- Resource Centre
- Expedition preparation
What to bring
We recommend that you try and only bring two bags: a small rucksack to carry any personal and valuable items such as money, passports, tickets, cameras etc. and a main bag to be checked. However, some airlines require that sports equipment is packed in a separate bag in order to qualify for extra luggage allowance, so check with your airline.
When packing make sure any breakable items (underwater camera, torch, etc) are well protected as bags are handled very roughly. All bags placed in the hold of the airplane should be locked and any straps tucked away to avoid snagging. See our Flights section for additional advice on airline baggage security measures.
Most importantly, try to ensure that you are able to carry your bags comfortably without the need for help. On arrival in Ifaty you may be required to walk some distance on rugged terrain from the taxi-brousse drop off point to our camp site. Staff will be on hand to help but they may also have materials and equipment to carry.
Malagasy weather
| Months | Season | Malaria risk | Average day temp. ºC | Average night temp. ºC |
| Dec-Jan | Summer (cyclone) | Medium | 35 - 40 | 30 - 35 |
| Feb-Mar | Summer | High | 38 - 40 | 33 - 35 |
| Apr-May | Autumn (rainy) | High / Medium | 30 - 35 | 20 - 28 |
| Jun-Aug | Winter | Low | 20-26 | 15-17 |
| Sep-Oct | Spring | Low | 25 | 20 - 25 |
| Nov | Spring | Medium | 30 | 38 |
Clothes
The type of clothes you bring will depend on the time of year you decide to join ReefDoctor. Outlined below is the suggested list of clothing, use the weather table above as a reference. Try to bring a mix of work clothes and something to wear in the evenings and for work meetings.
In general between October and March there is no need for any type of thick clothing. From January to May you will need a light raincoat, and from May to August bring a jumper or fleece and some long trousers as the evenings and nights can be cooler. It’s also a good idea to have warmer clothing if you are spending time in Antananarivo or planning to travel in the central highlands between April and November.
Remember you will have limited luggage weight and good quality clothing and footwear can be bought easily and cheaply in Toliara.
• Travelling shoes (i.e. sturdy shoes - especially essential for the rainy season), trainers and the sea do not mix and they will smell quite strongly after a few months!
• Light shoes / trainers for the evenings
• Sandals / flip flops (can be bought at Toliara market for about £2)
• Underwear and socks
• T-shirts (for work and play)
• Shorts / skirts (for work and play)
• Trousers (most people bring a pair of jeans)
• Long sleeve shirt and light trousers (for evenings or covering up in the day)
• Jumper or fleece (for cooler evenings)
• Light raincoat
• Hat / cap (very important in the Malagasy summer)
• Swimwear (a few sets as you may dive twice a day)
• Rash vest or light fleece to wear on the boat after dives (cooler months)
• Towels (one beach and one shower towel)
ReefDoctor provides bed sheets, a pillow and pillowcases, wool blanket(s) if required and mosquito nets (if you plan to travel independently before or after your stay with us we advise you to bring your own mosquito net as not all hotels here have them).
Other items
Malagasy electricity is 220V with European style (French) two pin plugs, although we do have UK three-pin sockets at the ReefDoctor house.
• Sunglasses
• Personal stereo / MP3 player
• Camera (and plenty of film if you need it)
• Mobile phone and charger (you can use a Malagasy SIM card if your phone is unlocked)
• Torch
• Alarm clock
• Please bring rechargeable batteries, we can charge them on site and there is no way to dispose of normal batteries safely (think about getting solar-powered or wind-up items too)
• Sun tan lotion (waterproof, factor 15+)
• After-sun and moisturiser
• Vitamins and minerals (with pro-biotic if possible)
• Toiletries (it is possible to buy most toiletries in Toliara but try to bring bio-degradable shower products)
• Solar shower bag (if you’re coming in the cooler months and have the space it does add a little bit of luxury)
• Girls - tampons or pads (feminine hygiene products are available here but you cannot always find what you want and they are only available in Toliara)
• English to French dictionary and / or English to Malagasy dictionary (see Interesting literature)
• Reading books - there is nowhere to buy English books (we have a small library and hope you’ll add to it!)
• Reference books - we recommend that you have your own copy of Coral Reef Fishes: Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean: Including the Red Sea by Ewald Lieske and Robert Myers (ISBN: 0691004811)
• Travel board games / playing cards / amusements
• Penknife
• Sewing kit
• Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper
• Money belt (crime has never been an issue in Toliara though in Tana it is recommended that you are more safety conscious)
• Cash and travellers cheques (see our Money section for more advice)
Personal medical kit
ReefDoctor has a fully stocked medical cabinet on camp however we ask that you bring with you any general medication that might normally use (painkillers etc.) and an emergency kit with sterile needles etc. for when you are travelling.
• Painkillers
• Upset stomach medicine
• Cold and flu remedies
• Rehydration sachets
• Waterproof plasters
• Girls - Thrush treatment (anti-malaria medication and the heat increases your risk)
• Any personal medication you are taking (if you are taking prescription medication ReefDoctor must be informed of the details before you leave for Madagascar)
• Surgical gloves
• Sterile syringes and needles
• Sterile dressings
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic swabs
• Antiseptic cream / liquid (iodine is best)
• Scissors and tweezers
• Safety pins
• Malaria prophylaxis (enough for the duration of your stay - see Medical advice
• Mosquito repellent (50% spray on DEET recommended especially in the months January to March)
• Afterbite
Much of this can be bought in a small travel medical kit. If you are planning to travel independently before or after your stay with us you should consider bringing additional medication and discuss what else to bring with your doctor.
