Things To Do
in Katsepy

Whole fish grilled over charcoal with lime and local spices — widely available at the beachfront stalls and fish markets.

Must-Try!

Skewers of shrimp, squid or small pieces of fish, quickly grilled and sold as street food along the shore; best mid-afternoon or at sunset.

Crushed cassava leaves often cooked with pork, served with rice — a Malagasy classic often found in more substantial household meals or at local hotely.

A traditional Malagasy snack of ground peanuts, rice flour and sugar wrapped in banana leaf — sold by street vendors and at market stalls.

A small, lively market where fishermen sell the daily catch; arrive early for the freshest fish, octopus and shellfish and to capture busy morning scenes.

Informal open-air stalls on the sand selling grilled seafood, sambos (samosas) and fried snacks; excellent for casual tasting and affordable meals.

A friendly greeting and handshake (or nod) is appreciated; address elders with deference and use polite Malagasy phrases when possible.

Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in villages and of sacred sites; many locals appreciate being asked first.

Dress modestly out of respect for local norms — swimwear is fine on the beach but cover up when away from the shore and visiting homes. Avoid public displays of affection.

Be aware that certain places or objects may be considered sacred (fady) by local communities — ask a local guide or resident if you are unsure and respect restrictions.

Tipping is modest and informal: rounding up bills, giving small notes to guides or boat crews (a few thousand ariary) is appreciated but not mandatory. In small hotely and stalls tip is rare; for boat drivers, porters and guides a small tip after good service is customary.

Cash in Malagasy ariary (MGA) is the primary payment method in Katsepy; ATMs and card acceptance are limited to Mahajanga. Mobile money services exist in towns but coverage and acceptance are inconsistent in village settings, so bring enough cash and small denominations for local purchases.

A short shoreline walk linking the village, beaches and lighthouse — easy and scenic with good photo stops at sunrise and sunset.

Guided walking and boat routes through mangrove channels — flat, shaded and rich in birdlife; best with a local guide to point out species and ecology.

Short hikes or walks to small groups of baobabs in the surrounding countryside for landscape photography and local flora observation.

A longer excursion (couple-hours drive from Mahajanga) offering marked trails, true forest hikes, endemic bird species and varied wildlife — ideal for an extended nature day trip from Katsepy.

Vegetarian options are available but limited; rice with vegetable sides, coconut-based dishes and fried plantain are common. Informal eateries may not use a separate kitchen, so cross-contamination with fish is likely.

Vegan choices are scarce in small village settings — bring snacks and be explicit about avoiding animal products; fresh fruit, rice and simple vegetable dishes are the main options.

Staple food is rice, so gluten-free travelers will find many safe dishes, but packaged snacks and batter-fried foods may contain wheat flour — ask locally and carry safe options if needed.

Drink bottled or boiled water, avoid raw seafood if you have a sensitive stomach, and eat cooked, hot dishes from busy stalls to minimize risk of foodborne illness.