Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SLEEPING & EATING
All the hotels here are basic and on the main road, although some are a long walk from the
port with luggage. There is no internet connection anywhere.
Charme de la Mer
HOTEL €
( 033 72 025 78; d Ar25,000, without bathroom Ar20,000) This small budget gem, hid-
den behind Relais on the left as you walk out of town, is worth the trip and the bucket
shower. The secluded double room in back, facing the sea, is the best in town, with its own
little porch and waves breaking on your pillow (or so it sounds). If you want a private bath-
room, the room opposite will do. There is a small cook-to-order restaurant, or you can eat
in Relais.
Relais
HOTEL €€
( 033 72 025 78; d Ar30,000) This hotel has basic rooms and the best restaurant in the
neighbourhood.
Hôtel Les Escales
HOTEL €
( 033 08 486 38, 033 17 403 03; bungalows without bathroom Ar16,000) This is the ob-
vious choice, as it is located right next to the boat jetty, with a tiny porch where you can
have a beer and watch the madness when the boats arrive.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Boat
There are four main shuttle boats from Soanierana-Ivongo to Ambodifotatra on Ile Sainte
Marie. All have offices on the waterfront in Ambodifotatra and Soanierana-Ivongo. On av-
erage boats leave Ambodifotatra around 6am and Soanierana-Ivongo around 10am. Cross-
ing time is 1¼ hours for the fastest boat,
Melissa Express
. Transfers from Tamatave take
anotherhourandcostAr10,000eachwayforallcompanies.Youcanoftennegotiateaprice
reduction of Ar10,000 on a return ticket. Before sailing out to the island, passengers are
asked to go to the nearby police station to register.
If you have no reservation, make sure you know when the boats leave, as they all leave in
the morning based on the changing tides. Arrive early to get your pick of the litter. There's
not a lot to discriminate between them except when they depart (departures take place over
an hour or so) and how long they take (
Melissa Express
saves a half hour on the slowest
alternative). The important thing is to assess which boat will arrive first.
