Attractions in East Coast (rainforest, Andasibe)
Rainforests, lemurs, and pirates 🏴☠️
Showing 28 attractions · Sorted by importance
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
📍 Andasibe
🌲 NatureA world-renowned rainforest reserve famous for the Indri lemur and exceptional biodiversity, offering easy-to-walk trails through primary growth forests.
Île aux Nattes
📍 Île Sainte-Marie
⛱ BeachA small, car-free paradise island at the southern tip of Sainte-Marie featuring crystal-clear turquoise lagoons and white sand beaches.
Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha)
📍 Ambodifotatra
🏔 Scenic ViewA lush tropical island retreat famous for its authentic atmosphere, pristine coral reefs, and seasonal humpback whale migration sightings.
Pangalanes Canal
📍 Toamasina
🏔 Scenic ViewA 600-kilometer chain of natural rivers and man-made lakes offering scenic boat tours through lush vegetation and coastal villages.
RN2: The Route to the East
📍 Antananarivo
🚗 Road TripApproximately 370km paved highway (typically 2-4 days touring). This primary artery connects the highlands to the coast, featuring the dramatic Mandraka Escarpment descent, the rainforests of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, and the lush tropical landscapes near Brickaville before reaching the port city of Toamasina.
Analamazaotra Special Reserve
📍 Andasibe
🌲 NatureFamous as the best place to see and hear the large Indri indri lemur in its natural habitat.
Fort Manda
📍 Foulpointe
🏰 CastleA massive 19th-century circular fortress built from crushed coral powder and egg white mortar by King Radama I to defend the east coast against invasion.
Indri II Trail
📍 Andasibe
🥾 Hiking & Cycling3km easy day hike, typically taking 2-3 hours with an elevation gain of approximately 100m. This is the most famous route in the Analamazaotra Special Reserve, specifically designed for viewing the Indri lemur. A local guide is required for all visitors. The path is well-maintained and weaves through secondary rainforest.
Lemur Island at Vakona Private Reserve
📍 Andasibe
🐄 FarmA famous wildlife sanctuary where families can take a short canoe ride to interact closely with habituated lemurs that often jump onto visitors' shoulders.
Parc Zoologique d'Ivoloina
📍 Toamasina
🐄 FarmAn educational conservation center featuring lemurs, tortoises, and a model agricultural station demonstrating sustainable Malagasy farming techniques.
Pirate Cemetery (Cimetière des Pirates)
📍 Ambodifotatra
🏛 LandmarkThe world's only legitimate pirate cemetery, featuring 18th-century headstones with skull-and-crossbones motifs overlooking the bay.
RN5: The Vanilla Coast Road (Toamasina to Soanierana Ivongo)
📍 Toamasina
🚗 Road TripApproximately 165km paved coastal road (3-5 hours). This scenic stretch follows the Indian Ocean shoreline north from Toamasina. Highlights include endless coconut palm groves, traditional Betsimisaraka villages, and views of the sea, ending at the ferry port for Île Sainte-Marie. (Note: Road becomes extreme 4WD-only north of Soanierana Ivongo).
Akanin'ny Nofy (Lake Ampitabe)
📍 Ankanin'ny Nofy
⛱ BeachA tranquil freshwater coastal lake known as the 'Nest of Dreams,' featuring white sandy shores and calm waters ideal for swimming.
Circuit Tsakoka
📍 Andasibe
🥾 Hiking & CyclingApproximately 2.8km challenging trek in the Mantadia section of the park, taking around 4 hours through dense old-growth primary rainforest. This route is the park's premier birding circuit, with the best chances of encountering ground-rollers (scaly, pitta-like, rufous-headed, and short-legged) as well as endemic frogs and plants. It offers a more rugged experience than the trails in Andasibe, with steep sections and stream crossings.
Mitsinjo Reserve
📍 Andasibe
🧗 AdventureThis community-managed reserve offers adventurous tree-climbing experiences and canopy tours alongside guided lemur-spotting treks in the rainforest.
Notre-Dame de l'Assomption
📍 Ambodifotatra
🏰 CastleCompleted c. 1857–1859 by French missionaries, Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is the oldest Catholic stone church in Madagascar and stands on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List. Its interior houses a cast-iron altar gifted by Empress Eugenie, a remarkable testament to the island's colonial-era missionary history.
Palmarium Reserve
📍 Ankanin'ny Nofy
🐄 FarmA remote lakeside sanctuary on the Pangalanes Canal offering immersive rural wildlife experiences, including the rare opportunity to see habituated Aye-aye lemurs.
Sainte-Marie Coastal Cycling Route
📍 Ambodifotatra
🥾 Hiking & Cycling30km moderate cycling route (one way) from Ambodifotatra to the northern tip of the island. The journey follows the main coastal road, which alternates between tarmac and rough dirt tracks, with about 200m of cumulative elevation gain. Typical duration is 4-5 hours. Bike rentals: Vivy Travel (vivytravel.com) or various hotels in Ambodifotatra.
Whale Festival (Festival des Baleines)
📍 Ambodifotatra
🎭 EventJuly, 4 to 9 days, annual celebration of the humpback whale migration attracting thousands of international eco-tourists. Features boat-based whale watching, a festive street parade with local neighborhood themes, concerts by national stars, and environmental exhibitions. Highly suitable for families with educational workshops and traditional pirogue races.
Avenue de l'Indépendance
📍 Toamasina
🏘 Town / VillageA grand, palm-lined boulevard that serves as the historic heart of Toamasina, showcasing colonial architecture and urban culture.
Gare d'Andasibe (Andasibe Railway Station)
📍 Andasibe
🏛 LandmarkA charming, historic railway station that serves as a landmark for tourists visiting the nearby world-famous rainforest reserves.
Île Madame Museum
📍 Ambodifotatra
🏰 CastleHoused in a former colonial residence, this museum exhibits local maritime history and artifacts from the island's pirate era.
Andasibe Orchid Garden
📍 Andasibe
🌿 GardenA specialized botanical collection located near the national park entrance, showcasing rare and beautiful endemic orchids within their natural rainforest habitat.
Bazar Be
📍 Toamasina
🏘 Town / VillageA vibrant cultural and commercial hub where visitors can explore traditional Malagasy spices, textiles, and local handicrafts.
Gare de Toamasina (Tamatave Railway Station)
📍 Toamasina
🏛 LandmarkAn iconic example of French colonial architecture, this central station serves as a gateway for travelers and a monument to the city's port history.
Parc Endemika
📍 Ambodifotatra
🌿 GardenA dedicated nature park on Sainte-Marie island that provides an accessible look at the region's unique flora, including orchids and medicinal plants.