Lighthouses of Southern Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar (Madagasikara in Malagasy) occupies the world's fourth-largest island, lying parallel to the the southeastern coast of Africa. By the early 1800s the island was united by the Merina Kingdom. Beginning in 1883 France invaded the country and by 1897 it had become a French colony. Madagascar recovered its independence in 1960. Separated from any other continent for about 90 million years the mini-continent of Madagascar is famous for its unusual plants and wildlife.

The lighthouses of Madagascar, a heritage from France, deserve more attention than they have received in the past. The lack of photos is disappointing since many of the lighthouses are accessible near coastal towns. Current reports are needed; it appears that many of the historic coastal lights have been abandoned, although harbor lights are being maintained.

Malagasy and French are official languages in Madagascar. French place names in Madagascar have been replaced officially by names in the Malagasy language. However, the traditional French names also remain in common use.

Until 2009 Madagascar was divided into six provinces; now it is subdivided into 22 regions (faritra). This page includes lighthouses of the former provinces of Toamasina, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara, located respectively on the east coast, southeast coast and southwest coast of the island. There is a separate page covering the northern portion of the country.

The common Malagasy word for lighthouse, fara, is adapted from the French word phare. In Malagasy nosy is an island, tanjona is a cape, ranomasina is a bay or sea, renirano is a river, and seranana is a harbor.

Lighthouses in Madagascar are operated by the national port authority, the Agence Portuaire, Maritime et Fluviale (APMF).

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Phares d'Afrique
Photos posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller on their Phares du Monde web site.
Online List of Lights - Madagascar
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas.
World of Lighthouses - Madagascar
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Lighthouses in Madagascar
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
Afrikanische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.
Navionics Charts
Navigation chart information for Madagascar.
 


Île aux Nattes Light, September 2019
Google Maps photo by Albert Rivière

Analanjirofo Region Lighthouses

Mananara Avaratra District Lighthouse
Îlot Rocheaux
Date unknown. Probably inactive but listed with focal plane 8 m (26 ft); continuous red light. 4 m (13 ft) round strongly conical stone tower painted white with a red top. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. OpenSeaMap marks this as a "broken lighthouse" but Navionics charts it as active. There are no active port facilities at Mananara. Located on the west end of a sandy island on the east side of the entrance to Mananara. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D6949.5; NGA 32432.

Nosy Boraha District (Île Sainte-Marie) Lighthouses
Nosy Boraha (Île Sainte-Marie) is a long, slender island parallel to the coast and about 15 km (10 mi) offshore. Once known as a pirate base, it is now a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, wildlife, and scuba diving sites.

Îlot Madame (2)
Date unknown (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); green light occulting once every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) round unpainted stone tower. A view from the sea is available and Google has an indistinct satellite view. This light is also the front beacon of a day range; the rear beacon is the church tower seen in a photo by Francky Marka. Located on the northern tip of a small island marking the entrance to the harbor of Ambodifotatra (Port Sainte-Marie) on the southwestern coast of Nosy Boraha (Île Sainte-Marie). Presumably accessible only by boat; there should be a good view from ferries arriving from the mainland. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-025; Admiralty D6952; NGA 32444.
Rocher aux Sorciers (Pointe des Sorciers)
1910. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white; the light was originally shown through a window. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island on the north side of the harbor of Ambodifotatra (Port Sainte-Marie). Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty D6956; NGA 32440.
** Lohatanjona Antsirakakambana (Pointe Albrand, Nosy Boraha) (2)
1931 (station established 1906). Active (?); focal plane 80 m (262 ft); white flash every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cast iron tower with six ribs, lantern and gallery, mounted on a concrete base. Lighthouse painted white, lantern black or red. Peter Golz's photo is at right and Google has a satellite view. This is typical prefabricated tourelle. Clearly endangered by lack of maintenance; Masoandro Kwabna's 2022 photo shows the tower covered with rust. Located on heights about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of the northern tip of the island, about 5 km (3 mi) from the resort town of Ambatoroa. Site open, tower said to be open by arrangement with the keeper on duty. Accessible by road. ARLHS MAG-010; Admiralty D6950; NGA 32436.
** Lohatanjona Vohibato (Pointe Blévec, Île aux Nattes) (2)
1914 (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); continuous white light. 7 m (23 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern black. Albert Rivière's photo is at the top of this page, Jean-Paul Hafner has a 2016 photo, a 2022 photo and another closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Jean-Paul Hafner has a closeup photo of the Fresnel lens. Catherine Reichardt visited the lighthouse in May 2011 and reported that despite its poor appearance then the light was active, powered by two automobile batteries. Rivière's 2019 photo at the top of the page shows thet the lighthouse has been restored recently. The lighthouse is located at the southern end of Nosy Nato (Île aux Nattes), which is separated from the southern tip of Nosy Boraha (Île Sainte-Marie) by a narrow channel. There are resorts on the island and transportation is available. Site open, tower reported open by arrangement with the keeper. ARLHS MAG-033; Admiralty D6958; NGA 32452.

