Ile
aux Nattes
Ile aux Nattes
(pronounced "eal oh
nut"),
also known as Nosy
Nato, is a small but
extremely beautiful
tropical island
(only 2 km in
diameter) just off
the southern tip of
Ile
Sainte Marie.
The only way to
reach the island is
by lakana
(traditional wooden
canoes also known as
a piroque) from
Sainte Marie. A
number of lakanas
are always on
standby on the beach
just south-west of
the airport runway
and the trip across
only takes about
four minutes. During
low tide a
reasonable good
swimmer can swim
across the narrow
channel (about 300
meters) separating
the two islands.
Although very small
- it can be explored
on foot in less than
3 hours -
Ile aux Nattes has
everything travel
brochures are made
of. Unspoiled
tropical beaches
with fine white
sand,
coconut and
other palm trees
scattered along the
shore, and a
turquoise lagoon
protected by coral
reefs inhabited by a
variety of exotic
marine life. A
well-known landmark
is the Fanilo
Blevec lighthouse
(picured at bottom
of page),
which, although not
in use anymore, is
closed to the
public.
The island has a
fascinating
biodiversity
which includes trees
such as breadfruit,
the hard-wooded
Nanto (for which the
island is named,
according to one
legend), rare
orchids and spice
such as
vanilla, cinnamon,
clove and lemon.
A small community of
ruffed lemurs (sifaka)
had recently been
re-introduced to the
island and seems to
be thriving.
One of the great
things about Ile aux
Nattes is that there
are absolutely no
motor cars or any
other forms of
modern transport to
invade your sense of
tranquility and
peace. There are
only about 1 500
people who live on
the island, most of
which are fishermen.
In spite of their
small population,
they take pride in
the fact that they
have a
democratically
elected president!
%20b.jpg) However,
the VERY best thing
about Ile Aux Nattes,
is the fact that the
Hotel La Petite
Traversee
(pictured on the
right) is situated
on its northern tip.
This proud
establishment offers
you the best in
luxury island
accommodation,
excellent food,
great service and
the best value for
money.
THINGS
TO DO & SEE:
-
Go snorkeling
in the lagoon or
among the coral
reefs (equipment
available from
La Petite
Traversee).
-
Chill out on the
beach (La
Petite Traversee
has one of the
most beautiful
beaches
imaginable
literally on our
doorstep).
-
Try to spot some
of the famous
humpback-whales
which come
to breed in the
area during July
to September
(pictured
below-right).
-
Explore
the island by
foot and
discover its
rich
biodiversity.
Make sure to
visit the
lighthouse and
the local
cemetary.
-
Just take it
easy and enjoy
the peace and
tranquility
under the palm
trees in front
of your chalet
at La Petite
Traversee.
-
Go scuba-diving and
explore the
incredible
marine life at
leisure (ask our
staff at
La Petite
Traversee
for information
on this).
-
Go fly-fishing
in the canal or
on the reefs or
go fishing
from a
traditional
lakana
(tree-trunk
canoe) with a
local fisherman.
If you're
serious about
fishing or
always dreamt of
hooking that big
one, do it
properly and
join
MadXperience
for an
adventurous deep
sea
fishing safari.
-
Jump on a
lakana for a
visit to
nearby
Sainte Marie
where you can
see historical
sites such as
the pirate
cemetery, more
beautiful
beaches, the
famous grottos
and a local
market, among
many other
things.
-
Allow us to
treat you to
some of the best
seafood cuisine
imaginable. Tear
away at fresh
lobster (in
season),
calamari,
various species
of fish or even
imported beef
while you enjoy
the idyllic
ambience of our
restaurant on
the beach.
-
Enjoy a
sundowner while
you watch
paradise go to
sleep from out
on the deck at La
Petite Traversee.
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