The Botry-Soa Fahitse Festival is back this year for its second edition. The event celebrates Belo sur Mer, a Vezo fishing village located about 80 km from Morondava, on the west coast of Madagascar. Known for its idyllic beaches, Belo sur Mer also stands out for the cultural richness of its community, which is closely tied to maritime activities.
Among the most emblematic traditions of Belo sur Mer is the traditional construction of dhows, wooden sailboats built using ancestral techniques passed down through generations. The festival’s name itself refers to these boats, which have sailed the Malagasy coasts for centuries and are deeply rooted in the country’s maritime heritage.
The 2025 edition will be held from August 21 to 24. Over five days, visitors will be immersed in Vezo culture through a diverse program, including exploration of the Belo sur Mer Marine Park, discovery of natural sites such as Andravoho Island and its turquoise waters, the Manahy dunes where flamingos nest, the Antsira salt flats, and the seaside village of Menaky, home to a seaweed farm.
Cultural and sports activities will further enrich the program, with demonstrations of traditional canoe building and sailing, dhow races, a beach soccer tournament, and various other cultural performances and events.
The Botry-Soa Fahitse Festival aims to promote Belo sur Mer as a premier tourist destination on Madagascar’s west coast and to showcase the richness and diversity of its tourism offerings.
Source : MADAGASCAR Treasure Island
