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Pangalanes Canal, Madagascar
Fishermen in the Pangalanes Canal
Running parallel to the Indian Ocean the Pangalanes Canal forms a network of man-made channels connecting fresh water lakes and lagoons.
Stretching 600 kilometres from the bustling port of Tamatave to Farafangana along the south east coast, the Pangalanes is the longest canal in the world. Though overgrown with aquatic plants the canal still dominates daily life in this region as it provides the main source of trade and transport. Plans are in place to clear the weed and upgrade the canal once more to the busy commercial waterway that it once was. Cruising by boat on the calm waters of Pangalanes is fascinating.
This area is the stronghold of the Betsimisaraka people and their villages can be seen along the banks. On the waterways themselves you see pirogues, local fishermen, rafts carrying timber and over-crowded ferries with names such as 'Great Hopes' and 'Malagasy Fish'.
When staying on Ile Sainte Marie you must go for lunch on the jetty at Boraha Villas. The setting is superb plus they serve the best crab in the whole of Madagascar.
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