Humpback whales
They come up the Sainte-Marie channel to calve. You watch them from a boat, often from the beach — sometimes even from your terrace.
July → September
10 / 10 on Booking.com · Traveller Review Award 2026
One beach. One bungalow. Nothing else.
On the west coast of Île Sainte-Marie, Dicilaba Lodge is a single bungalow open to the Indian Ocean, with its own pool and its own beach. The whole place, just for the two of you.
10
Booking.com rating
1
Bungalow, all yours
0
Metres to the beach
23
km from the airport
The place
A tropical garden
set on the sand
In Antanandava, on the west coast of Sainte-Marie, between lush vegetation and a wild beach. A single bungalow, nestled in an exotic garden, in unspoilt surroundings.
Seven years ago this was nothing but a bare plot by the sea. Emilie and Floryan cleared it, planted it, drew it out — then built a bungalow on it, just one. Today the land slopes gently down through coconut palms, crotons and bougainvillea to a pale sand beach edged with black rock. A private pool facing the open sea, a dining pavilion with your feet in the sand, a hammock between two trees. The neighbourhood is quiet and unspoilt: you wake to the sound of the waves. And that rarity on Sainte-Marie — when you book, you book the whole place.
Private poolFacing the ocean, steps from the bungalow
Private beachDirect access, without crossing anyone else's land
Complete exclusivityA single lodging on the entire property
Tropical gardenCoconut palms, crotons, hibiscus and banana trees
The bungalow
Malagasy craft,
contemporary comfort
35 m² under a palm roof, woven bamboo walls, polished concrete floor. A large double bed under a mosquito net, a shower room open to the sky, a terrace that carries the bedroom out into the garden.
1 large double bed
2 guests
35 m²
Private shower room
Air conditioning
Free Wi-Fi
Linen & housekeepingSheets, towels and daily service included
SafeAnd 24-hour security on the property
Mosquito netOver the bed, and hot water at any hour
Secure private garageFree, for a car, scooter or tuk-tuk
Books & gamesA small library and board games on site
Hammock & garden furnitureOutdoor shower and open-air dining area
Massage on requestOn site, at extra cost — just tell us on arrival
Free Wi-FiElectricity and hot water 24/7
Pool & beach
The pool ends
where the lagoon begins
Only the pool's edge separates it from the sand. At low tide the reef emerges as a mosaic of clear pools; at high tide the water comes back to lap the black rocks a few metres away.
Late in the day the sun sets directly ahead of you: this is the island's west coast. The sky turns orange above the lagoon and the pool becomes a mirror. Towels, loungers and a hammock are there; the rest is up to you.
The table
French cooking,
local produce
There is no menu. We ask what you like, and cook with whatever the island's growers and fishermen brought in that morning.
BreakfastContinental or vegetarian, on the terrace or served in your room
Lunch & dinnerOn request, under the pavilion facing the sea
Short supply chainFish, fruit and vegetables from neighbouring growers
Tailored to youDiets and allergies accommodated — tell us on arrival
Around the bungalow
Sainte-Marie,
at your own pace
The island is 50 km long and can be crossed in an hour by tuk-tuk. Floryan knows the right spots, the right hours and the right people — just ask him.
Snorkelling & reef
The reef flat is exposed in front of the property at low tide. For drop-offs and turtles, head to Îlot Madame or the Baie des Forbans.
All year roundDeep-sea fishing
Out with the village fishermen, trolling or casting. Whatever comes back often ends up on your plate that evening.
On requestWalks & village
Forest trails, the pirate cemetery, the Ambodifotatra market, the northern beaches. On foot, by bike or by scooter.
All year round
January – March
Rainy season
Hot and humid, tropical downpours and cyclone risk. The garden has never been greener.
April – June
Mild and bright
The rain thins out, temperatures soften, the island empties. The connoisseurs' season.
July – September
The whales
Dry, cool season, and the height of humpback whale season. The most sought-after period — book early.
October – December
Warm and sunny
The sea warms up, the days lengthen, and the rains have not yet returned.
Indicative only: Sainte-Marie's weather varies from year to year. Write to us and we'll tell you what to expect.
The beach lounge
One large room
without walls
Under a timber and palm frame: a built-in bench, two planter's chairs, a dugout canoe turned into a coffee table — and for the only wall, the horizon.
This is where you take coffee in the morning, read through the afternoon when the sun beats down, and watch the sky change colour in the evening. The floor is sand. You come in barefoot.
Gallery
25 reasons to come
Click a photo to enlarge it, then browse with the arrow keys.
