Africa - Middle East - India
Ancient Sanskrit literature used the word Ratnakara, “mine of gems,” to describe the massive body of water south of the Indian subcontinent. Although “Indian Ocean” is the common name nowadays, gems are still very much found throughout its shores.
From the coast of Cape Town in South Africa to the southeastern tip of Australia, the countries, regions, and cities that enclose the Indian Ocean form a vast, diverse, and fascinating network of cultures and landscapes. A cruise vacation or packaged tour to this region is a truly exotic journey into unfamiliar and remarkable lands.
Aden
Aden (Adan in Arabic) literally means "Paradise" and this large port city (with over half a million inhabitants) can be considered the door to the natural and cultural paradise of Yemen. This state, situated at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and officially known as the Republic of Yemen, is the only republic in the region. It borders Saudi Arabia to the north and Oman to the east, while its coasts are lapped by the Red Sea to the west and the Indian Ocean to the south. As well as the mainland territory, Yemen also comprises the Socotra Archipelago in the Indian Ocean and the Perim and Kameran islands in the Red Sea.
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Assumption Island
Assumption (Assomption) Island is a small, crescent shaped island about 4.3 square miles (11.07 sq km) in size. Considered one of the Outer Seychelles Islands, Assumption is part of the Aldabra Group, lying approximately 600 miles (960 km) southwest of Mahe, in the Indian Ocean. These outer islands are not made from granite, like their larger sisters Mahe, Praslin or La Digue, but rather are coralline formations. Once a part of the French colony Reunion, then a member of the British Indian Ocean Territories, today Assumption is governed by the Seychelles.
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Aswan
Egypt's southernmost city (population 150,000) and ancient frontier town has the loveliest setting on the Nile. At Aswan the deserts close in on the river, confining its sparkling blue between smooth amber sand and rugged extrusions of granite bedrock. Lateen-sailed feluccas glide past the ancient ruins and gargantuan rocks of Elephantine Island, palms and tropical shrubs softening the islands and embankments till intense blue skies fade into soft-focus dusks.
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Bandar Abbas
Bandar Abbas (previously called Gameron or Qamerun) city in southern Iran, capital of Hormozagan province. Bandar Abbas Port is in the middle of the Strait of Hormoz linking the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman.
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Bandar Seri Begawan
Although most people refer to it as BSB, Bandar Seri Begawan is the official name of the capital of Brunei. It is probably where you'll spend most of your time and money. You'll probably just refer to the city and its suburbs as simply Brunei or Brunei City, since the country is so small.
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Bom Bom Island
Bom Bom, which means "Good Good" in Portuguese is a tiny islet off the coast of Principe. The Bom Bom Island is joined to the mainland of Principe Island by a novel wooden walkway.
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Cape Town
Cape Town's name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. The presence of Table Mountain in all its splendour still invokes this kind of emotion. Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and other African tribes from the North, and Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers. Bustling and beautiful, the cosmopolitan nature of Cape Town means that one never tires of the multitude of experiences it has to offer.
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Cochin
Set on the Maladar coast amid small islands and narrow inlets, Cochin has a history of being a premier port along the fabled "spice route" to the East. The Portuguese, Dutch and British struggled to gain control of the city during the 400-year long colonial period, and guests see a unique mixture of architecture as they explore the sights.
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Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka's political, economic and cultural center with around one million inhabitants is the island's largest city and major port. Visiting Colombo provides some insight into what makes Sri Lanka tick. Its history goes back many centuries and relics of Portuguese, Dutch and English settlements blend with Indian influences for a unique cultural mix. The center, known as "Fort," can easily be explored on foot. Adjacent to the "Fort" spreads Colombo's bustling bazaar area, known as the Pettah.
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Curieuse
Separated from Praslin by a narrow channel, little granitic Curieuse is home to the coco-de-mer palms and is a centre of conservation.
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Desroches
This coral island stands majestically on a submerged atoll of the same name, 120 nautical miles south-west of Mahe in the Amirantes group. Desroches rises 3,000 meters out of the clear blue sea, boasting an abundant fish life and surrounded by approximately 50 nautical miles of reef to explore. The island has a coconut plantation and small agricultural settlement and enjoys a similar weather pattern as the rest of Seychelles in general, sunny all year round, with occasional warm showers.
