Island Sainte Marie Tour

Sainte-Marie and Nosy Borach Island
Sainte-Marie, known as Nosy Borach, is a tropical destination off the east coast of Madagascar. This small island, 49 km long and 5 km wide, offers an idyllic landscape consisting of small fishing villages and pristine beaches. Genuine and preserved, he promises to change the atmosphere!

history
Jews?
Between legend and reality, the history of Sainte-Marie or Nosy Borach is fascinating. Some also call it Nosy Mbawi or the “island of women.”
According to legend, a Jew named Abraham or Ibrahim was attacked by a horde of women upon arrival on the island. Tired and hungry, he met an elderly woman who offered him food out of pity.
Grateful Abraham blessed his benefactor and his descendants, so that they always found water during their journey. The fable says that spring is approaching the old woman’s house.
Referring to this story, some historians claim that the first foreigners who came to the island were Yemenis, Yemeni Jews.

The legend of Jonah
Another legend provokes Nosi Borahu in connection with the biblical myth of Jonah. According to a villager named Borach, Jonah, who was chased by a whale, was rescued by a dolphin, who left him on the island.

Pirates
The first Europeans landed in Nosy Borach at the end of the 16th century. Pirate Thomas White married a princess from eastern Madagascar.
Their union allowed the birth of the Zanamalata dynasty. Their son, Racimilaho, founded the Betsimisarak ethnic group, uniting coastal tribes. His kingdom extended to Mahawelon.

In 1685, Nosy Borakh became an important refuge for pirates. Most of the ships passing by were destroyed. Pirates have benefited from a safe haven at Sainte Marie.
They sacked all the spice carriers from India who landed on the island to stock up or repair ships.
Some historians estimate that 1,000 pirates took refuge on the island. Some wrecks of pirate ships are still visible near Forbans Bay.
Two of them allegedly belonged to Captain Kidd and Captain Condent. Tombs of pirates also sheltered in the bay, near the Ambodiphotatra.
French people
Nosy Boraha entered French rule in 1750, more precisely on July 30, when Queen Betty signed the treaty.
However, according to reports, Bats, the daughter of Racimilaho, fell in love with a former former Gascon soldier named Jean Onisime Filet (nicknamed La Bigorne), who would use all his charm to force the Queen to sign this treaty. Betty’s Palace has become the Governor’s Palace, and now – a museum.
On the island of Madame, where this monument is located, there is also the first Malagasy Catholic Church (1857), whose altar was a gift from Empress Eugenia, wife of Napoleon III.
However, the first French who arrived here and settled there were pirates. You can also visit their tombs in the Ambodifotatra.

Sainte Marie Island today
Friendly population
The pearl of the east coast of Madagascar, Sainte Marie is fraught with a thousand and one rarities. Between walking, swimming and tasting a coconut punch against the backdrop of a bewitching sunset, you will have enough space to occupy you during your stay. Forget about racing to visit, take full advantage of every relaxation and landscape, in peace and tranquility.

Nosy Boraha is surrounded by several kilometers of sandy beach, not far from the bays of Antongil and Tinting, other alleged habitats of pirates.
The island inherited a beautiful cultural and linguistic mixture. The population mainly speaks of Saint-Marien, an association of French language and dialects of the Big Island, in addition to some Bantu, English and Indonesian influences. The friendliness and generosity of the locals are also benefits that enhance the charm of the destination. Allow yourself to be stunned by the peaceful atmosphere of this place and people’s interest in life.

Islands, beaches and bays

In addition to the main island, there are several islets in Sainte-Marie.
Lush vegetation, beaches, bays and bays await you in this fabulous country. The main island can be visited on foot or by bicycle. Even if the reliefs are uneven in the eastern part, there are beautiful beaches, such as the Ampani Peninsula, which is separated from the land by the Gulf of Ampani. Swimming enthusiasts should be vigilant, as the water there is deep. To get to the most isolated bays and bays, go for a walk by canoe.

Coral reef protects berries. Indulge in scuba diving and admire the carnelian that make up the lagoon, tropical fish, as well as sea turtles that settled in the sunken pirate ships.

The Forest
Like all destinations on the east coast of Madagascar, the island of Sainte-Marie has a lot of rainfall, which has a beneficial effect on the lush nature. Visit Ankaren Beach, bordering forest vegetation and a coastal cave, to discover the flora and fauna of the Indian Ocean.
Covering an area of ​​400 hectares, Ikalalao Forest is home to many species of orchids. It is also a refuge for three species of lemurs: microbes, mouse lemurs, and pygmy lemurs. All chameleons live there.
The Ambodena secondary forest contains a wide variety of birds, chameleons, geckos and tree frogs. On the primates side you will find mouse lemurs, brown lemurs with white heads, soft gray lemurs, and red and white wolf cubs.
In the forest of Ampanii, a mangrove dominates for exploration by canoe. Sea turtles sometimes land on the beach to lay eggs.

What to see in Sainte Marie?
The Catholic Church, built in 1857, whose altar is a gift from the French Empress Eugenia.
The old fort, which is located on a hilltop. You can still see the Louis XV badge there.
Forbans Island, round in which the ruined arc is located.
Saint Pierre Pirate Cemetery, built on a peninsula, etc.
climate
Nosy Boraha has a tropical climate. Consider the hot and tropical season from January to April, the mild and wet season from May to August, and the mild and dry season from September to December. Temperatures range from 20 to 30 ° C, with variable rain and sun.