What our guests say
10 out of 10,
and not a word too many
Verified reviews published on Booking.com by guests who actually stayed here. Translated from French.
“The intimate setting and the personal touch, the quiet, Floryan, who is a model of hotel professionalism. Very fine meals with your feet (almost) in the water, discreet and efficient staff throughout. Absolutely nothing to fault — only THANK YOU.”
“Everything: the bungalow, the privacy, the service, the setting, the food. Everything was perfect. Floryan and Émilie made us extremely welcome. They helped turn this trip into something unforgettable. We will certainly be back.”
“Everything! The location… and having the little pool entirely to ourselves. The hosts do everything they can to make your stay as pleasant as possible.”
“The place is quite simply exceptional: original, peaceful and idyllic all at once, with a real sense of privilege thanks to how private the grounds are. Spotlessly clean and perfectly comfortable. […] Special mention for the food, prepared with great care and quality — a treat at every meal!”
“A natural setting, magical and deeply restful. Furnished with enormous taste, using the finest Malagasy craftsmanship with a very contemporary touch.”
“A real little paradise on Sainte-Marie! The location is ideal: by the sea, quiet, surrounded by greenery and calm. Special mention for Floryan and Emilie, always available, attentive and full of good advice.”
Award
10/ 10 — Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2026
Top score awarded to Dicilaba Lodge
The award recognises the properties rated highest by travellers over the past year. Emilie and Floryan received it for their first full season open.
Your hosts
Emilie & Floryan
She is from Lyon, he is from Réunion. Former flight attendants and lifelong travellers, they settled on Sainte-Marie to welcome you themselves, in person.
Their aim is simple: that you feel at home, with attentive service and a genuine immersion in local culture. They are the ones who advise you on activities, arrange excursions, cook the meals with fresh produce from nearby. The welcome is private: no reception desk, no fixed hours, just a conversation.
French
English
Creole
Malagasy
“Welcome to our home.”
Practical details
Getting here
Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha) is reached by plane from Antananarivo or Toamasina, or by boat from Soanierana-Ivongo. From there we are thirty minutes from the airport, on the west coast — in a quiet neighbourhood, but with everything within reach.
300 m
A waterfall, on foot
Steps away
Restaurants and a grocery shop
15 min
The bustle of town
20 min
A golf course
30 min
Sainte-Marie airport
- Address
- Dicilaba Lodge
- N°21 Rue de Madagascar
- Antanandava — 515 Île Sainte-Marie
- Madagascar Open in Google Maps
- Arrival & departure
- Check-in: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Check-out: 6:00 am – 11:00 am
- Private check-in and key handover. Please let us know your arrival time in advance — we are happy to come and collect you.
- Transport
- Sainte-Marie airport: 30 min (23 km)
- Town and its bustle: 15 min
- Golf course: 20 min
- Tuk-tuks and scooter hire available nearby; car with driver on request. We arrange the transfer. Free secure private garage on site.
- Good to know
- The bungalow sleeps 2 people maximum.
- No private kitchen — meals are prepared on site.
- Free Wi-Fi, electricity and hot water 24/7.
- Long stays welcome.
- Languages spoken: French, English, Creole, Malagasy.
Frequently asked questions
The essentials, before you book
What is Dicilaba Lodge?
Dicilaba Lodge is a private beachfront bungalow in Antanandava, on the west coast of Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha), Madagascar. The property has a single lodging: a 35 m² bungalow for two guests, with a large double bed, a private shower room, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Guests have a pool facing the Indian Ocean, a private beach with direct access, a tropical garden and a thatched pavilion where meals are served, all to themselves. The lodge is run by its owners, Emilie and Floryan, who welcome their guests in person and cook with local produce. Stays cost from €100 a night, with breakfast and daily housekeeping included. Dicilaba Lodge, formerly known as “Les Bungalows Dicilaba”, is rated 10/10 on Booking.com (26 reviews as of 1 October 2026) and received a Traveller Review Award 2026. Sainte-Marie airport is 23 km away, a thirty-minute drive.
| Lodging | Private bungalow, the only lodging on the property |
|---|---|
| Location | Antanandava, west coast of Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha), Madagascar |
| Capacity | 2 guests · 35 m² · 1 large double bed |
| Rate | From €100 a night, breakfast and daily housekeeping included |
| Check-in and check-out | Check-in 2 pm to 11 pm · check-out 6 am to 11 am |
| Airport | Sainte-Marie airport 23 km away, a 30-minute drive |
| Languages | French, English, Creole, Malagasy |
| Rating | 10/10 on Booking.com (26 reviews) · Traveller Review Award 2026 |
| Booking | Direct by WhatsApp or email, at the same rate as on Booking.com and Airbnb |
Information checked on .
