SAINTE MARIE

S/1 - On the trail of pirates (Historic Visit)
Sainte Marie is located on two important trade routes of the 17th century: the one of the Red Sea and the one of the Indian Ocean. Sainte Marie became a popular basis for pirates all along the 17 th and the 18 th century because of many reasons: it was not far from the maritime ways where transited ships coming back from the Indies the holds overflow of wealths, it was provided of bays and creeks protected from storms and finally, it was abundant in fruits and in soft water. A lot of vestiges of this history subsist at Sainte Marie. For example, several authentic pirates vessels lie again at few meters of the bottom of the «Baie des Forbans» 


S/2 - Forests and nature

Small villages away from modern life, intimate coves to deliver appealing landscapes. The visit will take you gradually into the depths of the island garden. Many discoveries wait for  you: a natural waterfall, tiny tree frogs at the edge of the forest Ikalalao, small villages, a distillery and a clove cane traditional press, perhaps an old story in a small shop... 

S/3 - Stop at the “île au nattes”
After a quick transfer canoe or motor boat on the lagoon separating the island from 2 km in diameter that of Sainte Marie, you discover Nosy Nanto, the little sister of the island Boraha, like a pearl in its emerald jewel.  Surrounded by superb beaches and in luxurious tropical vegetation, Nosy Boraha, the “women island”, is a magical place With its lighthouse, its picturesque villages and roads without motor vehicles, the place is outside time. You will certainly feel like a Robinson.

S/4 - Bay Ampanihy

Our car will send you to the east of the island Boraha, until fine lagoon this long a dozen kilometers which is lined with mangroves. In his entry, inlets is powered by a source of fresh water under a former Marine legend of St. Mary attributes the discovery to the friendship between a man and a great fish. Further, the typical hamlet of Anafiafa is a picturesque stop. From here you will enjoy access to the peninsula by boat on the tranquil water, passing under the mangrove areas by forming a tunnel plant. You can then browse through the forest Ampanihy which covers the dunes and beach along the beautiful wilderness of the shackle of Ankoalabe caressed by the winds of the Indian Ocean.


S/5 - Getaway with whales

The Mégaptères are characterized by their jumps out of water and their songs. The migration of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) is an event not to be missed. From July to the end of September, Sainte-Marie becomes a meeting point for humpback whales which have come here to reproduce and also to give birth to their calves in these warm waters, after a very long journey taking several months. These giant cetaceans become the main attraction of the island. You can see them jumping in the ocean from the beaches and villages. The island is ideally situated for whale watching, we may indeed admire from the terrace of some hotels. To maximize the chances of observation, a getaway boat engine with a competent guide is recommended.

S/6 - Diving

Safe from sharks, the lagoon island of Sainte Marie has significant coral structures. Across the island, many dive sites preserved open to amateurs of all levels (shipwrecks, tombs, coral garden ...).