île Sainte-Marie