Situated:Île aux Nattes, South of Île St Marie, East Coast Madagascar
Owner managed: Ockie Snyman, South African
Languages: English, Malagasy, Afrikaans
No of Bungalows: 7
Capacity: 18 people
Year Opened: 2006
No of Staff: 16
Food: Malagasy/South African
Restaurant: Seating for 20. One table dining with simple choice of set menu. All food excellent and the breakfasts are famous. Outdoor dining for lunch and day visitors.
Kids: Definitely a big yes! They are safe, easily occupied and appreciated by the staff. Family Bungalow. A word of advice - let them practice Uno! Ockie will take them on in the renowned "La Petite Uno Challenge".
Bonus: On the water. Large, open outdoor fire in the evenings. Great background music and home from home hospitality. Extras available at La Petite Traversée: see list under the gallery, and note below.
Activities: Snorkelling, beaches, fishing, scuba, massage, Pirate Cemetery and a visit to St Marie Botanical Park, pirogue trip around island, walking. New addition is the Lucky Dube II cocktail bar on the beach next to the hotel. Pizza's, great music and snacks are available - GREAT atmosphere and a wonderful asset to the hotel.

Our Opinion:This is one of our all time favourites for good value, great food, good position and family holidays. We have visited three times and will continue to return for our own holidays. At the time of writing one can do a 6 night holiday here, ex Johannesburg, for less than R10 000 per person. Take your own wine and spirits - no corkage.

Could incorporate with:Palmarium. Vakona Forest Lodge - tour of east.
Last visited by MadagasCaT:July 2010.

Special Extra: Beach Picnics by Pirogue or Kayak - Ille aux Nattes

MadagasCaT has arranged a very special excursion – available only to guests of La Petite Traversèe.  You can either go with a luxury pirogue or by kayak from La Petite, up the eastern coast of Île St Marie.  Only about an hour’s easy paddle brings you to a deserted beach where you stop and swim.  Your guide will take you for a 20 minute walk, through some rainforest to a cave.  Afterwards he will prepare your lunch on a small fire – whole fresh fish served on banana leaves.  Have a snooze under a coconut palm or explore some more before returning to La Petite. Reservations are essential and can be made directly with MadagasCaT or through La Petite.