Discover
Visiting Tamatave
Tamatave, or Toamasina, is the main port of Madagascar’s East coast, about 350 km from Antananarivo: a seven-hour drive or a fifty-minute flight. The town has flame-tree avenues, a busy Bazar-Be market and colonial buildings along Independence Avenue. Nearby, Ivoloina park shelters lemurs and chameleons, Foulpointe offers a calm lagoon and Mahambo is the gateway to Sainte-Marie. To the south, the Pangalanes canal is explored by boat between fishing villages. September to December is the driest period on this rainy coast.
At a glance
Must-sees in Tamatave
- Pangalanes canal
- Ivoloina park and its lemurs
- Foulpointe beach
Trips & stays
A tailor-made stay in Tamatave
Our local team designs your stay around Tamatave: hand-picked accommodation, French- and English-speaking guides, transfers and a driver throughout. Tell us your dates and what you love, we send a detailed itinerary within 24 hours.
Car hire with driver
Getting around Tamatave
Laterite roads, tracks and deceptive distances: a local driver means freedom without the bad surprises. All our vehicles come with a driver.
Illustrations for guidance only: within each category the vehicle you get may vary (Terracan, Prado, Pajero, Starex…). Indicative prices from Antananarivo, driver, fuel and insurance included; the final price depends on the route (Tana–Tuléar, Diego, Nosy Be…) and the type of track, and is set out in your quote.
Excursions
NewDay trips from Tamatave
Examples while Madevasion finalises its excursion list.
Keep exploring
Around Tamatave
Our services
Nearby destinations
Tours through Tamatave
More destinations
Our detailed Tamatave guide is currently available in French: read it in French.