Pirates Cemetery

Pirates Cemetery is a burial ground on a hilltop overlooking the Indian Ocean on Nosy Boraha island, containing roughly 30 weathered tombstones from the 17th and 18th centuries. The stones are scattered across the grounds and display varying degrees of wear from time and the tropical climate.

Nosy Boraha became an important harbor and refuge during the 17th and early 18th centuries for seafaring people and those engaged in maritime trades. The cemetery preserves the graves of those who died and were buried at this remote location.

The tombstones display maritime symbols like skull and crossbones, reflecting how seafaring communities honored their dead during the colonial era. These carvings tell the story of an island that served as a refuge for ocean-going people.

The cemetery is accessible through a marked path starting from the quay wall south of Ambodifotatra and is open daily to visitors. Wear sturdy shoes since the walk involves uneven ground and variable terrain.

Some graves are associated with unusual burial stories, such as a captain said to be buried standing upright. These local tales give the place a human quality that goes beyond what the stones alone can tell.