Discover Sainte-Marie between farniente and fiesta

Visit Saint-Marie Island in Madagascar

Quietly enjoy yourself in a heavenly place combining both primitive forests, fine sandy beaches and turquoise sea while snacking exotic fruits, so tasty. Who has never dreamed of spending such moments? All these conditions are met to make the island of Sainte-Marie an idyllic holiday place. How to reach it?

The island of Sainte-Marie is the second tourist island of Madagascar after Nosy-Be . It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 10 km from the northeast coast of the large island. Since it was very little visited before, the endemic fauna and flora of this tourist destination remained intact. A coastline remained in its natural state and a crystalline sea surrounded this paradise garden of 200 km2 to form a painting worthy of a postcard.

How to get to Sainte-Marie from the big island?

To reach Sainte-Marie, we can:

– Take a plane from Antananarivo, the Capital of Malgaches. Air Madagascar regular flights serve the island every day. - We can also take a direct flight to Toamasina, the great port of Madagascar, to reach Ambodifotatra, the only airport of this islet of 30,000 souls. - It is also possible to land on the shores of Sainte-Marie with a motor boat or a star. The local operators of Soanierana Ivongo, a small town located about 20 kilometers from Toamasina, offer the route for a few thousand ariary .

The Saints-Mariens live from fishing and food farming. A wide variety of crustaceans and seafood as well as succulent tropical fruits, among other things, papayas, bananas, mangoes, litchis, coconuts and corossols sell at very low prices on the marshland stalls. After tastings of local specialties or during breaks between discovery activities and water sports, you can easily be tempted by the natural juices, sorbets and ice creams that can be consumed without moderation during a stay in Sainte-Marie.

On the return, remember to take fresh fruit and vanilla or cinnamon pods as well as cloves and ground coffee that are sold at affordable prices throughout the island.

Main photo credit : Libertalia

Scarlett Green

I'm Scarlett Green, a passionate traveler forever captivated by the world's allure. My life is a tapestry of vibrant experiences, from summiting majestic peaks to embracing cultural diversity. Every destination tells a story, and I'm here to share those stories with you. Through my words, I aspire to ignite your wanderlust, offering insights, tips, and the sheer thrill of discovery. Let's embark on this extraordinary journey together, unraveling the world's hidden treasures and creating lasting memories along the way.

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