In Madagascar, call JRCC Antananarivo on +261 20 22 444 10. Police, from a mobile: 117. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Météo Madagascar (meteomadagascar.mg, 'Prévisions marines') publishes a daily coastal marine bulletin and a high-seas bulletin covering 10°S–30°S from the African coast to 60°E. For some bulletin types it refers mariners to the METAREA VII/VIII bulletins from the Mauritius and South African weather services.
Météo Madagascar (Direction Générale de la Météorologie) · Météo Madagascar (Direction Générale de la Météorologie) · Météo Madagascar (Direction Générale de la Météorologie) ▾
meteomadagascar.mg (2026-10-14): “BULLETIN DE PRÉVISION POUR LA MARINE DESTINE A LA NAVIGATION HAUTE MER (DE 10°S A 30°S / COTES AFRICAINES A 60°E ET DE 05°S A 30°S / 60°E A 70°E) ÉTABLI PAR MÉTÉO MADAGASCAR”
meteomadagascar.mg (2026-10-14): “Veuillez consulter le bulletin du METAREA VII/VIII, produit par le Service Météorologique de Maurice (MMS) et/ou de l’Afrique du Sud (SAWS).”
Cyclone season normally runs from November to April, and coastal areas are most at risk. Follow Météo Madagascar and the Météo-France 'Cyclone Océan Indien' warnings.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The cyclone season in Madagascar normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas are particularly at risk.”
Official warnings
Piracy in the Indian Ocean is a significant risk; pirates can attack 1,000 nautical miles or more from the Somali coast. Sailing yachts should keep out of the former High-Risk Area and report to UKMTO.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Pirates can attack up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast or more.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Sailing vessels should not enter the former High-Risk Area”
Coastal ferries to Sainte Marie and on the west coast (Toliara, Morondava, Mahajanga, Nosy Be) have had accidents from overcrowding, poor maintenance, poor crew training and sudden squalls. Check the weather locally before going.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There have been accidents caused by overcrowding, poor maintenance, poor crew training and unexpected squalls. Check weather conditions locally before travelling.”
Armed criminals have boarded boats and robbed passengers on the Tsiribihina River in western Madagascar.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Armed criminals have boarded boats on the Tsiribihina River in western Madagascar and robbed the passengers. Seek alternative routes.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Madagascar?+
In Madagascar, call JRCC Antananarivo on +261 20 22 444 10. Police, from a mobile: 117. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Madagascar?+
The general emergency number in Madagascar is 117. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Madagascar. In a sea emergency, call +261 20 22 444 10.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in Madagascar?+
Cyclone season normally runs from November to April, and coastal areas are most at risk. Follow Météo Madagascar and the Météo-France 'Cyclone Océan Indien' warnings.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Madagascar?+
Météo Madagascar (meteomadagascar.mg, 'Prévisions marines') publishes a daily coastal marine bulletin and a high-seas bulletin covering 10°S–30°S from the African coast to 60°E. For some bulletin types it refers mariners to the METAREA VII/VIII bulletins from the Mauritius and South African weather services.
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