Riake Resort & Villa

Riake Resort & Villa is set on the north-east coast of Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, facing the Indian Ocean along one of the island's longest stretches of white sand. The property runs to bungalows and villas built in the local semi-hard style, each with its own terrace and a direct sightline to the water. Villas add a mezzanine double bed and a private stretch of beach for breakfast. From June to September, humpback whales pass close enough to watch from the terrace. Guides lead trips into the mangroves at Ampanihy Bay by dugout canoe, and out to the natural rock pools near Ambodirano village, reachable by quad bike or 4x4. Île aux Nattes, a small island to the south with warm, clear water, is a common day trip. A dive partner runs trips to coral gardens and a wreck site nearby, suited to beginners and certified divers alike. It is a working stretch of coast rather than a resort strip: fishing villages sit along the shoreline, and excursions move through them on foot, by canoe, or by quad. Check-in details are handled directly with the property.