About Île aux Nattes
Île aux Nattes (Nosy Nato) is a small island immediately south of Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha) off Madagascar’s east coast, noted for sandy beaches and nearshore coral reef. The island is low-lying and compact, with most facilities concentrated near the narrow channel that separates it from Sainte-Marie.
Visitors come for sheltered swimming, snorkeling on the fringing reef and a quiet island atmosphere with a small number of guesthouses and beachside services. Local boats provide frequent short transfers to and from Île Sainte-Marie and the islands are commonly visited together.
Geographically the island sits off Madagascar’s eastern seaboard within Analanjirofo administrative area, at the southern tip of the larger Île Sainte-Marie.
- Access and snorkeling: Short pirogue or boat crossings link the island to Île Sainte-Marie and the narrow channel between them is popular for short snorkel trips to nearby fringing reef areas.
Best Time to Visit Île aux Nattes
The dry season (roughly April-November) is the preferred time for visits.
Weather & Climate near Île aux Nattes
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (3233 mm/year), wettest in March.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 329 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.7 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.9h |
| February | Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 429 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.6 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.6h |
| March | Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 469 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 404 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| May | Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 316 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.2h |
| June | Good | 20° - 27° | 23° | 261 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.0h |
| July | Good | 20° - 25° | 23° | 270 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.1h |
| August | Good | 20° - 26° | 23° | 191 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.4h |
| September | Very Good | 20° - 26° | 23° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Very Good | 21° - 28° | 24° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Very Good | 22° - 29° | 26° | 110 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.3 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| December | Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 274 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.0h |
How to Get to Île aux Nattes
Access via small boat from Île Sainte‑Marie (Nosy Boraha); boats and pirogues make regular crossings depending on tides and schedules.
Tips for Visiting Île aux Nattes
- Consult local guides for the best anchorages and small-scale accommodation information.
- Use mooring buoys where provided-reef damage is a real risk around small Malagasy islets.
