Eric, F6ICX will be active again as 5R8IC from Sainte Marie Island, IOTA AF - 090, Madagascar, during October - December 2025.
He will operate on 40 - 10m, mostly CW and QO - 100 satellite amd some FT8.
Recent DX Spots 5R8IC
QSL via home call.
Ads for direct QSL:
ADNIN ERIC, 56, grande rue, Chauffry 77169, France.
Nosy Be Island
The magical island of Nosy Be is located in the Indian Ocean and is one of the provinces of Madagascar. Its beautiful nature, tropical climate, and rich pirate history have made this small island quite popular among tourists from all over the world.
Pirate state and untold treasures
The pirate past is the highlight of Nosy Be and an additional magnet for tourists. It is worth noting that the island was not just one of the many hideouts of buccaneers, but practically the main base of pirates in the Indian Ocean.
This is primarily due to the island's advantageous location at the intersection of major trade routes with Africa and India. In addition, the island has convenient bays and good visibility, which made it easy to defend.
The pirate community ruled Nosy Be during the 17th and 18th centuries. This is evidenced by the large number of shipwrecks of merchant, pirate, and military vessels lying in the coastal waters. Rumor has it that one of the sunken ships is the “Fire Dragon,” which was considered a real disaster among sailors in the Indian Ocean.
Now it is no longer possible to simply restore history, but it is claimed that the island was visited by many famous pirates. Among them were William Kidd, Edward Teach, and Olivier Levasseur, who, according to rumors, buried the largest treasure in the history of piracy on Nusa Buraha.
Sainte Marie Island. 5R8IC. QSL.
The three names of Nusi-Buraha
The island of Nusi-Buraha has several names, some of which originated from island legends. For example, one of the names, Nusi-Ibrahim, is associated with the legend of a man named Abraham (Ibrahim) who was saved from the global flood on Nusi-Buraha.
After being shipwrecked, the man reached the shore riding a dolphin, where he was met by the unwelcoming female inhabitants of the island. They decided to kill the man, but one of the women took pity on the stranger and hid him in her home.
The same legend gave Nosy Be another name — Island of Women. The reason for this name is quite simple and is connected with the matriarchy that prevailed in this corner of the earth, some features of which are still alive here today.
The third name of the Madagascan island is Sainte Marie. Until 1977, Nosy Be was a British colony, which determined its English name. During British rule, the island of Sainte Marie served as a prison, similar to Sakhalin in the USSR.
Sainte-Marie Island, Madagascar. 5R8IE QSL Card.
Architectural monuments
Undoubtedly, the main attraction of Nusi-Buraha is the pirate cemetery, which has been fairly well preserved to this day.
The stone gravestones bear the names and dates of death, as well as posthumous inscriptions dedicated to the deceased by the buccaneers. To reach the pirate graves, you will have to walk along a narrow stone dam or take a boat at high tide.
Other architectural monuments include a lighthouse that replaced an older structure from 1465 and a granite fort remaining from the defensive structures of the French and English colonizers. In addition, the island has an ancient Catholic church and the ruined castle of Casa del Almeranta.
Fragrant island
The nature of Nusa Buraha is conducive to relaxation, sunbathing, and swimming in the ocean. Kilometers of sandy beaches stretch along the coast, hiding many cozy bays and beautiful turquoise lagoons.
In the interior of the island, chocolate and vanilla trees, coconut palms, and a huge number of orchids grow. The air is constantly filled with the scents of flowers, coffee, cocoa, and cloves, which is why Saint-Marie is also called the “fragrant island.”
The fauna of Nosi-Bora is as diverse as the island's flora. The forests are home to a large number of birds, lizards, and lemurs, while the coast is inhabited by many sea turtles. The locals take special care to protect the turtle nests so that they can show them to tourists. For a separate fee, you can rent a cottage in the protected area, where you can observe the animals' behavior up close.
July and August traditionally attract lovers of unusual sights to the island. At this time, humpback whales perform their mating rituals in the strait between Madagascar and Nosy Be. Special tours are organized for visitors to see these giants in all their glory.
Favorite places for divers
The coral reef located near the island simply could not fail to attract the attention of divers. Among the most popular places for scuba diving are Suanambo Reef, composed of black corals, and Pagoda, where you can encounter stingrays, moray eels, lobsters, and other ocean dwellers.
The “Groupers Wall,” which allows divers to dive to a depth of 42 meters, also deserves attention.
The island's pirate past has also left divers with many fascinating sites. The most interesting and well-preserved are the 55-meter ship “Cocoterae” and the 8-meter boat “Leopard.”
