If one takes a closer look at the gorgeous islands of the Indian ocean then it seems strange that most of the tropical island enthusiasts head to far east instead of these beautiful pieces of land sprinkled in the vast ocean along the Africa’s south eastern shore line. Madagascar may not be your perfect tropical paradise but its tiny island Saint Marie surely is with bone white and soft sandy beaches, turquoise water, lush green palm forest surroundings and a friendly populace this small island is an absolute gem of a destination for any tourist that is looking for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation spot.
Saint Marie is located in the north of the mainland Madagascar and has the best climate in the whole of the region. The temperature here stays the same for the most part of the year, water is always warm and calm and the white beaches stretch for miles, an excellent place to spend a vacation isn’t. The island has its own small airport and if you have taken a flight to Madagascar then you can easily find a connecting flight to Saint Marie Island. The tourism infrastructure of the city has seen a lot improvement in the last few years because of the increase in the tourist traffic to the island.
There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Saint Marie ranging from the luxurious eco resorts to the budget accommodation in the baboo village. For most tourist a vacation in Saint Marie means having an ultimate relaxing experience along its sandy beach that stretch for miles and provide enough deserted places to take a full body tan. For others it’s the amount of activities that one can indulge in that makes it such a special vacation spot.
The island was a pirate haven in the 17th century and if you are scuba diver then you can still watch quite a few ship wrecks close its shores. The best place to observe this part of the island’s history is the cemetery of Ile au Madame, where most the tombs carry the symbol of the pirates, two bones with a skull in the middle. The waters along the island stays warm for the most part of the year so they are perfect for a shallow water swim or snorkeling for which you can hire the equipment from your resort.
If you are interested in some serious whale watching then the good news is that Saint Marie is located on the route that the large humpback whales take for migration so there is a fair bit of chance that you can watch these marvelous sea creatures. The waters of Saint Marie are rich in corals and marine life and its coral gardens are well out of the reach of the sharks so you can explore them without any fear. Most of the resorts of the island offers a yacht on hire which can take you the deep sea providing an excellent place for scuba diving and whale watching or even some sport fishing.
