If you’ve managed to rent a rugged 4×4 for the journey to Tamatave, congratulations—you’ve just aced the first and most critical step of your adventure! The drive from the capital, Antananarivo, to Tamatave takes around 11-12 hours. You can opt for a convenient car-and-ferry package that departs at the crack of dawn (3 AM) straight to Mahambo Beach.
Alternatively, continue driving for another grueling 3-4 hours on notoriously bumpy roads, aiming to reach Mahambo Beach [Google Maps] by about 9 AM. If you’re self-driving, it’s wise to secure your vehicle by paying between 10,000-20,000 Ariary to park it in the courtyard of a nearby guesthouse—trust me, it’s worth the peace of mind.
Pushing further to Ivongo dock for a boat ride to Sainte Marie Island is not advisable unless you’re an off-road expert. The road becomes increasingly treacherous, posing a real challenge even for seasoned drivers. For ferry details, refer to Figures 6-9, which outline ticket prices and other essential information.
Daily departures from Sainte Marie Island to Mahambo Beach begin at 4 AM, with return trips leaving Mahambo Beach for the island around 10 AM. A one-way ticket costs 150,000 Ariary, while the combined car-and-ferry service from Tamatave comes in at 172,000 Ariary. Choose wisely based on your driving skills and itinerary needs—the return price remains the same, though the ticket office itself can be tricky to spot.
Figure 10 highlights the discreet ticket booth located near the main road by the dock, where asking locals for directions might come in handy.
For dining, the restaurant featured in Figure 11 offers excellent service at a reasonable price of 20,000 Ariary. As for accommodations, the clean and cozy lodging shown in Figure 13 is priced at 70,000 Ariary. Need repairs? Figure 14 points out a reliable repair shop along the main road out of Tamatave, perfect for tire fixes or any last-minute tweaks before hitting the road again.
If you’re looking for a comfortable stay in Tamatave, I highly recommend SPLENDIDE HOTEL TOAMASINA, easily found via Google Maps, offering rooms starting at 70,000/90,000 Ariary.
Figures 1-5 capture breathtaking moments of whale watching on Sainte Marie Island, with tours ranging from 80,000 to 150,000 Ariary—a must-do experience for nature lovers. Meanwhile, Figures 15-18 showcase stunning photo opportunities at the beaches you’ll encounter along the way during your stopovers in Tamatave.
May your whale-watching adventure be nothing short of magical! Should there be anything I’ve missed, feel free to leave a comment—I apologize in advance for any delayed responses. I’m Shan Hai Wu, currently exploring Madagascar after independently traveling through 20 countries. My hope is that these firsthand insights will enrich your bold journey overseas!
