Madagascar - The World's Fourth Biggest Island
Although positioned near the African continent, there's nothing African about Madagascar. With its own plant and animal species, its colonial culture and tropical landscapes, Madagascar draws in numerous tourists looking for more than just a holiday by the beach, but an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
General Info
Just off the African southeastern coast, in the mysterious blue waters of the Indian ocean lies an island that offers unforgettable times for those Yacht Charter explorers brave enough to venture this far. Apart from being the world’s fourth largest island, Madagascar is also home to a lot of endemic animal and plant species, like the ringtail lemur which can’t be found anywhere in the world.
Even if European colonists didn’t come to the island until the 16th century, Madagascar’s history extends back to the 7th century when the Muslims set up trading ports here. The island’s numerous natural resources didn’t go unnoticed and up to this day Madagascar is an important transoceanic trading port while giving Africa access to the famous Silk Road. After the Portuguese and Americans passed by here, the island came under the control of the French but since 1960 they have been an independent republic.
So why is Madagascar considered one of the top Yacht Charter destinations of the Indian Ocean? With 5000 km of shoreline and that “lost world” feel thanks to its stunning landscape that seems untouched by modern man, Madagascar is the very definition of tropical getaway.
The Madagascar island is a Yacht Charter tourist heaven in itself but as many of those skippers who’ve been there already might tell you, there is a place of untold beauty called the Nosy Be, off the main island’s northwest coast. The name literally means “Big Island” since this is the biggest one outside the mainland. Apart from the flora and fauna oddities (like the world’s smallest frog and the chameleon), the island also earned the nickname “the scented island” due to the ylang-ylang, cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla and sugar cane plantations that are part of the local industry.
The beaches and ocean floor here present a lot of interest for Yacht Charter visitors who come here for the sailing, sunbathing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Inland, you’ll find the Mount Passot which dominates the island and also hold a few very picturesque crater lakes.
Law & Order
Since Madagascar can be considered to have a position off the beaten track, extra care should be taken to have all the proper documentation upon arrival. When it comes to Yacht Charter, there are a lot of providers all along the island, but especially in Nosy Be which ranks number one in the tourist’s preferences.
A foreign-emitted skipper license will be recognized by local authorities if it corresponds to the type of boat you want to charter. The fact that only one person in your Yacht Charter group needs to be qualified to skipper a boat, makes it a lot more easier to go sailing in Madagascar.
On the other side, all visitors require visas when visiting Madagascar, regardless of their nationality. There are several types of visa, ranging from tourism, business to scientific research. There is a special category for people sailing in called private boats visa. This doesn’t apply to Yacht Charter sailors but for those who come here in their own boat (in which case you’ll need to provide information about the vessel , itinerary, crew, date of entry and exit).
The visa is valid for up to 3 months and requires a valid passport, a copy of the round trip ticket and a completed application form. This only applies for tourist visas. For stays longer than 3 months, in case your Yacht Charter holiday runs unexpectedly long, you need to get a visa from the Ministry of the Interior in Antananarivo.