Pointe Albrand Light, Île Sainte-Marie, July 2014
Google Maps (ex-Panoramio) photo by Peter Golz;

Fenoarivo-Atsinanana District Lighthouse
* Lakaria (Lakaria Hill)
1934. Active (?); focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white tower. No photo available but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a hill at Fenoarivo-Atsinanana (Fénérive). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-026; Admiralty D6960; NGA 32456.
 

Atsinanana Region Lighthouses

Toamasina Rural and Urban District Lighthouses
The regional capital of Toamasina (called Tamatave under French rule) is a city of about 350,000 residents and the most important port on the east coast of Madagascar.
Nosy Alanana (Île aux Prunes, Nosy Alagnagna, Nosy Alañaña)
1932. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); three white flashes, separated by 5 s, every 25 s. 60 m (197 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower is white concrete; lantern and gallery painted black. A photo is at right, a 2022 closeup is available, Wikimedia has a photo, Heri Rakotoarimanana has an aerial view, Ando Landy has a street view from the base of the tower, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a good satellite view. The tower is 1 m taller than the Port Sa'id lighthouse in Egypt, so it is the tallest African lighthouse if Madagascar is considered part of Africa. Located on a small island about 16 km (10 mi) north northeast of Toamasina (Tamatave), the provincial capital and principal port of central eastern Madagascar. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-009; Admiralty D6972; NGA 32460.
Toamasina Grande Passe de l'Est (Salazamay) Range Front
Date unknown. Inactive; dropped by the Admiralty in 2015 but still listed by NGA. 14 m (46 ft) white concrete tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. This light was deactivated when the rear light was converted to a leading light. Located on the beach about 5 km (3 mi) north of Toamasina. Site presumably open, tower closed. ex-Admiralty D6973; NGA 32464.
* Toamasina Grande Passe de l'Est (Salazamay) (Range Rear)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); quick-flashing white light, intensified on the range line. 16 m (52 ft) tapered round tower., upper half painted black and lower half white. A rectangular white slatted daymark is displayed like a billboard behind the tower. Sylvain Ming has a photo and Google has a satellite view. This light guides vessels through a break in a reef that obstructs the approach to Toamasina. Located 950 m (0.6 mi) west of the front light. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D6973.1; NGA 32468.
* Pointe Tanio (Toamasina, Tamatave) (2)
Late 1990s (station established 1903). Active; focal plane about 40 m (131 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 12 s. Approx. 37 m (121 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. The tower is unpainted white concrete; lantern and gallery painted black. N. Fawaaz has the 2019 view from the harbor seen below right, a 2018 closeup photo is available, Natalie Rahajarizaka has a 2023 photo showing the tower freshly painted, Trabas has Rainer Arndt's view from the sea, a distant view from an approaching ship is available, and Google has a satellite view. The white sectors of this light guide ships in their entrance to Toamasina harbor. The original lighthouse, a classic 18 m (59 ft) tapered cast iron tower, was undermined and left leaning at 45° by Tropical Cyclone Geralda in February 1994. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the older tower. Located on the Boulevard Joffre on a point of land at the northern entrance to the harbor of Toamasina (Tamatave); a map is available. ARLHS MAG-017; Admiralty D6976; NGA 32476.