Where is Dicilaba Lodge and how do you get there?
Dicilaba Lodge is at N°21 Rue de Madagascar, Antanandava, on the west coast of Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha), Madagascar. The island is reached by plane from Antananarivo or Toamasina, or by boat from Soanierana-Ivongo. The lodge is then 23 km from Sainte-Marie airport, about a thirty-minute drive. Emilie and Floryan arrange the transfer; tuk-tuks and scooter hire are available nearby, and a secure private garage is free on site.
How much does a night at Dicilaba Lodge cost?
A night at Dicilaba Lodge costs from €100, depending on the season and length of stay. The rate includes breakfast and daily housekeeping. Lunch and dinner are prepared on request, and massages are available at extra cost. The rate is the same whether you book direct with the owners or through Booking.com or Airbnb.
How many guests does the bungalow sleep?
Dicilaba Lodge sleeps a maximum of two guests. The property has just one 35 m² bungalow, with a large double bed under a mosquito net, a private shower room and a terrace. Booking the bungalow therefore means booking the whole place: the pool, the beach, the garden and the beach lounge are not shared with any other guest.
When is the best time to visit Sainte-Marie?
The best time to visit Sainte-Marie depends on what you are looking for. July to September is the dry, cool season and humpback whale season: it is the most sought-after period at Dicilaba Lodge, so it is best to book early. From April to June the rains ease off, temperatures soften and the island empties. From October to December it is warm and sunny and the sea warms up. January to March is the rainy season, hot and humid, with a risk of cyclones. These are rough guides: Sainte-Marie's climate varies from one year to the next.
Can you see humpback whales from Dicilaba Lodge?
Yes. From July to September, humpback whales swim up the Sainte-Marie channel to calve. The beach at Dicilaba Lodge, on the island's west coast, looks out over this channel: the whales can be watched by boat, and often from the beach, sometimes even from the bungalow's terrace. As the property has only one lodging, this is the most sought-after period: it is best to book early.
Are meals served on site?
Yes. Breakfast, continental or vegetarian, is included and served on the terrace or in the room. Lunch and dinner are prepared on request and served under the pavilion, facing the sea. There is no menu: the cooking is French and follows what guests like and what the island's fishermen and growers bring in that morning. Diets and allergies are catered for. The bungalow has no private kitchen; restaurants and a grocery shop are a short walk away.
Which facilities and services are included?
A stay at Dicilaba Lodge includes the private pool facing the ocean, direct access to the private beach, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, electricity and hot water around the clock, sheets and towels, daily housekeeping, a safe, a mosquito net, a secure private garage and round-the-clock security on the property. A hammock, an outdoor shower, a bookshelf and board games are there for guests to use.
How do you book Dicilaba Lodge?
You book direct with Emilie and Floryan, with no middleman: by WhatsApp on +261 37 60 774 62, or with the form on this page. They usually reply within the day. The bungalow can also be booked on Booking.com and Airbnb, at the same rate. Check-in is between 2 pm and 11 pm, check-out between 6 am and 11 am. Long stays are welcome.
Are Dicilaba Lodge and Les Bungalows Dicilaba the same place?
Yes. Dicilaba Lodge is the new name of Les Bungalows Dicilaba: the same bungalow, the same address in Antanandava and the same owners, Emilie and Floryan. The property still appears under its former name on some platforms and directories; its Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2026 prize was in fact awarded under the name “Les Bungalows Dicilaba”.
Book
One bungalow only.
Book it early.
With only one lodging, the calendar fills quickly — especially from July to September, during whale season. Write to us and we'll tell you straight away what is free.
From €100 a night, depending on season and length of stay. Breakfast and daily housekeeping included.
Direct
Write to us,
we answer ourselves
No booking centre, no middleman. Emilie and Floryan read the messages themselves and usually reply the same day.
WhatsApp · Madagascar
+261 37 60 774 62 — on site, the fastest
WhatsApp · Réunion
+262 692 400 929
E-mail
contact@dicilabalodge.mg
Prefer to call? +261 37 60 774 62. We speak French, English, Creole and Malagasy. Time zone: Sainte-Marie is UTC+3.
Ask about your dates
Fill this in, then choose: WhatsApp opens with the message ready-written, or your enquiry reaches us directly by email.