Here is a Google image of Crater Bay….look at all those boats?! What isn’t shown here are all the local boats, both fishing and transport.
Anchor down….ther are a ton of cruisers here from everywhere!!! When arriving here, it looked like a marina with the sheer number of masts on the horizon…. But it’s in the morning where all the excitement is…
Crater Bay Anchorage: 13 23.9269 S, 048 13.2047 E
What has taken our breathe away since arriving in Nosy Be has been the local boats, Pirogues or sometimes called Dhows, and Crater Bay is a showcase for sure! These sailing rigs are in different sizes: Large ones are used to mostly transport people and goods from the mainland to islands, medium sized ones both used for transportation and fishing, and the small ones generally used for fishing. In Crater Bay there are dozens of these small boats every morning fishing with nets for the days catch with local boys chatting to one another and will paddle/sail very close to your boat on their way back to shore….always wave!
Medium sized…. 
Small sized… 
…dozens in the bay every morning!
Yacht Club de Nosy Be
The only “yacht” facility that we will encounter during our visit in Madagascar. There is one pier that is used to shuttle tourists onto charter catamarans, take on water, and acts as the dinghy dock. There are bathrooms and showers, a washing machine for laundry but no dryer, garbage disposal, a few shops, tour operator, and a lovely bar/restaurant…we frequent there quite a bit!
The one pier… and the amount of dinghys here is really nothing compared to evening time! 
OMG…a little shop at the Yacht Club has Save a Sail merchandise!!! 
Anther small shop has a book exchange, courtesy flags, small parts and fishing gear….I loved these bags too. 
We plan to be in and out of Crater Bay but possibly not an entire 7 days straight as there is so much to see. Technically there is a fee of $30 USD/week to use their dinghy dock and other amenities….everything is negotiable……
Town of Madirokely
The Yacht Club is about a 15 minute walk on a dirt road, along the shore where all the local boats unload, lined with homes and small shops with local hangouts. It’s rustic and raw..
Once on the paved road you are hit with a combustion of activity: Horns honking, whistling, French and local Malagasy langues, vibrant colors, and music everywhere….it was a complete overload of the senses!
We are in Africa!!!! 
Zebu cart…. 
Style seems to be very important here…I wish I had a photo of some of the women who were really dressed up! 
The only ‘supermarket’ in town. Turn right when you get to the main paved road and walk about 1-2 blocks, it will be on your right hand side. There are little tables and chairs out front so if you blink, you may not know it’s a store. 
Love the colors here! 
Trevor and I stopped off a the Bidule Bar to have a snack and a beer….this guy ended up selling Trevor a knife of sort….he was intent on selling us something so why not a knife?!
There is an ATM and a place to top up on credit for data in this town if you turn left at the main paved road so no need to go all the way to Hell-Ville. There is also a small “chandelier” that Trevor has been to. Turn right when you reach the main paved road and it’s about 2-3 blocks on the left hand side of the road. He says it’s pretty basic but does have some boat stuff. The owner speaks a little English and it could be possible he would know where to find things…but we have yet the need to do this (knock on wood three times). Don;t have photos yet
The Market
If you turn right at the main paved road, past the Big Bazar grocery store about 3-4 blocks, on the right hand side of the road, you’ll see a dirt alley/side street…that is the way to the market. You can of course buy from the vendors lined along the main paved road as well…some of the avocados looked amazing!
Inside the white building is the market, though it would seem the market is “everywhere”…..one detail…the flies are impressive!!!!
Three Horse Beer (THB) Time….
The Yacht Club offers a Friday night happy hour that starts at 4 pm, sometime with a live local band…there is usually a special drink you can buy 2 for the price of one…yes please!….And they offer a Sunday pig roast but you have to sign up before hand. It’s a great way to meet up with everyone and connect after some have left Crater Bay to go explore elsewhere. The food is cheap and not so bad…almost cheaper to eat here than cook on the boat…Trevor likes that idea (HAHAHA)!
Happy hour!!! 
Ahhh..Wood fired Pizza : ) 
Sunday Pig Roast!
We have only been in the Nosy Be area for 3 days but after a quick tour of town, bellies and liver full of good and cheap food…it was time to see Madagascar’s 4-legged natives…LEMURS!!!!!
Next up…A day trip to Nosy Komba…Lemurs at last!!!!