Nosy Alanana (Île aux Prunes) Light, Toamasina
unattributed photo from 1000lonelyplaces.com
* Toamasina (Tamatave) Immeuble Portuaire (Harbor Building)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); three flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 15 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. Lantern mounted a multistory building painted white with blue trim. Patricia Beason has a 2019 photo, a 2010 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront in Toamasina. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-042; Admiralty D6978; NGA 32480.

Vatomandry District Lighthouse
* Vatomandry
Date unknown. Inactive. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal concrete tower; the light was shone through a window. No photo available but Bing has an indistinct satellite view. The harbor entrance at Vatomandry has silted up almost completely and there are no longer any harbor facilities. Located on the barrier island opposite Vatomandry, about 400 m (1/4 mi) north of what's left of the entrance. Site appears open, tower closed.

Mahanoro District Lighthouse
* Mahanoro
1936. Active (?); focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round concrete pedestal. Lighthouse painted white, lantern and gallery black. Henry Drack Joseph's 2013 photo shows the lighthouse to be in poor condition. Google has a satellite view. Located on a prominent cape just south of Mahanoro. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D6988; NGA 32496.
 

Pointe Tanio Light, Toamasina, December 2019
Google Maps photo by N. Fawaaz

Vatovavy Region Lighthouses

Mananjary District Lighthouses
* Mananjary Transverse Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green light, intensified on the range line and occulting once every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Wikimedia has Arend Sikkema's closeup photo and Bing has a satellite view. Located on the dune above the beach about 3 km (2 mi) north of Mananjary, a town of about 25,000 residents at the mouth of the Mananjary River. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D6995; NGA 32508.
Mananjary Transverse Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); continuous green light, intensified on the range line. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Bing has a distant satellite view (lighthouse is near center, just below the white-roofed building). Located 400 m (1/4 mi) north northwest of the front light. Site status unknown. Admiralty D6995.1; NGA 32512.

Fitovinany Region Lighthouses

Manakara-Atsimo District lighthouses
A city of about 45,000 residents, Manakara is a seaport on Madagascar's southeast coast, linked by railroad to the former provincial capital of Fianarantsoa.

* Emokala Range Front
1939. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light. 12 m (39 ft) octagonal concrete tower with a small, off-center lantern. All paint has worn off the tower, leaving it as unpainted white concrete. Bing has a satellite view. Located just behind the beach about 5 km (3 mi) north of Manakara, near the airport. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D6998; NGA 32520.
* Manakara (Emokala Range Rear)
1939. Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); four white flashes every 25 s. 29 m (95 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lantern, gallery, and watch room painted black, the rest of the tower white. A photo by Adonis Tafangy is at right, Guyomard and Carceller have J. Evenat's photo, Isabelle Jolivat has a view from the train station, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a hilltop behind the airport 5 km (3 mi) north of Manakara and 1056 m (0.6 mi) northwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-007; Admiralty D6998.1; NGA 32524.
* Manakara Middle Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); quick-flashing white light, visible only on and near the range line. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal concrete tower. The lighthouse was formerly painted white with one black horizontal band, and traces of the black band remain. Bing has a satellite view. The front light is on a small tower at the beach about 800 m (1/2 mi) east. Located about 1.7 km (1.1 mi) southwest of the Emokala lighthouse and 3 km (2 mi) north of Manakara. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D7000.1; NGA 32532.
Manakara Residency (La Résidence)
1955. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 6 s. NGA describes this as a 10 m (33 ft) white octagonal tower with a black top. No photo available. The name Residency suggest that the tower is mounted on a building. It's possible that Google's satellite view shows the light but we need on-the-ground information. Located on the Manakara waterfront, a barrier island. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-027; Admiralty D7006; NGA 32544.

