Whale Watching on Sainte Marie

Madagascar beckons with its pristine beaches, playful lemurs in ancient forests, and unforgettable encounters with humpback whales. Upon your arrival at the Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, aka Tana, our English-speaking driver guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. (Remember to adjust your clock on landing! Add two hours in summer and three hours in winter to GMT.) If you want to hang out to have a meal or disport yourself, please remember to take your passport because restaurants, bars and discos here will check it as stipulated. At night, it’s advised to use a taxi (ask the hotel for recommendation) as going from door to door is the safest way.

★ Attention:
Due to the lack of local flights, the departures for this route are only available on Mondays and Fridays. When booking your flight from your home country, be sure to consider the arrival date in Antananarivo of Madagascar. If your desired travel date falls outside these days, don’t worry! Just contact our travel consultant in advance. We can work with you to create a customized itinerary that fits your arrival timeframe.

► Best Time to Visit:
If you’re specifically here for whale watching extravaganza, July to September is the prime season, when you can witness hundreds of majestic humpback whales gracing the coast of Madagascar during their migration. If whale-watching is not a necessity for you, any time during the dry season (winter) from April to October is great for a broader wildlife experience. Be aware that the hot and humid rainy season (summer) from November to March may affect the comfort of travel. Some dirt roads might become muddy, and access to certain national parks may be limited. Take it easy. We’ll craft the perfect itinerary to match your preferred activities, pace, and interests, no matter the season.

Accommodation: Asia & Africa Hotel - Ivato Airport, Antananarivo (4 stars) or similar

Fuel up for adventure with breakfast at your hotel before our friendly driver-guide whisks you away to the airport for a smooth 1-hour flight to Sainte Marie. This paradise island, nestled off Madagascar’s east coast, awaits your arrival. Another driver will ensure a seamless transfer to your hotel for check-in, so you can start relaxing right away.

► Insider Tips:
From Antananarivo to Sainte Marie, there are only four flights per week, on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule may adjust slightly during the low season. While the rainy season can occasionally lead to cancellations, we'll work tirelessly to find the best alternative for your trip in case of any disruptions.

► Recommended Activities for Your Free Time:
Maybe rent a scooter from the hotel to explore the north. Sainte Marie was the most famous pirate stronghold during the 17th and 18th centuries, with quite a few pirates living here for more than 100 years. Trace the pirate history by visiting the world’s only remaining Pirate Cemetery with dozens of headstones engraved with images of crossbones and skulls. Here is also said to have buried bones of legends such as Captain Kidd and Thomas Tew. Then wander around the local town Ambodifotatra, charming for colorful colonial buildings and shops selling local produce and handicrafts which you may collect some as souvenirs. Be sure to try some of the delicious Malagasy street food, such as samosas, kebabs, and fresh fruit skewers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aurora Lodge, Sainte Marie (3 stars) or similar

At your hotel lobby, our driver guide will escort you to the harbor. Hop on the whale watching boat with experienced crew and fellow whale enthusiasts. The boats are typically equipped with comfortable seating areas, restrooms, and a shaded upper deck for viewing.

★ Encounter Humpback Whales in Their Natural Habitat
Set sail into the calm waters of the Sainte Marie Channel, a breeding ground for humpback whales. This area is considered one of the best places in the world for whale watching due to its protected waters. Keep your eyes peeled for these magnificent creatures as they breach, spyhop, and glide alongside the boat. Listen for the haunting songs of the male humpback whales, a sound that can travel for miles underwater. Our knowledgeable guide will share with you the interesting facts about humpback whales’ behaviors, migration patterns, and the local conservation efforts. After a thrilling morning, the boat will return to the harbor. Our driver-guide will then accompany you back to your hotel.

► Insider Tips:
1. The best time for whale watching is from July to September, when humpback whales migrate to the area to mate and calve.
2. Pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and seasickness medicine if you are prone to it.
3. Consider bringing a camera with long zoom lens to capture close-up photos of the whales.

