Migratory cruise from Majunga to Morondava
Pangalanes Canal 12 days Charm & Character

Migratory cruise from Majunga to Morondava

Aboard the schooner Nofy Be, sail from the colonial port of Majunga to the kingdom of baobabs in Morondava.

From€850per person
13 years of local expertise4.93/5 (125 reviews including 72 Google)

Duration

12 days

From

€850/pers.

Ideal seasons

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Style

Navigation & Cruises

Comfort

Charm & Character

Travelers

Couple, Solo, With friends

The spirit of travel

The Nofy Be schooner hoists its sails in the turquoise waters of the port of Majunga, Madagascar's second port city with Arab and Indian influences. Twelve days of sailing in the Mozambique Channel await you, at the rhythm of the trade winds and tides, towards Morondava and its emblematic century-old baobabs.

The voyage skirts the wild coast of the Boeny region, explores the red mouth of the Manongosa river and ventures into the Baly Bay National Park, sanctuary of the Angonoka tortoise. The Barren Islands reveal their immaculate sandbars where the Vezo fishermen establish their nomadic camps according to the seasons. Between snorkeling in the coral reefs, traditional fishing and musical evenings under the stars, each anchorage offers an authentic encounter with this seafaring people.

The Vezo, "those who struggle against the sea", have perpetuated for centuries their traditions of navigation and fishing along this preserved coast. This cruise follows their ancestral routes, in the heart of a little-known maritime Madagascar where time unfolds at the rhythm of the prevailing winds.

The stages of your journey

D1
Majunga
D2
Soalala
D3
Cap St André
D4–5
Besalampy
D6
Kingalahy
D7
Nosy Vao
D8
Les îles Barren
D9
Anabohazo Androtra
D10
Mangily
D11–12
Morondava

Highlights

Nofy Be Schooner Cruise
Barren Islands Archipelago
Vezo Fishermen Encounters
Endemic Angonoka Tortoises
Snorkeling coral reefs
Canal Navigation Mozambique

Day-by-day itinerary

Majunga
D1

Boarding the Nofy Be Schooner and sailing to Nosy Makamby

Majunga - Nosy Makamby You are already in Majunga and must go to the Nofy Be office, at Orange Port at 9am. Departure for 25 nautical miles - lunch on board while sailing. Arrival at NOSY MAKAMBY between 1pm and 4pm, swimming and island discovery walk, dinner anchored offshore. 7pm departure for SOALALA (35 nautical miles) night sailing.
D2

Exploration of Baie de Baly National Park and Navigation to Soalala

Nosy Makamby - Soalala Arrival in SOALALA in the early morning - visit of the village and formalities for access to BALY BAY NATIONAL PARK. Boat crossing to visit the National Park which is the only habitat of the endemic Angonoka tortoise, a tortoise that does not leave the borders of Soalala, also called Astrochelys yniphora or Horned Tortoise, an endangered species of high protection value classified as "rare". Among other rare animals, you will also find the freshwater turtle of high protection value, classified as "endangered" (Erymnochelys madagascariensis), as well as the marine mammal Dugong. Departure in the afternoon for a long navigation to the village of VILAMATSA at CAPE ST ANDRE.
D3

Navigation to Cape St André

Soalala - Cap St André Arrival around noon at VILAMATSA and visit of the village, walk along an endless white sand beach with its wrecks of containers run ashore up to the lighthouse with its breathtaking view of the meeting of the turquoise waters of the north with the red waters of the south. Dinner at anchorage in the estuary.
D4

Navigation to Besalampy and its 25kms of river

Cap St André - Besalampy Departure around 2am (35 nautical miles 7 to 12 hours) Entering the MANONGOSA River estuary to begin, as soon as the tide permits, the 25km ascent of this stunning red river. Arrival in BESALAMPY, a small landlocked town with vibrant colors, only accessible by sea and these 25km of river during the rainy season. Dinner at the "Port" on board the boat followed by a few drinks in the lively bars of the town. Night on board or in one of the basic bungalows at the "Bellevue" hotel, the only one in town, for those who want to get back on dry land for a night.
D5

Free day on the grande terre: Besalampy

Besalampy - Besalampy Free day on land - departure in late afternoon or as soon as the tide permits.
D6

Navigation to Sarodrano or Kingalahy

Besalampy - Kingalahy There on our route we will be able to observe in more detail this part of Madagascar isolated from the world. In this river a few crocodiles, but also many fishermen, scenes of life from another era.
D7

Navigation by Kingalahy and Nosy Vao

Kingalahy - Nosy Vao Very early departure in the morning for a good navigation towards Maintirano (65 to 80 miles) before tackling the Barren Islands. There we will make a short stop in this port town which will give us the opportunity to visit and do some supplies of fruits and vegetables.
D8

