Eastern Madagascar

At the coast, the Canal des Pangalanes is an absolute must-do for the more adventurous traveller. The bustling waterway provides a livelihood for numerous fishermen, whose traps you will pass through on your way up the canal which terminates at Tamatave, one of Madagascar’s largest sea ports.

A short flight north of here will bring you to Ile Sainte Marie, an idyllic, palm-fringed atoll which is the premier destination for humpback whale watching from July to September. A tropical island paradise of palm-fringed beaches, it seems like time has stood still here with traditional fishing villages to explore. To its south is the smaller island of Ile aux Nattes which is a peaceful haven thanks to being car-free and works perfectly in combination with time on the main island.