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At the heart of Sakalava culture: 5 days of unforgettable cruising in the wild Mitsio archipelago

Main characteristics
Type of boat: trimaran 1
Number of cabins: 4
Maximum capacity: 8 travelers
Crew members: 4

Cabins

Double cabin
Capacity: 2 Beds maximum
Wooden double cabin with storage for maximum comfort. This warm, elegant cabin, inspired by natural beauty, features built-in storage, maximizing space for a pleasant stay on board.
NB: The photos, information and visuals presented are not contractually binding. The indicated itinerary and program may be modified without prior notice, depending on the weather conditions or for technical reasons (decision of the captain). Sailing times may vary depending on sea and weather conditions.

Sailing itineraries

Nosy Be Nosy Komba Nosy Tsarabanjina
Early departure from the boat’s home port (the Crater) towards Nosy Komba and its main village... see+ (Ampangorina), 9 nautical miles away, which is about 1.5 hours of sailing.
To port, the magnificent primary forest of the Lokobé Reserve, the only original forest area remaining on the island of Nosy Be. This tropical rainforest plunges sharply into the sea, offering striking contrasts of emerald and turquoise.
Ampangorina, a peaceful and family-friendly village with its beach lined with the embroidered cloths of local artisans, will allow you to make some craft or vanilla purchases. Children and adults will be delighted to visit the lemur park, where the lemurs are very friendly and very fond of bananas. Late in the morning, departure for Nosy Tsarabanjina (27 nautical miles, about 5 hours of sailing).
Upon leaving Nosy Komba, to starboard, Nosy Vorona (Bird Island) is a small paradise rock, about the size of two football fields. A concession has been granted by the lighthouse and buoy service, in exchange for maintaining a small lighthouse useful to sailors. It is one of the few still in service in Madagascar. Then, Nosy Faly with its large white sand beaches comes into view on the starboard side. After a few hours of sailing, you will reach Tsarabanjina, the beautiful one (or the island of white sand). Sacred land of the Sakalava, it spans about twenty hectares with lush vegetation and pristine beaches.
Significant birdlife: moorhens, frigatebirds, cormorants, ankoay or Madagascar fish eagle for the lucky ones. 
Included activities: Visit to the village of Ampangorina, see+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Nosy Tsarabanjina Ankarea Grande Mitsio
Leaving Tsarabanjina to the northwest, you approach the Four Brothers. These four characteristic... see+ volcanic monoliths form a quadrilateral emerging from the sea's surface. From certain angles, their alignment is perfect. At the dawn of time, the gods had sent five brothers, guardians of the Mitsio.

Following a family disagreement, one of them decided to leave one day. The brother closest to him began to wither away from sorrow, to the point that no bird came to nest there anymore. The one who left settled off the coast of Baie des Russes; he is called the "Sugarloaf" or the Diamond (for those familiar with Martinique).

These rocky domes with steep walls prohibit access to their summits. They provide an ideal shelter for thousands of birds and a nesting site for hundreds of families of brown boobies, white-tailed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and straw-tailed tropicbirds. The brown boobies (Sula leucoblaste) do not hesitate to fly close to the boat. They dive into the ocean at breathtaking speeds. The frigatebirds (Fregata ariel and minor), with their slender silhouettes and black and white plumage, are called "kleptoparasites." They attack the boobies in mid-flight to steal their food.

After the Four Brothers, we head to the Mitaraka point, southwest of Grande Mitsio. An exceptional geological phenomenon is worth a detour: basalt columns plunge into the foam of the waves. These long hexagonal formations, several tens of meters high, aligned, vertical, and symmetrical, seem to have been carved by human hands. The atmosphere of the site is magical.

We quickly arrive at Nosy Ankarea. Lunch on board. This site is the highest in the archipelago, with a peak reaching 238 meters.

This uninhabited island, formed of basalt cliffs, located 5 nautical miles west of Grande Mitsio, presents a tabular summit emerging from the ocean like a warship. Its dark and massive silhouette is, however, very vegetated. Although it seems difficult, the ascent, equipped with a good pair of sneakers, is achievable via its southeast flank. A flock of roussettes (Pteropus rufus) with their shrill cries flies close to the cliff tops. These bats, also called fanihy, are frugivorous and harmless. Its summit and steep walls conceal a veritable forest of exceptional endemic vegetation (pachypodium, hildegardia, euphorbias, baobabs…).

Its waters, remarkably clear, reveal their coral reefs up to about ten meters deep. Erosion has created small, shallow natural pools with rounded shapes. The underwater exploration conditions are remarkable. A nap in a hammock, in the shade of tall mango trees bordering the fine sandy beach, represents a worthwhile alternative to sporting exploits.

In the late afternoon, we depart at sunset to reach, in time for the aperitif, our sheltered anchorage in Maribe Bay, west of Grande Mitsio. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Grande Mitsio Nosy Lava
Depending on your excursions, departure for Nosy Lava, (approximate time: 2h00). This is the 2nd... see+ largest of the Mitsio islands (3.6 km long). Deserted island. Few beaches, but a magnificent tombolo at its south-western tip. Anchorage is available nearby, depending on conditions.
Nosy Lava (not to be confused with its namesake in Radama) offers excellent snorkeling and popper fishing spots, thanks to its steep coastline, which is particularly vulnerable to predators. The interior of the island is more difficult to access, due to dense vegetation.
Well-hidden at the end of a cove, a vast grotto conceals multiple sarcophagi containing the remains of Sakalava kings. The place is preserved and sacred. To visit it, you must be invited by Sakalava passing through. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Nosy Lava Nosy Fanihy Sakatia
Depart for a long, south-south-westerly tack towards Nosy Fanihy (sacred island) at the northern... see+ tip of Nosy be. Passing in front of the 4 brothers, you'll be able to make a stopover for snorkeling, if you wish. Around this small island (1 km) you'll find beautiful coral reefs, which we recommend for snorkeling. A beautiful sandy spit for sunbathing.
Just a stone's throw from Nosy be, Nosy Sakatia welcomes you for your last night and a gentle return to civilization. Located 1 nautical mile west of Nosy be, it's known as the orchid island, home to a wide variety of tropical plants. Home to around 250 inhabitants, the island's inhabitants have created beautiful forest trails through plantations of ylang ylang, vanilla, pepper and coffee. Many chameleons and bats make their home here.
This very hilly island offers beautiful panoramic views from its heights. The scent of toka gasy (traditional rum distilled in artisan stills) wafts through the villages, inviting you to enjoy a moderate tasting. You can choose to anchor in front of a wild beach, or in front of one of the two hotels. 
Included activities: Swimming and snorkeling, see+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sakatia Crater Port
Depending on your departure time, a walk around the island or an early morning boat ride back to... see+ the crater. This program is offered as an indication only; you can shorten it, extend it or modify certain destinations as you wish. The choice of anchorages depends on weather conditions. We will be happy to work with you to design your "tailor-made trip". 
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Included

The price includes
Entrance fees to marine parks
Airport/boat transfer
Fuel for boat and dinghy
Snorkeling equipment
Excursions according to the programme with a local French-speaking guide
The activities included in the program
Meals included in the program
The price does not include
Personal expenses
Tips
Meals not included in the program
Further information
Even if the boat is equipped with sails, it will mainly be powered when the conditions are too pitch for the sails to be used
Optional services
Flights not included in the program are available on request

Activities

Visit to the village of Ampangorina
Included
Swimming and snorkeling
Included

Information about the partner

Commercial history with Filovent

New Filovent partner, no business history yet.

    • Pierre
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