MadagasCaT now offers Guided Kayaking Holidays in the most stunning areas that Madagascar has to offer. Using PaddleYak Tango Touring Doubles built by Johan Loots, the man who built Riaan Manser's kayak in his world-first circumnavigation of Madagascar, these various tours offer you the chance to explore remote areas.

We also have a new website dedicated to Kayaking in Madagascar, which we invite you to visit, for more information and detailed itineraries.

The waters are generally calm, the beaches empty, islands uninhabited, the mangroves filled with birdlife and there is something new to explore every day.

We have various itineraries available, according to your level of experience, and we can tailor-make your holiday according to your expectations.

There is, however, a vast difference between the east coast trips (based around Ille St Marie) and the Nosy Be ones that are based on a luxury catamaran and take you where few kayaks have ever been before!

You do not have to be a pro to do these tours - the kayaks are double Tangos and designed for exactly these purposes. They are used by most kayak operations in Mozambique, Namibia, Mauritius and Kenya and are tried and tested ocean craft.

Mostly waist deep water within the reef. The warm water is calm and gentle, the paddling easy going. Ideally suited for families and the less experienced paddlers.

Île St Marie lies off the east coast of Madagascar. Home of whale watching and the ancient safe haven for pirates this island still has hidden coves, caves and forests rarely explored by tourists.

Just south of Île St Marie lies the tiny island of Île aux Nattes and it is here that your kayak adventures begin.

South African, Gareth Walters, is the manager of this operation and has spent many hours both on foot and by kayak planning routes and possible overnight spots. He has lived in the area for three years and has a good knowledge of both kayaking and the things that interest kayakers.

The guides are handpicked and trained to recognise the mood of the weather, and the client! They remain as unobtrusive as you would like them but will always be keeping a watch on both you and the sea. The very nature of this trip is to enjoy the tropical, island paradise; feel the peace and silence that kayaks offer, listen to the sound of the waves pounding safely beyond the reef, watch the fish scatter beneath you through crystal clear water and witness the local fisherman, either waist deep in the water with nets and baskets, or from their pirogues - often as a man and wife team.

There are various options to be considered depending on your capabilities and wishes. One can remain based at The Beach House and venture out on day trips either circumnavigating Île aux Nattes, exploring both coasts of St Marie and even doing a two day/one night trip. Or for the hardy and adventurous there is another option - after a day of orientation you can set off for a five or eight day expedition. You will paddle during the day and spend the nights at various, previously approved, places of rest - they may be bungalows, local homes or hotels - and the choice of eateries are yours. This allows you to interact with the local people and experience their daily lives. There is more time to explore, both on foot and with your kayak, the mangroves, rainforests, caves and village life. It is possible - with the exception of the northern point - to circumnavigate Île St Marie.

Download our Kayaking Sainte Marie Pdf document for more detailed information
- click on image below..

"Had a fantastic trip yesterday to caves. The beach / picnic spot is totally wild and unspoilt and absolutely beautiful. Excellent swimming and snorkelling. Adventure walk ( +- 20 minutes) to cave is wild and almost rain forest." Gareth Walters on reccie.

Map East

Mostly tranquil water - backed up by the catamaran. There are some areas that may require a little more than novice level but this is not just kayaking but fishing, snorkelling and sailing too!

Nosy Be itself holds little for the kayaker and seeker of remote solitude. Therefore in order to reach the more distant islands and bays one needs transport and therefore you are based on a luxury catamaran (see The Boats) for the duration. Your boat and her experienced crew will ferry you and the kayaks to islands and estuaries not usually visited by the average tourist. You will overnight on the catamaran in a different spot each night and the boat will drop you at your "launch" site in the morning. You can paddle around islands and up estuaries exploring at your leisure the mangroves, villages and beaches that the Mitsios or the Radamas (see Itineraries) have to offer. Discover the Organ Pipes (up close and personal), the Four Brothers (circumnavigate each), Tsarabanjina, Nosy Iranja (turtles & dolphins), Barahamamay (the mangroves) and Nosy Fanihy (flying foxes). Return to your boat in the evenings for icy drinks and sumptuous meals prepared by your chef before collapsing into bed, nodding off to the gentle lapping of the waters around you.

Each trip will also include a visit to Tanikely Marine Reserve and Nosy Komba Lemur Park.

The boats can accommodate up to 10 people and offer kayaking adventures complimented with comfortable accommodation at night, fresh water showers and freshly prepared meals.

Your time is your own to decide when you wish to paddle - avoid the midday heat by paddling early in the morning or in the peace of the evenings and leave the rest of the day to snorkel, fish or simply relax!

"The perception of a holy grail for sea kayakers may differ from paddler to paddler, but Île St Marie Island, Madagascar, may nestle very close to the notion of paddling perfection for many. Once you are set free from land by your kayak the monsoon lifts your stern for a graceful reach up the leeward west coast from Ile Aux Nattes, a small islet lingering on the southern tip of St Marie. Paddling is hardly necessary as you skim past the south-western shore of the island, settling in to the views of verdant green ahead of you. A relaxed morning's paddle brings you to Ilot Madame, erstwhile haunt of William Kidd and his ilk. Caribbean Islands come to mind, but they should ever have been so lush as what surrounds you now! From this infamous haunt of swashbucklers you paddle a short stint to arrive at Ambodifotatra, as Jamaica-ish as you can get, but even more authentic. A stroll through the village convinces you to return to it again as its visual delights get hold of your senses. Departing from there you head out to a distant headland. The water is azure blue and fish can be seen darting beneath your craft. Then a monster tail rises from the ocean ahead. The distinct white tail betrays the behemoth as a humpback whale. It lingers in the area and you have a good opportunity to drift past it in awe of the giant of the ocean.

A rocky reef separates you from lagoons adjoining bay upon bay, each with a traditional village concealed in the green behind. You pick your way through a passage and relax on an isolated beach with not a soul in sight. You don your face mask and flippers and immerse yourself in the dainty world of coral and tropical fish. As you soak up the sun later a dugout arrives. It's a trader delivering goods to families living behind the palms. There is a synergy between you because of your craft and the trader offers you a fresh coconut, slicing it through with his machete, allowing you to drink the refreshing juice and eat the delicious white flesh. He wants nothing in return but your pleasure. You continue your journey and head for an overnight stop; a traditional palm-fronded bungalow on the beach. You find a nearby village and enjoy local cuisine of rice and seafood before retiring to a star-filled night. Over the next few days you discover a microcosm of Madagascar in your kayak, all on an island complete with tropical rain forests, unspoilt mangroves and traditional fisherfolk and the many friendly faces of the Malagasy people. By the time you return to Île Aux Nattes paddling due south on the windward side of the island, marvellously protected by an outer reef, you know you have discovered a shining jewel, perhaps your own holy grail. Less than seven hours' flight from Johannesburg, you may be excused for believing you arrived in some paradise when you disembarked at the little St Marie aerodrome and a dugout collected you to commence your kayak journey. Departing, you know you did."
- Johan Loots. Inwater Magazine. Summer 2009.

Map Nosy Be