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Antsiranana, named Diego-Suarez prior to 1975, is a city at the northern tip of Madagascar. Antsiranana is the capital of the Diana region and of the Antsiranana autonomous province.
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Djibouti
Djibouti, the former French Somaliland, is a small country sandwiched between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, with a port at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
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Doha
A rocky, low-lying desert peninsula reaching into the Gulf, Qatar is a hard-scrabble land that begs for water. But under the surface, there´s wealth aplenty in enormous oil and natural gas fields. Qatar´s rulers are the immensely powerful and numerous Al Thani family, who arrived from Central Arabia in the 1700´s.
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Durban
Tourists from all over the world have been coming to Durban for more than half a century, attracted mainly by the city’s famous beaches and the all year-round sunshine. But once they arrive here, they soon discover that this city has a lot more than beautiful, golden beaches to offer. It is a center of world class sport and hosts major international events. It is a shopper’s paradise with sophisticated shopping malls and precincts, craft markets and street bazaars. It is an entertainment and hospitality center offering a wide range of accommodation from swish beachfront hotels to themed lodges, guesthouses, self-catering apartments and homely B&Bs. It is also a bustling commercial and manufacturing center connected to the business capitals of the world, and is built around one of the busiest ports in Africa.
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East London
East London, affectionately called Buffalo City by the locals, is situated 1000 kilometers from Cape town on the South East coast of South Africa. Lying in between the Nahoon River in the north and the Buffalo river to the south it is the only river port in South Africa. The shores are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and with its sub-tropical climate is a sought after tourist destination for local South Africans and international tourist alike. East London, itself, has some 400 000 residents, the metropolitan area has 1.4 million, and is the second largest city in the province of the Eastern Cape.
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Edfu
Edfu is located up river from Kom Ombo. It is famous for the Temple of Horus. The Temple of Edfu is very dramatic. It is dedicated to Horus and was built in Greco Roman times. Horus was the god of the sky whose eyes were the sun and the moon. He became equated with the king, and therefore the King was Horus manifest.
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Farquhar
The Farquhar Atoll is part of the Farquhar Group of islands in the Seychelles that are part of the Outer Islands. The main group of islands form a long curve which describes the eastern side of the atoll. Largest of these are Ile du Nord and Ile du Sud, with the smaller Manaha islands between them. Farther south is Goelettes. To the open western side of the atoll lies the small group known as Trois Iles.
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Fort Dauphine
Fort Dauphin, or Taolanaro in the Malagasy language, is Madagascar's oldest town and a popular destination for excursions to the Berenty Reserve and the Spiny Forest. The province of the same name is located in the southeastern part of the enormous island. Tthe French established their first colony here in the 17th century, giving it the name of the Dauphin, later crowned Louis XIV of France. Built on a small peninsula, the town is bordered on three sides by beaches with a backdrop of high green mountains. It boasts a drier climate with much less rain than the rest of Madagascar, but suffers from fierce gales around the middle of the year.
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Goa
Goa is best known as a tourist paradise, both in India and abroad. Lavishly gifted by nature for its scenic beauty, virgin beaches girdling its 105-km long palm-fringed coast interspersed with enchanting coves, bays and estuaries, paddy fields, shady coconut, cashew and mango groves dotted with tiny picturesque villages, temples and churches renowned for worship and pilgrims, forts and monuments and above all, friendly and hospitable people, Goa presents an ideal tourism profile.
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Hodeidah
Hodeidah is situated on the western coast, north of the Bab-al-Mandab strait that separates Asia and Africa, or more specifically, Yemen from Djibouti, and lies on the southern Red Sea. The city grew in the 19th century under the Ottoman Empire but much of it was destroyed in 1961 by a devastating fire: from the ashes grew a new Hodeidah with a new, larger, more modern and more efficient port. In this period of growth the business world and Soviet aid played a fundamental role.
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Jeddah
Jeddah is a Saudi Arabian city located on the coast of the Red Sea is the major urban center in western Saudi Arabia, the largest in the Western Province, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city Riyadh.
