Samy Express

Samy Express is a passenger boat transfer service between Ambolobozobe and Vohemar, connecting the route between Diego Suarez, Vohemar, Sambava and Antalaha partly by sea and partly by road. The service operates only during the rainy season in February, March and April when the sea is usually calm and the road between Ambilobe and Vohemar is preferably avoided because it’s more or less impassable.

Travelling from Diego to Vohemar begins with a taxi-brousse ride starting from Samy Express' main office on RN6 towards the airport on the outskirts of Diego Suarez.

The departure times vary depending on the boat schedule, tide and weather conditions. There is usually a night's stop en route, which is either at Ambolobozobe or at another village following part of the boat ride. The initial car ride can take between 3-6 hours depending on the road conditions, especially starting from Andrafiabe from where a dirt-road continues after the crossing leaving RN6 towards Ambolobozobe port.

The overnight accommodation in a basic hotel is not included in the ticket price and will cost about 10,000 Ar for a night.

Prior to the boat's departure, either the evening before or on the same day as travel, all passenger will be rounded up for a luggage inventory and pre-travel briefing by the captain.

Diego Suarez to Ambolobozobe by car

Tour data
Date: 10th February 2019
Distance: 56.97 kilometres
Duration: 3 hours, 12 minutes
Average speed: 17.70 km/h
Minimum elevation: 9.75 metres
Maximum elevation: 186.84 metres
Total climb: 304.19 metres
Total descent: 360.88 metres

Ambolobozobe to Vohemar by boat

Before passing a rocky cape shortly ahead of Bay of Adravina 12°53'43.9"S 49°51'22.6"E all passengers are required to remain silent and women are obligated to wear their hair down. Many of the passengers will appear visibly frightened during the approximately 20-minute passage. The use of mobile phones and other electronics are strictly prohibited to avoid disturbing the spirits of those who drowned in maritime accidents at this location.

If the fady is broken, possibly fatal maritime accident or other trouble is believed to follow. Every four years, members of the surrounding Sakalava-Anjoaty tribe meet up near the cape to sacrifice zebu as part of the Famangiana tany manintsy ceremonies at Ambavan'Iharana.

When arriving in Vohemar, passengers travelling further to Sambava and Antalaha and who have no issue with seasickness followed immediately by car-sickness can pre-book a taxi-brousse connecting directly with the boat arrival at Vohemar. Otherwise, an overnight stay at Paradisia or some other hotel in Vohemar is recommended.

Tour data
Date: 11th February 2019
Distance: 87.06 kilometres
Duration: 6 hours, 11 minutes
Average speed: 14 km/h
Minimum elevation: 3.35 metres
Total descent: 0 metres

Samy Express - Vedette Rapide - Diego

Opposite Galana petrol station on RN6 en route Arrachart Airport
Lot. A109AMH
Diego Suarez

Note: There are also ticket resellers for this and other boat services next to Gargote Samiah closer to the town centre in Diego Suarez, but the main office along the RN6 direction airport is the recommended ticketing office.

Contact: Patricia
Tel: +261 (0)32 52 429 17 / +261 (0)32 40 169 09

Samy Express - Vedette Rapid - Vohemar

Next to Hôtel Côcô Plage
Vohemar

Contact: Beandalana
Tel: +261 (0)32 27 889 57 / +261 (0)32 62 075 08

Samy Express - Vedette Rapid - Sambava

The office in Sambava is the headquarter of the business and is located in the city area of Antanifotsy.

The price for the boat ride between Ambolobozobe and Vohemar is 100,000 Ariary (2019) including taxi-brousse between Sambava and Vohemar and Ambolobozobe and Diego.

Samy Express Head Office
Antanifotsy
Sambava

Contact: Hortensia
Tel: +261 (0)32 40 169 08

Update 2019: A new and larger boat named BIG SAMY which can take up to 150 passengers was introduced in December 2019 which goes directly from Vohemar all the way to Diego. Depending weather conditions, the voyage can take about seven hours.

For those looking for a faster and more convenient boat service, look no further because there is none. Samy Express is the best there is!

View all Samy Express photos