Nosy Makamby and Majunga

Nosy Vao - The Barren Islands Depending on the tides departure from Maintirano towards Nosy Maroantaly the 1st of the Barren Islands. Short boat ride and snorkeling around the island. Visit of Vezo fishermen camps and anchorage for the night.
D9

Departure for Anabohazo Androtra

Barren Islands - Anabohazo Androtra Snorkelling and a stroll on this beautiful island to discover sea turtle nesting sites before sailing to NOSY DONDOSY where we will anchor for the night.
D10

Navigation from Nosy Andrano to Nosy Mangily

Anabohazo Androtra - Mangily These islands are inhabited seasonally by nomadic Vezo people who migrate there for fishing. We will remain in contact with this population for a few hours, learn how they live on these islands. The swimming is often very good and the snorkeling superb, there will be the possibility, for those interested, to practice underwater hunting. Fishing there is abundant...on the menu fish and more fish. Mangily - Cap Kimby We will then begin navigation towards SOHANY or CAP KIMBY depending on the tides.
Morondava
D11

Last navigation: from Sohany or Kimby to Morondava

Following the tides, we will leave Sohany or Cap Kimby to begin a final navigation towards Morondava, our destination, where we will arrive the next morning.
Morondava
D12

Arrival in Morondava in the morning

Arrival in Morondava, disembarkation at Jungle House and rest of the day free. From here on, activities, transport, accommodation and meals are at your expense. Misaotra (thank you) and see you soon! Olive and the entire Détours Madagascar team.

Price per person

This trip can be tailored to your preferences

This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.

Not included

  • International Flights
  • Transport to Majunga
  • The route to Orange port in Majunga
  • Transport in Morondava at the end of the stay
  • Accommodation, activities and meals in Morondava
  • Activities not mentioned in the program
  • Beverages (mineral water, soft drinks, beers...) during and outside of meals
  • Tips and Personal Expenses
  • Cancellation insurance, repatriation and emergency medical expenses
  • Visa fees

Included

  • The 12-day / 11-night cruise aboard the Nofy Be, departing from Majunga and arriving in Morondava
  • Full board on board (drinks not included), from lunch on D1 to breakfast on D12
  • Accommodation aboard the Nofy Be in bunks during the cruise
  • Activities and visits as indicated in the itinerary

Practical Information

Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.

The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.

See our specific terms of sale for full details.

In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:

  • More than 60 days before departure: 30% of the total price (deposit retained)

  • Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price

  • Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price

We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.

Your Passport:
Important: your passport must be valid. It must be mandatory and obligatorily valid for 6 months after the end of your stay in Madagascar.

Your travel documents

  • Your valid passport,

  • Your international and/or domestic flight tickets,

  • Your repatriation insurance/first aid expenses contract, -

  • Your vaccination record, not mandatory,

  • Your blood group card if possible.

Obtaining a visa to enter Malagasy territory

Upon arrival in the territory:
The visa cost is €35 for a stay of less than 30 days.
It is easily obtained upon your arrival in Malagasy territory.
This applies to all airports in Madagascar that receive international flights.
Upon arrival in the terminal, upon exiting the plane, a corridor for passengers is dedicated to issuing tourist visas.

This procedure is the simplest. We recommend it to you.

From the embassies and consulates of your countries of origin:
For information, download the document explaining the procedure and the constitution of the file for obtaining a visa from the Madagascar embassy.

To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.

Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.

CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed to enjoy your trip with peace of mind!

Choose the plan that best suits you:

  • Explorer'Multirisque

  • Explorer'Annulation

  • Explorer'Assistance

  • Explorer' Complementary Credit Card

Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and procedures for claiming any loss are available on the insurer's website.

Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for declaring any loss. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.

Chapka — Cap Explorer

Our insurance partner

Travel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.

Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insurance

Frequently asked questions

A tourist visa is required, issued upon arrival at Ivato Airport (Antananarivo) or online (e-visa). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Before booking your trip, check with Madagascar's consular authorities for the conditions applicable to your nationality, including visa fees and authorized lengths of stay.

Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.

You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.

For a tailor-made quality trip, expect between 160 and 270 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (900-1400 euros return) are additional. Long transfers and domestic flights represent a significant portion of the budget.

Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.

Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to suit your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate anecdotes.

It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.

In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.

Payment is generally made in two installments.

Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) protection, which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.

Noro, Ambassador of Malagasy fihavanana
13years of expertise

Let's talk about your adventure — Wild West

Ambassador of Malagasy fihavanana, based in Antananarivo

For me, traveling to Madagascar is stepping into the spirit of fihavanana: sharing, helping one another, meeting people, and taking time to understand what connects them to their land.

Noro

Deposit funds guarantee Secure payment 7/7 assistance4.93/5