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Kish Island
Located 12 miles off the southern coast of Iran, 35-square mile Kish Island enjoys a unique and strategic position in the Persian Gulf region among scores of large and small islands. This beautiful resort island, often called the gem of the Persian Gulf, is surrounded by the sheltered waters of coral-edged lagoons. Kish has attracted many travelers and writers throughout its 3,000-year history, including Marco Polo and the Greek navy commander Niarkus, who was sent on an expedition voyage into the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf by Alexander the Great.
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Kuala Lumpur
Bustling Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it's known, rose up from the forbidding jungle terrain to become one of the most fascinating architectural landscapes on earth. A blend of native Malaysian, Chinese Imperial and European influences has created a city that is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is alive with culture. Replete with fine dining, a fertile arts community and plenty of nightlife, KL has earned a reputation as a must-see world destination.
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La Digue
The peaceful seclusion, of green hills and gorgeous beaches make La Digue one of the favorite islands in the Seychelles. The estate of l´Union with its fine, old house and large granitic boulders is one of the few remaining vanilla plantations left in the islands. La Digue is also home to the paradise flycatcher, a rare species found nowhere else in the world.
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Lamu Island
Donkeys remain the main mode of transportation, and dhows are still used for transportation from island to island in the somewhat remote islands of Lamu. One of the most charming aspects of this area is its ninetenth century architecture lining winding, narrow streets. Here you will also see Arab men still wearing traditional full-length clothing and the women dressed in black, as they have for centuries.
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Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species. Species include the lemur infraorder of primates, the carnivorous fossa, three bird families and six baobab species.
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Madras (Chennai)
Chennai, one of the four major metropolitan cities of India, is the capital of the southeastern state of Tamilnadu-the exotic state famous for its cutworks in the temples, coconut fringes, and silk saris. The city of Chennai was earlier known as Madras.
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Mahe Island
Irresistible beaches and breathtaking scenery await you on Mahe, a truly unspoiled paradise. Waist away the day on a pristine, sugar-white beach; sample fresh seafood; or explore one of the rural villages that dot the island.
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Male
The pristine beaches, warm waters and near-perfect weather make Male(Maldives) a tropical retreat and an invitation for relaxation. In the island´s Islamic Center is the 17th century Hukruru Miski, the oldest Mosque in the country. Its graveyard contains the tombs of the Maldives´ former sultans.
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Mangalore
Mangalore, a beautiful scenic city with lush green surroundings add to the peaceful nature of the City. In the coastal region of the western part of the land of India is situated the harbour town of Mangalapuram, or the city of Mangalore. The eternally blessed is the land of enchantment of Sahyadri mountains, where the great sages Kanva, Vysa, Vashista, Vishwamitra and other in the Loral past spent their days of meditation. Bountiful rivers meandering down the mountains and the nature is clothed in all her lush-full greenery. Narrow winding streets, lofty coconut trees, quaint gable-roofed houses, beautiful beaches, temples and churches, the heady fragrance of the Mangalore Mallige, the aroma of spicy coconut curries, all this and more makes Mangalore a city of vivid contrasts.
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Maputo
Maputo (previously Lourenzo Marques) is the sprawling capital of Mozambique, with a population of about two million people and a large harbour. Several rivers meet the sea Maputo and two islands lie just off the coast.
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Mayotte Island
Still ruled by the French, Mayotte is the southernmost and oldest of the Comoros islands. Here you can wander through the island´s old Arab Quarter, with its maze of old buildings, curious shops and quaint cafes. And if snorkeling or diving is your thing, you will adore the island´s splendid coral reefs.
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Mina Sulman is one of the major ports in the Middle East, and home to the Royal Bahrain Naval Base. It is located in the Northeastern tip of Bahrain, just south of the capital city of Manama, the country's thriving economic center. Bahrain is a thoroughly modern and culturally diverse country, with just under 1/3 of its population hailing from abroad. It is also expected to be the future home of the world's tallest building-the 1,022-meter-tall Murjan Tower.
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Mombasa
Mombasa is the gateway to Africa. Beyond the city, along the route of the great Seregeti Plain, giant elephant herds thunder across the turf, and lions stalk through the underbrush. In the city, walk through the narrow winding streets of the Old Town.
