boat Ste Marie

Hi all,

Has anyone made the trip by boat from Ile Ste Marie to Maroantsetra? We will be at the island from 8-9 October and would like to leave round 12-13 October to Maroantsetra.
I find a lot of stuff about the trip the other way around, so arriving at Ste Marie, but is it possible FROM Ste Marie TO M too?
Some guides speak of ‘trusted’ cargo-boats as Estilina, Geralda II, Tsiriny, Savannah, Red Rose and Rosita. Do they leave every day? Is there another way, for example by ferry?
We are an adventurous couple with a lot of traveling experience in less developed countries, but the internet is not very helpful on this subject…;-)
Thanks for the reply!
Willem

Hi Willem,

Sure it's possible to take a cargo boat from Sainte Marie to Maroantsetra. Many people in Maroantsetra, including the family I stay with when I'm there, have relatives on Sainte Marie and travel back and forth to visit.

There's no ferry up to Maroantsetra, and the cargo boats don't operate to fixed schedules. You'll need to go to the harbour, find out what is going and when and talk to the skipper about a passage. You won't necessarily find one leaving every day, but you shouldn't have to wait long.

As far as "trusted" boats are concerned, you should certainly take a close look at the vessel before deciding to sail with it. The waters between Sainte Marie and Madagascar itself can be treacherous, and two ships have been lost with fatalities this (southern) winter. In October the seas will have become calmer, but this isn't a trip you would want to do in a real rustbucket. Local people who can afford to be are very picky about what boats they travel with and when. You might feel happier if you get an up-to-date weather forecast before committing yourself.

The only other way apart from flying is to take a ferry from Sainte Marie to Soanierana-Ivongo, about 60 km north of Toamasina/Tamatave. You can pick up a taxi brousse from there to Mananara and then on to Maroantsetra, which is an adventurous trip in itself.

Good luck.

Hi Willem,

Sure it's possible to take a cargo boat from Sainte Marie to Maroantsetra. Many people in Maroantsetra, including the family I stay with when I'm there, have relatives on Sainte Marie and travel back and forth to visit.

There's no ferry up to Maroantsetra, and the cargo boats don't operate to fixed schedules. You'll need to go to the harbour, find out what is going and when and talk to the skipper about a passage. You won't necessarily find one leaving every day, but you shouldn't have to wait long.

As far as "trusted" boats are concerned, you should certainly take a close look at the vessel before deciding to sail with it. The waters between Sainte Marie and Madagascar itself can be treacherous, and two ships have been lost with fatalities this (southern) winter. In October the seas will have become calmer, but this isn't a trip you would want to do in a real rustbucket. Local people who can afford to be are very picky about what boats they travel with and when. You might feel happier if you get an up-to-date weather forecast before committing yourself.

The only other way apart from flying is to take a ferry from Sainte Marie to Soanierana-Ivongo, about 60 km north of Toamasina/Tamatave. You can pick up a taxi brousse from there to Mananara and then on to Maroantsetra, which is an adventurous trip in itself.

Good luck.

Marogisa,

Thanks for your reply! We are looking forward very much to the upcoming journey. So in the last week all the bits and pieces come together and we will be off by next week.

Very curious on what to find over there, we will be on the lookout for a sturdy boat.

Cheers
Willem

hello
now i am in Ile Ste Marie,to go there there are cago boats EL BETE LA IV cap mobil telefon 0325540865 but like they say to cross is no so good,
we are going tomorrow to Mananara and later to Maroantsetra with Taxi brousse is every day leving from Soaniera Ivongo.
If you come to ile ste Marie,if you can go to ille Natte (chez Sika the best place to stay)pure paradise and for dinner go to Arsene very good place;
Good luck
ASIEr