{"id":169,"date":"2026-07-02T14:50:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T14:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/best-beaches-in-madagascar\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T14:07:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T14:07:38","slug":"best-beaches-in-madagascar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/best-beaches-in-madagascar\/","title":{"rendered":"Best beaches in Madagascar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Did you ever think of Madagascar as a beach destination? If not, then prepare to be amazed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Madagascar is a biodiversity hot spot. A roadtrip on the island takes you along a variety of landscapes; from highland plateaus to lively rainforests, stunning canyons, and colossal <\/strong>baobabs<\/strong><\/a>. And then, there are the beaches. Some of which even rival the renowned Seychelles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is our guide to the best diving and kitesurfing spots in Madagascar and the most beautiful beaches to visit on your self-drive journey. Let’s dive in and discover the hidden gems of Madagascar!<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Ile Sainte Marie | Whale watching & low-key Bali vibes<\/h2>\n

Imagine the atmosphere of Bali but then 30 years back without the crowds. This is Ile Sainte Marie; a little paradise in Madagascar.<\/p>\n

The Bounty Island is also known by the name Nosy Boraha and used to be a notorious pirate hideout in the 17th century. The beaches offer sparkling blue water, beautiful flowers, and calm bays. Adventurous snorkelers and scuba dives can dive for pirate ship remains in Baie des Forban and visit an actual pirate cemetery, while the east Coast of Ile Sainte Marie brings you some fine kite-surfing spots. <\/p>\n

The main town of Ambodifotatra offers shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Prefer to be close to the beach? Then pick your accommodation farther north or south. The tuk-tuk is the main mode of transport on Ile Sainte-Marie. You can also hire a bicycle, scooter or quad to explore the island. <\/p>\n

Do you want to visit Ile Aux Nattes? Then hop on a boat (pirogue), it will take you to the shores of Ile Aux Nattes in just 5 minutes (for just 2000 AR pp).<\/p>\n

When is the best time to visit Ile Sainte Marie?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Whether tends to be most stable in June and from August till December. July to September is the best time to see humpback whales at Ile Sainte Marie, but you could also be lucky in June and October. <\/p>\n

How do I get to Ile Sainte Marie?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Madagascar Airlines<\/a> operates flights from Antananarivo to Ile Sainte Marie. Be aware: the flight prices are steep, and delays and last-minute cancellations are not uncommon. <\/p>\n

Another option is taking the ferry and combining a stay at the bounty island of Nosy Boraha. The ferry leaves from Mahambo (recommended) or Soanierana Ivongo. You can park your car safely at Hotel Le Piroque in Mahambo, from where it\u2019s a 5-minute walk to the port. The hotel staff can sort you out with the tickets. Ferry tickets cost around \u20ac 25 for a round trip.  <\/p>\n

The crossing takes about 3,5 hours. Be aware that the weather on Madagascar’s east coast is unpredictable, and the sea can be rough. It is, therefore, not guaranteed that the ferry departs daily, and the crossing can be cancelled at the last minute. Not to worry, though, spending an extra day on the palm-fringed beach of Mahambo is no punishment in our eyes.<\/p>\n

For a detailed 6-day self-drive route, including Mahambo and Ile Sainte Marie, view our Tropical Extension itinerary here. <\/a><\/p>\n

\"Ramena<\/p>\n

2. Nosy Be Archipelago | Madagascar’s most famous tropical retreat <\/h2>\n

Nosy Be consists of an archipelago of several smaller islands and is the most famous beach destination in Madagascar. They\u2019re often called the Seychelles of Madagascar because of their tranquil azure waters and white, soft sandy beaches.<\/p>\n

Nosy Be is also the most developed tourist destination in Madagascar. Its contrast to the rest of mainland Madagascar is quite big: good roads, plenty of hotels and restaurants in all price ranges, and almost everybody speaks English! <\/p>\n

We recommend including a Nosy Be-stay in one of our Madagascar travel itineraries.<\/a> After some adventurous weeks driving on rough roads and enduring basic facilities, Nosy Be can be a wonderful treat! How to get there, what to do and where to stay? We have written an extensive blog about Nosy Be and all you need to know: <\/p>\n

