October 2004 - Madagascar
 Facts
More cruising boats have been visiting Madagascar in recent
years and reporting excellent experiences there. Previous
issues with "special fees", corrupt officials, and
petty theft have been greatly reduced. Whether this is due
to less criminal activity or a heightened awareness on the
part of cruising sailors is not clear - though it is probably
a combination of the two.
The most attractive ports and anchorages are on the north-west
coast where Antseranana, formerly known as Diego Suarez, has
a beautiful natural harbour. The old town has a cosmopolitan
atmosphere with its mixed population of Malagasy, Arabs, Indians,
Africans and Réunionnais.
Further along the coast is Madagascar's prime attraction,
the picturesque island of Nossi-Be, now a thriving tourist
resort. Another island worth visiting is Nossi Boraha (Ile
Sainte Marie), close to Toamasina, the country's chief commercial
harbour and main port of entry. The latter is a good place
to stop for yachts on passage to the Cape of Good Hope.
Another interesting stop for southbound yachts is at Taolanaro,
formerly Port Dauphin, the site of the first French settlement
in the seventeenth century.
Good repair facilities can be found at Mahajanga, on the west
coast, which is used by many foreign shrimping boats as a
base of operations. With the increase in visiting yachts,
repair facilities are improving in Nossi-Be.
(Source: Noonsite)
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