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Moroni
Sprinkled like emeralds off the African coast, the untouristed Comoros are among the prettiest islands on earth. Sandy beaches, luxuriant foliage, picturesque towns and coral reefs - all the ingredients for bliss are here, minus the crowds. Moroni on Grand Comore offers a bit of everything.
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Mossel Bay
Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and harbour of the World Famous Garden Route. This popular holiday town is surrounded by a sunbathed peninsula and the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a busy summer destination as well as an ideal winter retreat. It is blessed with a mild climate all-year round but its most important feature is its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route. Well-traveled pleasure boats dock regularly as well as other international seafarers using the modern docking facilities. Mossel Bay is a rapidly growing tourist destination as more and more travelers are discovering the Jewel of the Cape Garden Route.
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The Portuguese dubbed this city Bom Bahia, "beautiful bay." There is much to see, including the Prince of Wales Museum and Chor Bazaar, the Bombay flea market. Take a trip to the exquisite Taj Mahal in Agra. This amazing memorial was built by Shah Jahan for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal.
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Muscat
Held by the Portuguese for almost 400 years, Muscat is built around an old Portuguese fort and the Sultan´s palace. At the ancient Muttrah souk, antiques, colorful textiles and spices are sold.
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Nosy Bé, meaning Big Island in the Malagasy language, lies just a stone's throw off Madagascar's northwest coast. It is a remote and exotic destination. With its deserted beaches, rustic hotels and unhurried pace, it attracts travelers looking for a laid-back vacation. The fertile island is the center for the production of perfume essence from the ylang-ylang trees. The heady scent of their flowers gave Nosy Bé the name "Perfumed Isle." Other local products include sugar cane, coffee, vanilla and pepper; they are grown for export in large plantations. Hellville, the island's main town and port, is situated in a sheltered bay. It is named after a former French governor, Admiral de Hell. The town features a few old colonial buildings, a busy market, some small boutiques and tourist shops along the busy main street. At the quayside, vendors display embroidered linens, wood carvings and straw articles.
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Pointe Des Galets
Pointe des Galets is a volcanic island lush with palm trees, rain forests and an abundance of flowers and tropical fruit trees. Enjoy the Creole-flavored French culture and the sophistication of downtown Paris in a tropical climate. Hike through the challenging volcanic mountains and enjoy the panoramic views of the rainforest from scenie vistas.
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Located in the extreme west of India, Porbandar is an important all-weather port on the Arabian sea. It is perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama
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Port Blair
Port Blair is the largest town and a municipal council in Andamans district in the Andaman Islands and the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India. It lies on the east coast of South Andaman Island and is the main entry point to the islands.
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Port Elizabeth
The largest city in the Eastern Cape and one of South Africa's best-kept secrets, Port Elizabeth has an endless coast of fabulous beaches and the city's architecture reflects its colonial past. Port Elizabeth is a great base for day trips to Addo Elephant National Park, Port Alfred, Jeffrey's Bay or Grahamstown. Within the city limits are lovely walks, mountain-bike trails, good surfing and sailing, great diving as well as excellent golf courses.
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Port Louis
Mauritius is situated in the south-west of the Indian Ocean about 800 km east of Madagascar. Together with Runion and Rodrigues it belongs to the Mascarene Islands. The island is of volcanic origin and mostly surrounded by coral-reefs. The national territory of Mauritius surrounds the islands Rodrigues, St. Brandon, Agalega-Islands and several smaller islands near the coast of Mauritius.
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Port Qaboos
Discover this historic old city reflecting the myriad cultures that have melded to create its unique ambiance. Admire the colorful Sultan's palace, forts and museums, stroll through the markets and narrow alleys, and browse in the bustling souks. Or head out along the scenic Batinah coat and enjoy the desert, the oases, fishing villages and the historic medieval Nakhl Fort. Then spend time at a glorious beach resort.
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Praslin Island
Praslin Island is not a place where people are particularly inclined to be motivated to go indoors. Instead, travelers spending time at Praslin Island want to be out enjoying the beaches and the lush vegetation of the nature surrounding the area. It is a romantic spot where relaxing days are capped off with enjoyable evenings.
