Things to see and do Tamatave – Toamasina

This little island was once a port, after being a repaire of pirates. It is a sacred place for the descendants of the Zanamalata, a Métis born of the union of pirates and Malagasy princesses. One of their most important cemeteries, with the tombs of the Zafindrabe family, of King Ratsimilaho's dynasty (th century). Inside the island, a huge cast iron pot (about a metre in diameter) was used to prepare the royal meals during the Fêtes festivities. It is still an object of worship, since we come to the site of the pot. It was on the reefs surrounding the island that Thomas White, the future father of King Ratsimilaho, failed before the love of a princess and a pirate would give birth to a Métis dynasty.

The palm grove of Ivondro is an agro-touristic domain belonging to the Savonnerie Tropicale S.A. You will be able to make half-day tours including the visit of the oil palm plantation, the discovery of tropical products (vanilla, coffee, banana, clove, cinnamon...), the betsimsaraka handicrafts, cultural excursions, bird watching and finally the visit of a mini-sugar factory... On the spot, you will find a good restaurant which proposes products made with coconut. A beautiful excursion.

There are traditional betsimisarakas dances, performances of songs and theatre, but also discover groups of local varieties. The program is posted on site.

This small island covered with dense forest offers the opportunity for a day trip from Toamasina (about 1h30 of navigation from the port). Here the seabed is superb; a mask and a snorkel allow you to get close to the marvelous ocean fauna... In complete safety because the coral reef belt blocks all access to the sharks. On the island, you can walk in the forest, walk to the lighthouse (the highest in Africa at 66 m). Put in your bag some products to keep away the insects that abound in the forest...

Ludovic rides you around the island aux Prunes. Observation of bats, snorkelling, tour of the lighthouse and possible fishing.

Tamatave, also known as Toamasina, is a coastal city in Madagascar. It offers visitors a unique experience with its culture, cuisine and magnificent scenery. To explore the city, tourists can use the services of Mada Expeditions, a local agency specialized in organizing trips to Madagascar. They offer tours by bus and small train to discover the city's various tourist sites. Mada Expeditions is a trusted agency, verified by the travel community and selected by Quotatrip. Travelers can also consult the reviews and comments of other travelers on Trustpilot to get an idea of their experiences with Mada Expeditions. Whether you want to discover the beauty of Sainte Marie, go on an adventure along the RN7 or enjoy an ecolodge, Mada Expeditions offers a variety of options to make your trip to Madagascar unforgettable.

Boulevard Joffre is the city's main commercial center. Here you'll find banks and exchange offices, car rentals, travel agencies, pharmacies, grocery stores... all in a concentrated area. To find your way around, ask a rickshaw or cab to drop you off in front of the Hôtel Joffre or the Bazar-Bé, and then set off on foot. The seafront promenade runs along a beautiful beach. Locals gather here from 3pm to spend the evening by the sea. But be warned: "Swimming prohibited: sharks". Between pointe Asti and pointe Tanio, boulevard Ratsimilaho, facing the port and the open ocean, offers a beautiful panorama. As you walk to the port, you can see the pretty bay of Toamasina. Old colonial-style Creole buildings line the palm-fringed waterfront, their ochre facades showing the passage of time.

Continuing along the promenade, you pass the Great Mosque and arrive at the port, built by a Franco-German consortium in 1934. Further south, along boulevard Ivondro, the beach is not very hospitable, as the slaughterhouses attract many sharks. For swimming, head further north. In the town center, the large market (Bazar-Bé) is very lively. Here you can stock up on fruit, vanilla sticks, powder and syrup, cloves and cinnamon. Regional handicrafts are well represented, with woven ravinala basketry, fabrics, lamba... Along boulevard Ratsimilaho and rue du Commerce, the narrow streets lining the port are home to warehouses. The scent of vanilla mingles with that of cloves. If you're invited to visit the warehouses in November and December, you'll be able to watch Madagascar lychees being packed before they leave for Europe. Nearby, Place Bien Aimé is known as Place des Banians: planted in the 1920s, they are indeed spectacular! This was the historic heart of Tamatave, where the village of Ampasimazava was located. It is said that ancestors used to worship here. Not far from the station, the Bazar Kely is a fairly large market. Here, asphalt soon gives way to sandy tracks. The popular districts begin. Avenue de l'Indépendance, the city's widest street, is home to the region's territorial administrations. Open-air balls are frequently held near the town hall. At its maritime end, Avenue de l'Indépendance joins Boulevard Ratsimilaho.

Nice botanical garden where the vegetal varieties of the great forest of the East are well represented. An opportunity to greet lemurs (we observe at least five species in semi-liberty). Ecological approach of sustainable development of the places to underline. A visit to the garden of medicinal plants, to the old prison and to the fish farm is recommended. A snack bar and a refreshment stand are available. Jean René, a French-Malagasy half-breed who created a factory and a sugar refinery and developed education under the reign of Radama^I, is buried here.

This tomb is said to contain the remains of the ^17th-century prophetess Séraphine Frantsay, who was said to perform miracles and heal people. Her tomb is still visited today, and in great numbers... Maybe you'll see for yourself: people come to his grave to ask for love, fortune, health and happiness... And they leave a plate! Buy one at the bazar-bé, and ask the cemetery keeper to point out Seraphine's grave.

It is reported that, in the th century, the Prophetess Timasy Vavitiana lived in this place and made miracles. She was buried on this site, and her descendants perpétuèrent the tradition by gradually burying into what became a place of worship where people gathered together. This traditional religious practice déplaisant the missionaries, the colonial administration decided to exhume and expel sacred relics at the municipal cemetery. In order to prevent worship, a monument was built surrounded by chains.

Approximately 7 km from Toamasina was the largest merina in the region. The only remains are vestiges. The cannon defended the garrison against the maritime attacks of the French and British navies. The hill surrounded by marshes and its surroundings is a fascinating landscape.