Cruising in Madagascar

[DefinitelyMe]

Originally Posted by Westyo

Hi are you looking for crew. I'm a marine mechanic 29 years old have crewed across the pacific . I'm australian

Thanks, but we're good with just the two of us. Good luck though. I'm sure you'll find something soon if you haven't already. Cheers!

[DefinitelyMe]

Trying to revive the old thread since you guys offered such sage advice before. We’re now about to sail for Madagascar. Again. We were aiming there before, but a cyclone just popped up right in our path so we diverted to Rodrigues and here we are. Second time lucky we hope.

Question: has anyone here been to Ile St. Marie before? We’re really tempted because it’s near the region where an especially ugly lemur that my partner loves (she likes ugly things I guess. What can I say?) lives and it seems like it’d be a convenient spot for that. But I’m concerned about the South-flowing current down the East coast of Madagascar. In a SE trade wind it could be pretty nasty no? And what’s it like trying to get back out to order to round the north cape?

There’s also a bay on the East coast of the main island, behind Ile St. Marie. A place called Manompana. Any experience there?

Cheers!

[DefinitelyMe]

Now in St. Marie. It’s very nice here :-)

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by DefinitelyMe

Now in St. Marie. It’s very nice here :-)

Did you clear in anywhere? Do they care?

[DefinitelyMe]

Yes we cleared in here at Ile St. Marie. Even at this time of year there are three other yachts here. Formalities not too bad. No bribes necessary. Here and Nosy Be are probably the two best developed places in terms of tourism infrastructure and safety. We’re taking off tomorrow for one of the non-touristy places so perhaps things will be different there.

Yes I think they would care. There is no authority in the smaller bays and villages but all of the ports have a harbour master etc.

[ahun]

Well done DM, greetings from Darwin. Might follow you next year. Attila, S/V Comino

[daletournier]

I spent 4 mths in Madagascar. Definitely best to check in.

Nosey be is a very easy place to cruise, it's like sailing on a lake.

Sailing down the west coast of Madagascar is some of the best sailing I've done, it was flat and fast. The local boats are very cool.