Manakara Light, Manakara, April 2019
Google Maps photo by Adonis Tafangy

Atsimo-Atsinanana Region Lighthouses

Farafangana District Lighthouse
Farafangana (Charbonnier) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1939). Inactive, but listed with focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s. 16 m (52 ft) octagonal tower, painted white with a black horizontal band. A blogger has a photo (click once on the right arrow) and Google has a satellite view. The original light was 12 m (39 ft) in height. Farafangana, a city about 80 km (50 mi) south of Manakara, is the regional capital and has a population of about 35,000. However there are no active port facilities at the city. Located on the south side of Farafangana. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-006; Admiralty D7014; NGA 32548.

Anosy Region Lighthouses

Taolagnaro District Lighthouses
Evatra (Lohatanjona Itaperina, Pointe d'Itapérina)
1907. Inactive since 1960. 7 m (23 ft) white round masonry tower. Lantern and Fresnel lens smashed by vandals many years ago. Keeper's house in ruins. A. Hovestadt's photo is at right, Frédéric Bastat also has a photo and Bing has a satellite view. This light has continued to be listed internationally despite having been out of service for more than six decades. Located on a sharp headland about 11 km (7 mi) northeast of Taolagnaro (Fort-Dauphin) and 2 km (1.2 mi) east of the village of Evatra. Accessible by a trail from the village (local guides needed). Site and tower open. ARLHS MAG-015; Admiralty D7018; NGA 32552.
* Taolagnaro Entrance Range Front
1954. Active (?); focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s, synchronized with the rear light. 10 m (33 ft) square stepped concrete tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Hovestadt reports that these range lights were not working when he visited in October 2007. Located atop a slope above the beach in downtown Taolagnaro (Fort-Dauphin). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-039; Admiralty D7019; NGA 32556.
* Taolagnaro Entrance Range Rear
1954. Active (?); focal plane 47 m (154 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s, synchronized with the front light. 8 m (26 ft) square stepped concrete tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Hovestadt reports that these range lights were not working when he visited in October 2007. Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the Avenue du Marechal Foch 260 m (850 ft) west southwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-045; Admiralty D7019.1; NGA 32560.
Taolagnaro Second Range Front
1954. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous white light. 12 m (39 ft) square concrete tower with lantern. Lighthouse painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of the peninsula sheltering the harbor of Taolagnaro (Fort-Dauphin). Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-040; Admiralty D7020; NGA 32564.
Taolagnaro Second Range Rear (Fort Flacourt)
Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 12 m hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern. Tower painted white. Google has a satellite view. Located atop a bluff 40 m (130 ft) south southeast of the front light. Site and tower closed (military reservation). ARLHS MAG-008; Admiralty D7020.1; NGA 32568.
Phare d"evatra
Evatra Light, 2007
photo copyright A. Hovestadt; used by permission
Fausse Baie des Galions Range Front
2009. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) round steel tower painted with red and white horizontal bands rising from a square equipment building and carrying a large rectangular daymark panel colored red with a white vertical stripe. Trabas has Erich Hartmann's photo and Google has a satellite view. This is the approach range for the Port d'Ehoala, a port 10 km (6 mi) southwest of Taolagnaro opened in 2009 to ship limenite (the main source of titanium) from a nearby mine. The port is also used by cruise ships. Located just off the beach of the Fausse Baie des Galions (False Bay of Galleons), a bight in the coastline between Taolagnaro and the port. Site status unknown. Admiralty D7019.06.
Fausse Baie des Galions Range Rear
2009. Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 25 m (82 ft) round steel tower painted with red and white horizontal bands carrying a large rectangular daymark panel colored red with a white vertical stripe. Trabas has Erich Hartmann's photo and Google has a satellite view. Located about 1.8 km (1.1 mi) northwest of the front light. Site status unknown. Admiralty D7019.061.
* Port d'Ehoala Range Front
2009. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 16 m (52 ft) round steel tower painted with red and white horizontal bands rising from a square equipment building and carrying a large rectangular daymark panel colored red with a black vertical stripe. Trabas has Erich Hartmann's photo (seen at right) and Google has a satellite view. This is the entrance range for the Port d'Ehoala. Located on the waterfront of the port. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D7021.6.
* Port d'Ehoala Range Rear
2009. Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 45 m (148 ft) round steel tower painted with red and white horizontal bands rising from a square equipment building and carrying a large rectangular daymark panel colored red with a black vertical stripe. Trabas has Erich Hartmann's photo and Google has a satellite view. This is the entrance range for the Port d'Ehoala. Located on the waterfront of the port. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D7021.61.
 

