Discover Nosy Boraha, also known as the island of Sainte-Marie
Nosy Boraha (Sainte-Marie, 200 km2) runs parallel to the east coast, about 15 miles off the coast of Soanierana-Ivongo. Regular rainfall has turned it into a huge tropical garden, planted with coconut, cinnamon, and clove trees, where anthuriums and orchids bloom.
Bougainvilleas and extravagant bougainvilleas with Indian roses and purple adorn the huts of each village, while jackfruit, banana, papaya, and mango trees thrive in the orchards.
The islanders are dedicated to agriculture (rice, coffee, vanilla, and more). Enjoy the lush landscapes and vibrant culture of Nosy Boraha on your next adventure!
Nosy Boraha, also known as “the island of Ibrahim” or “the island of Abraham”, was supposed to be named after a distant arrival of a Muslim or Jewish merchant. In the early 16th century, the Portuguese, who discovered it on the day of the Assumption of Mary, named it Santa Maria, a name that was later Frenchified to Sainte-Marie. The island is known for its cloves, breeding, and fishing (fish, lobster, shrimp). Since independence, Nosy Boraha has also become one of the country’s main tourist destinations.
History of the island of Sainte Marie
When he arrived in 1643 on behalf of the When the King of France took possession of Madagascar, Jacques Pronis established a garrison in Sainte-Marie, which was quickly decimated by fever.
Around 1685, pirates of all nationalities searching the Indian Ocean made this island their headquarters. The island holds the memory of the stormy love affair between the beautiful Queen Betia (or Bety) and Corporal Filet, known as La Bigorne, an agent of the East India Company. Betia married Filet in 1750 after officially ceding the island to France.
In the 19th century, Nosy Boraha served as a base for French-English offensives against Toamasina (Tamatave) and Mahavelona. It was administratively established in 1876.
The island of Réunion was annexed in 1888, Antsiranana (Diego-Suarez) in 1896, and Madagascar.
Nosy Boraha (Sainte-Marie) from West to East
Ambodifotatra
This small port, located at the entrance of a bay on the southwest coast, is the capital of the island.
At the southern exit of the city stands the oldest Malagasy Catholic church (1859). It was built on the initiative of Mgr. Talmond, the first bishop of the Great Island, who rests within its walls.
Its cast iron altar is a gift from Empress Eugenie. The old Fort Sainte-Marie dominates the area.
Located at the top of its hill, the fortress offers a beautiful view of the Bay of Forbans and the distant coast of Madagascar.
Originally built in the 1750s by the French East India Company and restored in the 19th century, it was converted into a prison by the colonial administration from 1903 to 1956 before becoming a military base.
Access is prohibited, but the eminence offers a beautiful view of the Bay of Forbans and in the distance of the coast of Madagascar.
The cenotaph erected near the fortress is that of Sylvain Roux, a slave trader sent by France in 1818 to assert its claims on Nosy Boraha and Grande l’Île, who succumbed to fever in 1823.
Located south of Baie des Forbans, Îlot Madame is connected to Ambodifotatra with Belle-Vue by a dike. This small island features buildings from the 19th century alongside colonial structures of the Fokontany.
Behind one of the buildings, a monument pays tribute to the French and English soldiers who were killed by the Malagasy armies in Toamasina (Tamatave) in 1845.
At the southern end of the dike, a path follows the southeastern shore of the bay, passing through streams and palm trees. This path, accessible at low tide, leads to a pirate cemetery where some tombstones are marked with a skull over two shinbones.
At the Pirates’ Cove, located in the middle of the bay, you can find an ancient buccaneer cave.
Ankarena
Located at the southeast tip of the island, on a beach protected by a coral reef, a large cave opens at the foot of the cliff. From Ankarena, you can reach Nosy Fasika (“the island of sand”) by pirogue.
Nosy Nato (Island of Mats)
A narrow passage separates Nosy Nato (“l’île aux Nattes”) from the name of a very hard wood tree, belonging to the same family as the nato, coveted by the carpenters of the southern tip of Nosy Boraha.
From the village Aniribe, where the pirogues land, a path through the vegetation leads to an old lighthouse. The panorama includes the entire island and the coasts of Grande Terre.
After crossing the large palm grove covering the eastern slope, you will reach fine sandy beaches lined with filao trees. The villagers roll up their Lambahoany to mid-thigh to fish for shellfish and sea urchins in the clear water. You can circumnavigate the island by following the coastline and returning to Aniribe.
Ambodiatafana (follow the road along the west coast and turn right at Ambatoroa)
The path leading to Passing by the Albrand lighthouse leads to Ambodiatafana. Near this village on the northeast coast, a barrier of black rocks protects a beautiful sandy beach.
At high tide, fishermen gather around this “natural swimming pool,” but swimming is prohibited for religious reasons.
The beaches of Nosy Boraha
Lonkintsy, the tip of the coconut trees, Ambodiatafana… The swimming sites follow one another from Mangalimaso to Ambatoroa on the west coast and from Sahasilotra to Ankoalamare on the east coast.
Cloves
In the villages of Nosy Boraha, cloves are preserved, a spice whose cultivation is one of the island’s main resources (Madagascar is second only to Zanzibar). The clove is the flower bud of the clove tree, a shrub native to the Moluccas, the second largest producer in the world. It takes at least eight years to be able to harvest these deep pink flower buds. This harvest mobilizes all the villagers. The buds are then spread out on mats in the sun and left to dry for several days. A fully grown tree can produce up to 50 kg of cloves per year.
Observing Whales in Nosy Boraha
From July to September, when the humpback whales visit the west coast of Nosy Boraha. 
Explore the best places to observe these marine mammals, you can watch their courtship ritual from the shore or follow their graceful movements by boat.
This destination, known as one of the best places to observe these marine mammals, is often chosen as the end of this tour.
But why do humpback whales attract so many tourists?
First of all, because they are giants of the sea with enchanting songs. According to scientists, this famous “song” is practiced by male whales only during mating season.
Then, the humpback whale offers a unique spectacle with its acrobatic jumps and tail slaps, making it a must-see for nature lovers.
Experience breathtaking shows with their spectacular jumps out of the water. Another way to charm the opposite sex.
And who hasn’t been seduced by the spectacle of water jets caused by humpback whales?
According to scientists, these marine mammals come to the surface every 20 minutes to breathe. There, they exhale air and create steam clouds, giving the impression of a water jet that can rise up to three meters high.
In Sainte-Marie, you can not only admire the humpback whale carousel, but also have plenty of time for swimming or hiking by the sea, on the islands, or in the tropical forests.