Nosy Be Travel Guide<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3. The beaches of Northern Madagascar | Kitesurfing, snorkelling and sleepy towns <\/h2>\n

When travelling through Northern Madagascar<\/a> with a 4×4, make sure to visit the following beautiful beach towns and ports:<\/p>\n

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    Diego Suarez: <\/strong>The port city of Diego Suarez, officially named Antsiranana, is located on the northern tip of Madagascar. Diego Suarez is named after two Portuguese explorers, Diego and Suarez, who arrived at the bay in 1543. For many years, the city remained an important military and deepsea port, but the city has declined. Today, it’s a laid-back town with less freight traffic due to the challenging road conditions to the capital, Tana. Most people visiting or flying into Diego Suarez airport come for the good kite surfing conditions in nearby Sakalava Bay. Diego Suarez is nice to wander around for an evening meal. Colbert Street is affectionately nicknamed the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es of Madagascar, with its old grandeur and faded colonial buildings. On Colbert Street, you will find a string of souvenir shops and some good restaurants, like Tsara Bena. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Ramena: <\/strong>Located 20 kilometres east of Diego Suarez, Romena is a laid-back beach village where the locals from Diego Suarez like to hang out. It’s a good place to go for a local seafood lunch. A popular day trip from Ramena is a visit to the Emerald Sea, a 50-minute boat ride from Ramena. Emerald Sea is a gorgeous lagoon, and after Rio de Janeiro, the second largest natural bay in the world. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Pigeon Bay and Dunes Bay: <\/strong>Pigeon Bay and Dunes Bay are two beautiful white-sanded beaches that you don’t want to miss out on. The waves make for hours of fun in the water, and you’ll probably have the beaches all to yourself.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Sakalava Bay: <\/strong>The next bay on the coast is called Sakalava Bay. Sakalava Bay is a perfect spot to learn to kite and for experienced riders alike. The wind blows every day from morning to dusk, 9 months in a row from mid-March to late December, and it peaks between June and September. The bay has flat and shallow waters, whilst you can ride waves behind the reef. As Northern Madagascar is quite remote, you won’t be sharing this beautiful bay with lots of other surfers, ensuring safety on the water. The best place to stay along this bay is Kite Paradise Madagascar.<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Mer d’Emeraude: <\/strong>The Emerald Sea is a shallow lagoon with nice warm water, perfect for snorkelling and spotting turtles. A visit to Mer d’Emeraude in Madagascar is just a short boat ride from Ramena or Antsiranana.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    4. Madagascar’s West Coast | Off-the-beaten-track beaches<\/h2>\n

    The West Coast, between Tulear and Morondava offers a rougher and off-the-beaten-track beach experience \u2013 but has beautiful golden sands and sparkling waters. Soak in the Vezo culture while you’re here, and make a stop at Ifaty, Madiorano, Salary or Andavadoaka to enjoy some quiet, rustic shores. <\/p>\n

    Tulear is a seaside town and the final destination along the RN7. With its mangroves and shallow waters, we admit it\u2019s not the best of Madagascar\u2019s beaches. However, after having spent a considerable amount of time in the car driving the RN7, we doubt you can resist. If you stop here, make sure to book a stay at Bakuba. It\u2019s probably the most spectacular and wonderful lodge in Madagascar! <\/p>\n

    Are you curious how to incorporate the rough West Coast in your Madagascar self-drive itinerary? Check out our Grand Circuit <\/a>route for directions and things to do on your road trip along the West Coast of Madagascar. <\/p>\n

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    Discover the best beaches of Madagascar by car<\/h2>\n

    We hope that we have gotten you excited about Madagascar’s stunning beaches! Are you ready to plan your roadtrip on the island? Our self-drive itineraries <\/a>help you map out your ultimate Madagascar roadtrip, exploring both popular and off-the-beaten-track highlights. <\/p>\n

    More questions? Feel free to contact us<\/a>! Roadtrip Africa is happy to point you in the right direction as you prepare for your adventurous self-drive holiday in Madagascar. <\/p><\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Family Selfdrive Safari In Kenya Openroof Mark Bell\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tTaste of Kenya<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tUganda’s Finest<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tNorthern Safari Circuit <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTanzania<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t10 days<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t803 km<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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