Île aux Nattes

Nosy Nato by its Malagasy name, Île aux Nattes is separated from the southern tip of Sainte-Marie by a channel just a few hundred metres wide, crossed by pirogue. Once across there are no roads and no vehicles: you move along sandy paths between coconut palms, gardens and a handful of small waterside guesthouses. It is the picture-postcard Indian Ocean — except that it is real, and two hours' walk takes you right around it.

What to do on Île aux Nattes

The island's main activity is walking around it. Two to three hours is enough to string together the beaches, the fishing hamlets, the vanilla and lychee gardens, and to pass more schoolchildren than cars — since there are none. The island's high point, crowned by a small lighthouse, gives the finest view over the channel and across to Sainte-Marie.

The rest of the time is spent in the water: the shallow, sheltered lagoon is ideal for snorkelling over the coral heads, and the village boatmen offer trips under sail or paddle. From July to September, humpback whales come to calve in the Sainte-Marie channel: you can hear them blow from the beach, and whale-watching trips leave from the neighbouring island.

Practical tips

Bring cash: there is no ATM on the island, so withdraw in Sainte-Marie before crossing. The same goes for pharmacy and groceries. Electricity often runs on a generator or solar panels, with limited hours depending on the guesthouse — a power bank and a torch are welcome.

The pirogue crossing is arranged on the spot, at the southern tip of Sainte-Marie; in choppy seas it is better to wait for a lull and keep your belongings in a dry bag. The island is naturally visited as part of a stay on Sainte-Marie, of which it is the quietest extension.