► Free Time Suggestions:
Sainte Marie boasts some of Madagascar’s most stunning beaches, including Nosy Buraha, Ile aux Nattes, and Sainte-Marie Plage. Many beaches have loungers and umbrellas for rent. If you’re feeling active, you can go for a swim, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking. There are also some perfect diving sites here, among which the most popular is CocoBay, famous for its orange and pink corallines. Take the opportunity to dance with diverse colorful tropical fish such as unicornfish. With any luck, a 2-meter-long (6.6-feet-long) ray will glide past you. If you are interested, turn to the hotel staff for help about how to participate in these sea-based activities.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aurora Lodge, Sainte Marie (3 stars) or similar

No guided tour today.

► Recommended Activities:
Ready for more beach time, or up for some new adventures? Perhaps just hike around Sainte Marie to relax both mind and body. There are several scenic hiking trails on the island, offering breathtaking views. A popular option is the trail to the Pointe à Lonjo, which takes you through lush rainforest and provides panoramic views of the east coast. Or canoe about five minutes to a very pristine islet - Ile aux Nattes to take a leisurely stroll on soft silver sands or fish under verdant green palm trees. Here, visit Linda Plantation de Vanille to learn about vanilla and its production process; you can also climb to the rooftop terrace of Maison Blanche house, right in the middle of Ile aux Nattes, for a panoramic view of the island (please note that to access it you need to order a drink or pay 2,000 ari for a ticket).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aurora Lodge, Sainte Marie (3 stars) or similar

It’s time to bid farewell to Sainte Marie and head back to the capital Antananarivo. Our driver will ensure a timely transfer to the airport for your flight. Once you touch down in Antananarivo, another driver will be waiting to escort you through the 4-hour drive to Andasibe. Upon arrival, check into the hotel for rest.

► Rest and Enjoy at Nature-Embraced Lodge
The carefully selected Vakona Forest Lodge lies in a beautiful garden, where the sounds of birds, frogs and various wildlife will make you feel right in the vibrant nature. Enjoy self-financed local food and drinks at the restaurant and bar built on an artificial lake while observing fish and birds. There is also a wonderful outdoor swimming pool for you to wind down after a long day’s physical exhaustion. 

► Things to Know:
1. Poor Road Condition: Madagascar’s infrastructure is still developing, so some road trips involve unpaved sections. Expect some bumpy stretches, especially on dirt roads that can become muddy during rain. To ensure your comfort and navigate these sections smoothly, we’ve prepared high-clearance, off-road vehicles. As the trip would be dusty, ask the driver for masks, which we have prepared for you in advance. 
2. Frequent Power Outages: You may experience electricity cut-off at night or even sometimes during the day in our overnight accommodations (more likely to happen at lodges than hotels). When checking in, remember to ask the receptionist about the available time slots of power and hot bath water. Also find plugs to charge your devices as early as possible. If there is any devices like breathing machine that needs to use electricity continuously, please inform us ahead of time. Bring a power bank and a flashlight for backup.
3. Possible Network Outage: In the wild areas of Madagascar, your mobile phone can barely get a signal, and you might not find Wi-Fi available in hotels either, so be aware to take care of your urgent work affairs and check with your close contacts in advance in big cities like Antananarivo where you still have Internet access.  

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe (3 stars) or similar

In the morning, you’ll go on a rousing exploration in the Analamazaotra National Park. Start with a guided walk to look for different species of lemurs like the Indri Indri, Diademed Sifakas, common brown lemurs, and the black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Known as the “rhythm master” in primate kingdom, Indri Indri, the largest lemur, is often heard without being seen actually. Their cry, which sounds like a ball being squeezed, is so loud that it can be heard clearly even from about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. By the way, animals here are more active in the morning, so expect to spot as many kinds as you can.

► Insider Tips:
1. For maximum protection in the forest, long sleeves are a great choice. They shield you from the sun’s rays and help ward off mosquito bites. Mosquito repellent is also necessary.
2. Rainforest animals can be easily startled. Observe them quietly and respectfully from a safe distance. To ensure their well-being and your safety, avoid interacting with them unless instructed by your spot guide.

