Ramena

Ramena is a village of sand streets and pirogues on the bay side of the peninsula that closes Diego Suarez harbour, with a long shallow beach, a row of simple hotels and restaurants, and boats leaving each morning for the Emerald Sea. Beyond the village a track runs out to the Baie des Dunes, Baie des Pigeons and Baie de Sakalava, three bays in a row that give the coast its reputation: Sakalava is windy enough to be a kitesurfing centre with schools operating in season, while the other two are quieter and better for swimming. The village itself is unpolished, with fish landed on the beach in the afternoon and a modest strip of eating places. It works as a base for the whole northern tip rather than as a resort.

What you actually see

• The village beach - pirogues drawn up and fish landed in the afternoon.
• The three bays - Dunes, Pigeons and Sakalava along the track east.
• Kitesurfing at Sakalava - schools working the reliable wind.
• Boats to the Emerald Sea - morning departures from the sand.

When to go

April to November. Wind is strongest from April to November too, which suits kitesurfing but not calm swimming; the bays differ enough that one of them usually works. Cyclone season closes most of the coast.

Honest expectations

This is a basic village, not a resort: power and water can be intermittent and choice is limited. The main beach is shallow and weedy in places, and the better swimming needs the track east. Wind blows sand constantly in season. The track to the bays needs a sturdy vehicle.

Nearby

The Emerald Sea is offshore; Montagne des Français lies southwest.