Best hotels in Nosy Boraha

A glamorous yet homely boutique lodge, Sainte Marie Lodge is operated by its charming owners Bertrand and Catherine Dunod, in whose competent care you're ensured a holiday extraordinaire. The lodge reflects its owners' welcome, with its wide frontage and veranda opening to a tropical garden (admire the blood-red blooms and heady frangipani), a pool and the deepest blue ocean imaginable. Whales arrive to breed between July and September, bringing with them tourists keen to witness the spectacle. But the lodge is a special place to visit all year – a balm for your soul.

Surrounded by luxuriant tropical forest on the north-west coast of Nosy Boraha (previously Île Sainte-Marie), Masoandro Lodge is a pretty and private retreat about 25 minutes by tuk-tuk from the nearest village. The sense of peace is palpable here, far off the beaten track, and the hillside wooden bungalows with great long-range views offer all the comforts you need. Snorkel the coral reefs, get as close to the whales as you're allowed, loll in the pool and enjoy well-prepared dishes and courteous service.

Trekking for lemurs through Madagascar's rainforests is not for the faint of heart, so a short break to recover your breath on a tropical island before heading home is an excellent idea. And four-star Princesse Bora Lodge on the Island of Nosy Boraha is the perfect place to unwind. Previously called Île Sainte-Marie, the island's tourism development is low-key, so it's retained a wonderfully unspoilt atmosphere. The lodge is tranquil and within striking distance of Sainte-Marie beach, the accommodation is stylish and comfortable (down to the hammock on your veranda), and the food is simple and delicious.

The stuff of holiday dreams, Hotel Soanambo lies on the southern end of Nosy Boraha (previously called Île Sainte-Marie), an island off the east coast of Madagascar. The hotel faces the Indian Ocean and the Madagascar landmass, and is both secluded and sumptuous. Watch humpback whales (mid-June to September) and chill on the undisturbed beaches. The accommodation is modern and plush (despite its rather severe exterior), the pool is splendid, the food is very good, the service is warm and obliging, and the vistas encompasses all shades of blue, from turquoise to ultramarine. One smitten, you'll be back!

This family-friendly, pet-friendly - actually just friendly-full-stop - establishment has been the dream-project of owner and manager, Maurizio, since 2005. After overcoming more than a few tricky logistics, it eventually opened in 2011. You'll find it on the little island of Sainte-Marie, or Nosy Boraha, as the locals call it - just off the north-east coast of Madagascar. The resort has 18 kilometers of white sand beach on its doorstep for you to wander, as well as access to pristine reefs. Inland, there are forests and waterfalls and rivers, offering some great hikes and even the chance to see a lemur. The on-site restaurant serves up some tasty dishes too, but truthfully, it’s the authentic hospitality of the staff that will make your time here so extremely cool. If you're flying in, you'll need to organize a pick-up from the hotel, since it's a considerable drive on a bad dirt road.

The island of Madagascar is one of Africa's best-loved biodiversity and adventure hotspots. And scattered around it are a number of smaller, astonishingly beautiful islets. Here we're visiting Nosy Boraha, or Île Sainte Marie, a sliver of land eight kilometres off Madagascar's east coast. With its lush tropical vegetation, palm-lined beaches and front-row views of humpback whales migrating (June–Sept), Nosy Boraha is not just a quirky terminus for travel mavericks, it's a legitimate destination. At the tail end of the island's west coast is the ocean-front Ecolodge Ravoraha, surrounded by a fishing village with whom the lodge is closely aligned.

Hotel Libertalia is situated on a small island off the east coast of Madagascar that was once known as the 'Island of Pirates'. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel and brings you as close to the beach as possible. Each bungalow offers panoramic views of the ocean and in season you may wake up to the sight of a breaching whale. Known for offering excellent service, Hotel Libertalia is the perfect base from which to go shopping at the nearby town, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, trekking and whale-watching. End your day with a massage offered at the hotel.