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Richard's Bay
Situated on KwaZulu-Natal's fertile south coast, Richards Bay started out as a holiday town and has developed into a major port. It is situated on a lagoon in the Mhathuze river and its potential as a great natural harbour were confirmed in 1897 after a detailed survey was carried out. Originally, the lagoon provided a home for a vast population of aquatic birds, attracted to the area by a rich supply of fish. Crocodiles, sharks and hippos frequented the lagoon, as did hunters and fisherman in search of trophies.
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Silhouette Island
This striking 63 million year old granitic island is the third largest in the Seychelles and one where the original nature of the area is best preserved. Silhouette Island is a sunken remnant of the mountains of a former ancient continent, Gondwana. Today, you can only reach Silhouette by ship or helicopter, and there are no roads or motorized vehicles of which to speak.
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Sokhna
Like Port Said, Port Sokhna is your key to Cairo. Nowhere on earth launches an all-out assault on the senses quite like Cairo. It's big, it's bustling and it's filled to bursting with age-old treasures from the times of the pharaohs. Prepare to be caught up in an exotic whirlwind of sights, sounds and all-round chaos.
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St Helena
St. Helena is an isolated subtropical island which became known as Napoleon's place of exile following his ultimate defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The British have governed this island for over 300 years and have exerted a strong influence in traditions and language. The island's 47 square miles encompass an edless variety of scenery, from pastures to plantations, from jagged volcanic upheavals to quiet plains. Jamestown, with its backdrop of rugged mountains is the island's capital.
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St. Denis
Saint-Denis (or unofficially Saint-Denis de la Reunion for disambiguation) is the prefecture (administrative capital) of the French overseas region and overseas departement of Reunion, in the Indian Ocean. Saint-Denis is also the biggest town on the island, with several suburbs sprawling up the nearby mountain.
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Takoradi
Takoradi is the capital of the Western Region of Ghana. It is Ghana's third largest city and an industrial and commercial center.
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Tamatave
Toamasina, often known as Tamatave, is a city in Madagascar. It is the chief seaport of Madagascar, situated nearly on the centre of the eastern coast. It owes its importance to the existence of a coral reef, which forms a spacious and fairly commodious harbour, entered by two openings. The town is built on a sandy peninsula which projects at right angles from the general coast-line. On this are crowded together a considerable number of houses, with good shops and merchants offices in the main thoroughfares.
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Tema is Ghana's major port and your gateway to Accra, the nation's capital. Europeans descended on Ghana in the 15th century in search of gold. The wealth of the slave trade led them to stay, erecting forts along the Gulf of Guinea and naming the region "The Gold Coast." Today, Ghana is a fascinating destination, and one of the most densely populated countries in West Africa, with a population of approximately 20 million.
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Toamasina
Like most of Madagascar's east coast ports, Toamasina, also known as Tamatave, began as a pirate community. Today the town of about 70,000 is home to the country's largest port. Its once-fine colonial houses lend Toamasina a somewhat shabby elegance. It is a busy place with sailors and tourists, offering a variety of bars, restaurants and hotels. Most visitors spend only a day or two in town as the attractions are really found outside in the country.
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Tulear
Tulear, although a dilapidated, dusty and seemingly drab settlement, is intriguing. The people of the dry south or androy differ from all other Malagasy in that they do not cultivate rice. Instead, they plant meagre crops of melons, maize, cassava and millet. For a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these people, try to visit the little cultural museum run by the University of Tulear. Here you can see rare artifacts, like rather grizzly black magic fetishes used by the Mikea; masks with real human teeth and hair; erotic carvings of the Menabe Sakalava and tomb replicas.
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Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam is a coastal, port city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located on the eastern shore of India, nestled among the hills of the Eastern Ghats and facing the Bay of Bengal to the east. The city is home to several state owned heavy industries, one of the most advanced steel plants and has one of the country's largest ports and its oldest shipyard. It has the only natural harbour on the eastern coast of India.
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Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay, well known for its fishing industry, lies on the west coast of Africa, in Namibia. The lagune has prolific birdlife, a desert golf course and very nice hotels. B&B's right next to the lagune are also recommended.
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