Nature and ecology..   History, culture and traditions..

Nature and ecology

Forests

The island has many nicknames of which the one of" The garden island ". Thanks to a constant microclimate all along the year, Sainte Marie owns a remarkable plant luxuriance. If the various cultures of spices (clove, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, pepper) proliferate there, Sainte Marie had also knew how to keep a large range of the different tropical “sylves” existing in Madagascar of which a real primary forest.

Fauna and flora

The insular character of the place and the particularities of the coralline soil encouraged various adaptations, so much on the animal that on plant plan, leading to unique interrelations. Thus, Sainte Marie is endowed with a very rich fauna and flora, you can meet here among other species several types of lemurs as well as a multitude of orchids of which the magnificent Queen of Madagascar.

Seafloors

Safe from sharks, the lagoon of Sainte Marie island is endowed with important coralline constructions. Its under water fauna and flora constitute a preserved natural heritage and a first-class diving site in the Indian ocean.

Whales

The island welcomes every year during the southern winter a spectacular ballet. Important groups of humpback whales (Megaptera) migrate from the Antarctic to this idyllic breeding place. These quiet giants find here conditions favourable to the growth of the young and to their love and acrobatic games before the big return toward the cold seas.

Surrounding islands and other spots

Covered by a lush vegetation in its coralline setting, Nosy Boraha also possesses geological appeals that its four stars nature delivers us as many objects of curiosity. Sainte Marie is a fine granite strip, that the sea or wind, by dint of caresses or strokes, had hollowed or lifted in sculpted landscapes. 

History, culture et traditions

Histories and legends

The name of Sainte Marie comes from different legendary and historic sources. The island is at once called Nosy Boraha, Nosy Ibrahim and Santa Maria. 

Pirates

Sainte Marie became a popular basis for pirates all along the 17 th and the 18 th century because of many reasons: it was not far from the maritime ways where passed in transit the ships coming back from the Indies the holds overflow of wealths, it was provided of bays and creeks protected from storms and finally, it was abundant in fruits and in soft water. 

Customs

At Sainte Marie, the inhabitants are attached to traditions. The social or family events are faithfully linked to practices invoking the ancestors' spirits. The wealth and the variety of these rituals underline the authenticity and the depth of the "Saint-marien" cultural identity. 

Cultural sites

Fragile, Sainte Marie unveils her appeals with modesty and discretion. Nevertheless, numerous places remain as evidences of a time or a belief. The visitor will discover many places that testify of an exceptional past and that will move him.