Major city · Madagascar
Île aux NattesNosy Nanto
A half-day to one-night stop: a quiet sand island with a day spa and empty beaches, best as a side trip from Île Sainte-Marie.
Île aux Nattes is a tiny island off the south coast of Île Sainte-Marie, in Toamasina Province. With a population around 1,500, it offers little beyond a day spa, a long empty beach and a self-catering house. Most travellers visit as a half-day trip from Île Sainte-Marie or stay one night for total quiet.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MGA
- Best months
- Apr–Dec
- avoid Jan–Mar (cyclone season)
- Airport
- SMS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Madagascar ↗Check visa and e-visa rules for your passport on Madagascar's official e-visa portal before booking.
- Madagascar ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route.
- Madagascar ↗Hire a car with a driver for road trips; self-drive is rarely practical and driving after dark is unsafe.
- Madagascar ↗Do not buy or export wildlife, tortoise shell, precious stones without a certificate, or protected plants; enforcement at the airport is strict.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Île aux Nattes117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Île aux Nattes, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA).Madagascar-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelma, Orange and Airtel (Yas) sell SIMs at Ivato and in towns with passport registration; data bundles are cheap.Madagascar-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Madagascar-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10%.Madagascar-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Madagascar-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the main risk is isolation — no medical facilities, no shops.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; long-drop or squat toilets at many park gates and roadside stops.Madagascar-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 124 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops shut Sunday afternoons in towns; national parks open daily; banks close at weekends.Madagascar-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSMS Île Sainte-Marie Airport (Then a taxi-brousse or boat to Île aux Nattes; about 30–45 min total).
- Getting aroundOn foot: the island is small enough to walk across in about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at The Beach HouseMGA 5,000–8,000 (check)
- Budget bedThe Beach House (whole house), a night, per roomMGA 200,000
- Mid-range bedThe Beach House (whole house), a night, per roomMGA 350,000
- High-end bedThe Beach House (whole house), a night, per roomMGA 500,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MGA 50,000 · Mid MGA 100,000 · High MGA 200,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SMS Île Sainte-Marie Airport (Then a taxi-brousse or boat to Île aux Nattes; about 30–45 min total)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Dec. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Île aux Nattes: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot: the island is small enough to walk across in about 20 minutes. No cars, no roads.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Île Sainte-Marie
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Boat from Île aux Nattes, about 15–20 min
The main island with whale-watching (Jul–Sep), restaurants and more accommodation.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The Beach House
The only listed accommodation; self-catering house on the beach, about €180 per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MGA 50,000–80,000 (check)
- Mid
- MGA 80,000–150,000 (check)
- High
- MGA 150,000+ (check)
Trip budget
| The Beach House (whole house)1 × 1 night × MGA 350,000 | MGA 350,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MGA 100,000 | MGA 200,000 |
| Boat transfer from Île Sainte-Marie (return)2 × MGA 30,000 · check | MGA 60,000 |
| Day spa treatment (Betsie Day Spa)2 × MGA 80,000 · check | MGA 160,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MGA 115,500 |
| Trip total≈ MGA 442,800 per person per day, bed included | MGA 885,500 |
€180 per night; check current rate in MGA
2026 estimate in MGA; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat transfer from Île Sainte-Marie (one way) | MGA 15,000–20,000 (check) |
| Day spa treatment (full day with lunch) | MGA 80,000–120,000 (check) |
| Coffee at The Beach House | MGA 5,000–8,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs or shops: bring cash (ariary) and supplies from Île Sainte-Marie.
- Cyclone season January–March: check the forecast before you go.
- The Beach House is the only formal accommodation; book ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Medical
- 124
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Île aux NattesNosy Nanto
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Mankany amin'ity adiresy ity, azafadyTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Medical124
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Antananarivo; no consulate on Île aux Nattes. Check /madagascar/visa-requirements.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Île Sainte-Marie → Île aux Nattes: about MGA 15,000–20,000, 15–20 min (check)
- Taxi-brousse SMS airport → Île Sainte-Marie port: about MGA 10,000–15,000 (check)
Say or show
- Salama — Hello (sah-LAH-mah)
- Misaotra — Thank you (mee-SOW-trah)
- Ohatrinona? — How much? (oo-ah-tree-NOO-nah)
- Eny / Tsia — Yes / No (EHN-yee / TSEE-ah)
- Azafady — Please (ah-zah-FAH-dee)
- Aiza ny sambo? — Where is the boat? (EYE-zah nee SAHM-boo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Île aux Nattes. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Dec · avoid Jan–Mar (cyclone season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for The Beach House and Betsie Day Spa with verified prices and hours.
- Boat transfer schedules from Île Sainte-Marie, with taxi-brousse connections to SMS airport.
Sources
Ask about Île aux Nattes
Loading…
Was this useful?