Madagascar opening up to yachts

Created by webmaster. Last modified on 2002-08-23 13:06:38
Contributors: Tom Mueller, yacht MIZMAE
Countries: Madagascar

With the Red Sea becoming a difficult area for yachts, it appears that lot of boats will come through Madagascar, most of them taking the route over the north Cape d'Ambre. The number of boats is also high this year because of the Sydney Olympics and the America's Cup in NZ.

With the number of tourists being down by as much as 70 % also due to the cholera incidents in 2000, the yachties are very welcome in all villages and also Nosy Bee/Hell Ville. Services have improved and authorities have become much more service-minded, friendly and have standardized the bribes. Local people come to the yachts in a very friendly manner and almost shyly, often wanting to trade rather than sell things for cash money.

Clearing in these days are around 100 USD. That includes a one month visa only. If you obtain your visa abroad (Mayotte/Comoro Isl, Reunion, Mauritius, Australia, RSA), you will be issued a 3 month visa for about the same price. Hell Ville authorities have finally got a boat which carries the officials checking yacht documents and clearing papers between Nosy Mitsio and Baramahany Bay/Nosy Irania. Boats reported also that clearing in Mahjunga and Tomasina was equally painless and the places much more secure and settled than expected.

While the local market is well stocked, spare parts are difficult to get and have to be brought in. But you will be surprised how much can be repaired instead of being thrown away like in the "civilized" world. You can find a lot of skills and good trades people. Teak is easy to find and extremely cheap to take along.

Infrastructure like roads, water pipes, sewage and garbage facilities are in a sad state. However, good fresh water can be found at the "German factory" just around the corner from Hell Ville anchorage, on Nosy Komba down by the beach-tap, and in Crater Bay where you will also find repairs, LPG, diesel, petrol and a calm anchorage.

We found many people, especially the younger generations, speaking excellent French and some even good English.

The weather report consist of fax based reports from RSA, Fred's "Peri- Peri" Net, Tony Britchford's "Kiore" Net and the French spoken weather report from Mayotte.

In essence it is safe to say that Madagascar is quickly becoming easier and safer for yachts. With the usual care taken there is no reason to be too worried and an amazing place can be discovered.

Thomas Mueller, Lilly Vedana

Yacht MIZ MAE in August 2001