Port d'Ehoala Range Front Light, Port d'Ehoala
photo copyright Erich Hartmann; used by permission
 

Androy Region Lighthouses

Tsiombe District Lighthouse
**** Tanjona Vohimena (Cap Sainte-Marie)
1971. Active; focal plane 194 m (636 ft); white flash every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) square stone tower with lantern, gallery, and four ribs at the corners. The tower is unpainted stone with the four ribs and gallery painted white and the lantern black. A photo is at right, Dr. M. Sandrine has a 2012 photo, Bodo Ram has a 2023 photo, and Bing has a satellite view of the station. The lighthouse was renovated in 2007 and a new lantern and lamp were installed. The surrounding area is a national park, the Réserve Spéciale du Cap Sainte-Marie. The lighthouse stands on the southernmost tip of Madagascar, atop a spectacular vertical cliff. Site open, and the keeper will conduct tours of the tower for visitors. ARLHS MAG-005; Admiralty D7022; NGA 32576.

Atsimo-Andrefana Region Lighthouses

Toliara District Lighthouses
Anosy Beacon (Toliary Range Front)
1921. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous red light. 8 m (26 ft) square masonry tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Keeper's house in ruins. Nomentsoa Ezekel Randriamitandaza has a 2023 photo and a photo showing both range lights (this light is on the right), and Google has a satellite view. The range guides vessels around the north end of the coral reef protecting the harbor. Located on a sand spit that shelters the harbor of Toliara (also called Toliary or Tuléar). Site status unknown. Admiralty D7024; NGA 32580.
Anosy Beacon (Toliary Range Rear)
1921. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); continuous white light. 17 m (56 ft) square masonry tower with lantern, painted white; lantern painted black. This light is on the left in Nomentsoa Ezekel Randriamitandaza's photo showing both range lights and Google has a satellite view. Located about 200 m (220 yd) east southeast of the front light. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-022; Admiralty D7024.1; NGA 32584.

Morombé District Lighthouses
Nosy Lava (Morombé)
1955. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white light, 4.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 17 m (56 ft) square masonry tower with lantern, painted white; lantern painted black. Not to be confused with the better-known Nosy Lava Light off Analalava in Mahajanga Province (see the Northern Madagascar page). No photo available but Google has a satellite view. There is a photo of the island that appears to be taken from atop the lighthouse. Located near the northern tip of a small island about 8 km (5 mi) off the harbor of Morombé. Accessible only by boat; transportation to the island is available in Morombé. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-041; Admiralty D7027; NGA 32600.

Cap Sainte Marie Light, Tsiombe District, July 2011
Google Maps photo by Jerome A.
Morombé Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); continuous red light. 15 m (49 ft) pyramidal tower painted white with a black vertical stripe. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. This range guides vessels through an opening in the reef protecting Morombé. The front light is on a 10 m (33 ft) tower. Located in a forest south of Morombé. Site status unknown. Admiralty D7028.1; NGA 32608.

Menabe Region Lighthouses

Morondava District Lighthouse
* Morondava
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 1 s off. 30 m (98 ft) round water tower. Jacques Denis Dede has a photo and Google has a satellite view. Located in downtown Morondava. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D7030; NGA 32616.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Northern Madagascar | East: Réunion | West: Mayotte

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted November 14, 2005. Checked and revised January 8, 2024. Lighthouses: 35. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.