Bay of Tolanaro

The Bay of Tolanaro lies on Madagascar's southeastern coast, beside the promontory of Fort Dauphin. Here the sea meets the country of the Antanosy, whose communities occupied the fertile lands inland. The bay brought ships to a coast situated along the sea routes of the Indian Ocean. The surrounding coast is marked by sandy stretches and river mouths.

In 1643 Jacques Pronis established a French post at Fort Dauphin, named for the future Louis XIV. The settlement depended on local supplies and became embroiled in conflicts with its Antanosy neighbours. Disease, hunger and violence took a heavy toll, and after an attack in 1674 the surviving French abandoned the fort and sailed away. Their departure ended a precarious colonial venture on the bay.