Mahajanga - Docking

Shallow draft vessels might consider the small craft harbour. It is VERY busy with local fishing and trading boats. It is possible to anchor off the eastern end of the commercial wharf, but this is rather exposed.

Another option is close to Schneider Bay as possible, (GPS  15deg 42.91’ S  46deg 17.79’ E) right on the edge of the shallows. The bay itself is too shallow for mooring except for a cat. This position is close to a mooring buoy used by oil tankers but they tie-up between the buoy and the mole so there is no problem. From here there is a small beach where you can land a dinghy and pay 5000 Ar as a minding fee. It is a 3000 Ar taxi ride to town.

Do not anchor near Point de Sable as shown in "East Africa Pilot"; you will be told to move.

The sleepy village of Katsepy (see photo courtesy of SY Totem) is five miles across the mouth of the delta from Mahajanga’s inner harbour. The village is a terminus for bush taxis to drop passengers to be ferried to Mahajanga. This is an easy and convenient place to provision and fuel (by jerry can from a gas station near the harbour via tuk-tuk). There are 2 two well-stocked supermarkets walking distance from the waterfront.

The river delta here is extremely muddy.

Last updated: October 2015