More Than Just a Destination
Relax, wander, get into the water. Repeat as needed.
Most days at Sambatra start slowly — coffee on the sun deck, a swim before the sun gets serious. The time is yours and it all depends on you.
Adventure Beyond the Shore
Ways to spend an afternoon or a whole day, if you want.
Some of these you can do straight from the lodge. Others involve a boat, a dive partner or the tide. None of them need to be booked weeks in advance — just tell reception the night before.
Bicycle Hire
Cycle the island.
There are no cars here.
A bicycle is the right speed for Île aux Nattes. White sand & red dirt paths thread between the palms, past the lazy zebu. Lets us arrange a hire to get you exploring.
Fishing
Who knows what you'll catch.
Into the Indian Ocean.
Giant trevally, barracuda, prodigal son and maybe a lucky sailfish run in the deep water off the reef of Île aux Nattes. The charter leaves at first light with the local skipper. Choose half day or full day — bring sunscreen and a hat.
Diving
The reef, minus the crowds.
Reefs that most divers haven't heard of.
The dive sites around Sainte-Marie are quiet, healthy and a short boat ride from the lodge. Groupers, turtles, the occasional reef shark, and healthy coral reefs. Our partner dive centre handles guides, gear and PADI courses.
Motorized Bike Hire
For the distant corners.
Explore our neighboring island Sainte Marie
Saine Marie is 55km long with great roads and not so great roads! A full days ride will take you all the way to the north and back before sunset. Visit local Villages by roadside or offroad to see what you can find all is beautiful.
Explore the Island
Wander on foot.
With no agenda.
Île aux Nattes has no cars and no rush. Walk the coastal paths north or south to visit the fishing villages, local churches, and a fair number of wandering chickens. Stop for an Eau Vive, a cold beer, maybe a coconut along the way — every kiosk knows the lodge.
Pirogue Trips
Traditional Boats.
The same boat the village has used for centuries.
A pirogue is a hand-carved outrigger canoe — narrow, silent, surprisingly fast under sail. Our boatmen know the channels and the tides; they'll take you out at sunset, or across to Sainte-Marie for whatever you may need in town.
Snorkeling
The reef begins.
Just meters from your door.
Walk straight out from the lodge beach to swim and snorkel the lagoon. Off the reef wall, Parrotfish, sea sponges, coral formations and on calm days hopefully a turtle or two.
Whale Watching
Humpbacks whales.
July through September.
Each year humpback whales travel from Antarctica to the warm channel between Sainte-Marie and mainland Madagascar. From your bungalow you can view the male bulls breaching. Welcome to their mating grounds where the females are birthing. For a closer look, direct from the lodge, excursions are run for up to 3 hours on the water. An experience never to be forgotten.
Hidden Waterways
Slip into the mangroves.
Adventure awaits.
Nestled on Sainte Marie's north-eastern coast, Ampany Bay is a peaceful network of mangrove channels rich in birdlife and marine species. Best explored by traditional pirogue at high tide, accompanied by a local guide who can reveal the secrets of this remarkable ecosystem.