Phare de l'Île aux Prunes, Toamasina Province, Madagascar
4.5 (5 reviews) Spent Ranking #7 in Toamasina (Tamatave) Lighthouses
Adventure!
This island has one inhabitant who maintains the lighthouse. The day we visited there were 2 fishermen and our small tour group. The short trek through the forest was delightful and the bats were amazing. Our guide was very knowledgeable and spoke English fairly well. You will never have an opportunity to see the inner workings of a lighthouse as well as this and the view is spectacular. The snorkeling was marvelous and the beach is loaded with beautiful shells. Be prepared for primitive conditions on the boat. Don't forget a hat and sunscreen. We were treated to fresh caught poached fish, rice, and fresh coconuts from the island trees but this may not suit every palate so bring your own snacks and water. Bring waterproof bag for cameras and phones.
Address
, Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar.
Current local date and time now
Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 9:33
User Ratings
4.5 based on (5 reviews)
Reviews
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5Dakota W 5:00 PM Apr 15, 2016
Lighthouse is cool, island is awesome
If you ever wanted to tour a deserted island, this is almost it. There are VERY few actual residents, living in VERY basic accommodations (no electricity, for example). The lighthouse is only 197 feet tall. Built in 1932, it is the tallest lighthouse in Africa. It is no longer in use, but shows signs of recent functionality (a bank of car batteries), and is fairly well maintained. When you arrange a trip to the island out of Toamasina, the local guide will take you on a tour. I'm not exactly sure how you would get there without the local guide, but it's very easy to locate the lighthouse and climb the stairs. At the top, you'll enjoy a panoramic view and cool breezes, even on a brutally hot day. There are NO concessionaires or rentals of any kind. Bring your own food and drink, along with snorkel gear to float in the welcoming Indian Ocean.
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4Soul M 5:00 PM Oct 14, 2017
Beach at no man's land
The light house is a very old one built on island. You need a boat transfer to visit it. Beware, you are on the eastern part of Madagascar and the indian ocean is often very rough. The sea is deep as it is at the entrance to the port of Tamatave. Do not swim too far as there is a shark. My visit was arranged with the regional tourism office of Tamatave. I appreciated the view from the lighthouse.