► Recommended Restaurant for Lunch:
Perhaps head to the Feon’ny Ala Hotel Restaurant, located at the edge of the Analamazaotra National Park, to settle your lunch as most travelers do. Tasty dishes with European, Chinese and Malagasy flavors like zebu steaks and vanilla chicken are all served here at prices similar to elsewhere in Madagascar (USD 5 / MGA 23,000 for per main dish), and the restaurant promises that they use fresh ingredients. According to our research, it lends itself to Chinese cuisine experience as it is owned by a Cantonese. Remember to eat outside on the open terrace over a creek to view nature around. If you are interested, it is recommended that you order a meal with the help of their attentive waiters in advance before visiting the park.

After lunch, set forth for Vakona Reserve, also known as Lemurs Island. It is private to Vakona Forest Lodge, with some tamed lemurs, especially Diademed Sifakas, which are easily recognizable with a size second to Indri and orange-gray fur and are considered one of the best-looking primates in Madagascar. These beauties are tame and enthusiastic about humans, and if you have some water or bananas with you, try to feed them for a close encounter.

Then, let’s end today’s tour with a taste of Malagasy daily life in the Andasibe Village and a market. Roaming about the market, you will be surprised to find that its alleys are clean and stalls are orderly with a wide range of goods. As local prices are relatively low, perhaps pick some fruits if you like.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, our driver guide will take you to the Voimma Forest. Here, lemurs including the ones you’ve seen yesterday still can be found - seize your chance to say hello to them! Except for these, bamboo lemurs also live here; go with your local park guide to discover its curious secrets like how they survive on a diet that is high in the toxin cyanide while still alive and well! Also spot a variety of birds, orchids, and other endemic plants, some of which hold medicinal value for local communities.

Later, we will start our road trip back to Antananarivo. On the way, stop to visit the Reserve Peyreiras Exotic, a small private farm perfect for macro photography of animals native to Madagascar. Observer incredible number of chameleons, butterflies and snakes at close range, and maybe even put a chameleon in your hand with local guide’s help to witness its skin color change. A glint of reptilian scales may also catch your eyes as a crocodile occasionally basking on the riverbank. Upon arrival in Antananarivo, check in at the hotel.

► Recommended Attraction for Your Free Time in Antananarivo:
If time permits, visit the Croc Farm near the airport, which houses numerous crocodiles, including the largest Nile crocodile over 6 meters (20 feet) long, many of which have been taken in to avoid harming people around their original habitats. Lemurs, as well as other endemic reptiles and amphibians, such as chameleons, lizards, tortoises, can also be observed. If you haven’t seen fossa in Maromizaha, you get 100% chance to meet it here.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Serviced Apartments Antananarivo City Centre (4 stars)

Today marks the end of your Madagascar whale watching tour. Let’s visit the sacred King’s Palace on Royal Hill of Ambohimanga in the morning. Once home to the great king of Andrianampoinimerina (1787-1810) who endeavored to bring the then divided island into one, Ambohimanga is now a UNESCO-honored site offering insight to local history and culture.

Following your tour’s conclusion, our driver will take you to Ivato Airport of Antananarivo at a designated time for your flight home. We suggest you be at the airport three hours prior to your departure. Carry the luggage yourself if you can, as porters would charge you for their service and some would be unhappy if you give small change. Wish you a pleasant journey home!

Meals: Breakfast

► More Surprises Await You to Discover in Madagascar!
Would it be a pity to travel in Madagascar without visiting the world-famous Avenue of the Baobabs? On both sides of this 260-meter-long (853 feet) avenue stand hundreds of towering and fat Baobab trees, their silhouettes in the sunset constituting a splendid picture. In addition to this, there are more lemur species, unique stone forest of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and Jurassic Karst sandstone formations in Isalo Nation Park for you to discover. If you are interested and would like to extend your tour, contact us to customize a perfect tour for you!