Madagascar’s Hidden Gem Resort!? Foulpointe

As an island nation surrounded by the sea, Madagascar naturally has some beautiful seaside spots.
That place is Foulpointe!

The ocean where humpback whales live

Foulpointe is a town located on the northern part of Madagascar’s east coast.
Further north is Maroantsetra, and to the east lies Île Sainte-Marie.（Sainte-Marie）It is often used as a port for boats heading to these destinations.
Road conditions in Madagascar are generally poor, so boats are an important means of transportation. I also stayed in this town to transfer between boats.
From July to September, humpback whales inhabit these waters, and if you’re lucky, you can spot them from a boat.

There is a coral reef stretching about 150 meters, and because the coastal waters are so calm, the area attracts many travelers. It’s a local spot where you can enjoy a mini-resort atmosphere.

Choose a room with a mosquito net

One thing to be careful about when staying in Madagascar is mosquitoes that carry malaria.
Mosquito coils sold in Madagascar often aren’t effective, so I believe it’s essential to choose accommodations with mosquito nets.

An elegant cruise

Step through the spacious, resort-like garden of your accommodation, and you’re already at the sea.

Since I had the chance, I decided to row out a bit offshore in a hand-paddled boat.
The sea is pleasantly shallow and calm, stretching out as far as the eye can see.

Along the way, our guide stopped the boat and brought something over.
He was holding a long creature in his hands.
It was probably a giant sea cucumber.

When fully extended, this enormous sea cucumber can reach up to three meters in length.
We couldn’t reach the coral reef due to the waves, but it seems that if you make it there, you’ll find beautiful fish swimming around.

The mysterious fruit I ate while strolling around town

While strolling through town, I came across a mysterious fruit that looked like something out of a fantasy.
The skin was quite tough—it didn’t budge even when I gave it a good punch.

Even my Malagasy friend didn’t know what it was, so I decided to buy it and try it out.
When I opened it, I found perfectly round, smooth flesh inside.
I hesitantly took a bite, and to my surprise, it was delicious.
It was a tasty fruit with a refreshing sweet-and-sour flavor, similar to an apricot.
During my stay in Madagascar, this was the only place I saw this fruit, but if you ever come across it, I recommend giving it a try.

As you’d expect from a coastal town, the market is lined with delicious-looking seafood.
A short walk away, I found a bucket full of spiny lobsters!!
A large quantity of spiny lobster—while it would cost a fortune to eat this in Japan, in Madagascar you can enjoy it for a bargain.
If you love shrimp, this is paradise...

A magnificent view of the mirrors

If you’re staying in Foulpointe, I especially recommend catching the sunrise.
Thanks to the calmness of the shoreline, you can witness a mirror-like beach reminiscent of the Uyuni Salt Flats.
The sun rises over the mirrored beach, with a single boat setting out across the water. It’s a beautiful everyday scene in Madagascar.

If you want to enjoy a relaxing mini-resort atmosphere, this is the place for you.