About MadagasCat Charters Crew

Our Malagasy crews speak good English, French and Malagasy and are, in our opinion, the best available.

Crew Gecko:

Albert, our skipper, has 20 years experience in charter boats. He has travelled on yachts from Madagascar to the Seychelles, Maldives, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Borneo. He describes himself as a man of the sea, not completely happy on the land. Your enjoyment and safety are his prime concern and we can assure you of both.

Guy, our cook  has years of experience in the catering industry in Nosy Be. He was one of the original cooks on charter boats and his food and incredible presentation is a treat in store. He will serve you a delightful mix of French and traditional Malagasy food. You can expect (in season) prawns, crab, calamari, carpaccio, crayfish, sushi and much, much more on the menu.  Each meal is a revelation.

Jassmain, our first mate  is the only member of the crew who does not speak much English. However, he is learning fast, and his huge smile and determination to help, make up for any loss of communication.

Crew Explorer:

Bert Spalding, the skipper, was born and raised on the Transkei Wild Coast in South Africa. He first started sailing in 1994 when he worked his way around the world on a concrete yacht called 'Dreamer'. She (and Bert) arrived back in Richards Bay, South Africa in 2001 when he obtained his skippers licence.  He sailed several boats to Madagascar and Mozambique before settling permanently in Nosy Be in 2003.  He and a friend set up a charter company with a dhow and started the "camp on the beach" trips.

After five years of this Bert needed a change and was introduced to the owner of 'Explorer'. It was not long before a deal was struck and 'Explorer' was sent to Bert in Nosy Be. Bert has not looked back.

Frederic,the first mate and cook met Bert in 2003. Bert was sailing a yacht back to South Africa and needed crew. They hit two cyclones on route and after days holed up for shelter became firm friends. When the cook jumped ship Frederic announced he would take over. Bert had no idea of his hidden talents which are now well known and appreciated.

Hassan, debatedly the most important member of crew. He is the barman and deckhand. A tall, handsome and gentle giant he is also a good friend of Frederic. He joined the team in 2006 when an extra hand was needed. Once on 'Explorer' Hassan was shown how to work a blender. Since then his "Tropical Island Rhum Cocktails" are fast becoming famous.

Management: Mike and Hat Joao visited Madagascar and Nosy Be in 2006 and spent 6 wonderful days on board a catamaran. Within the year we returned a further four times chartering a different boat. Each time we fell in love further with Madagascar and her people.Seeing a gap in the charter market and coming across Gecko by chance in Cape Town we put the two together, recruited a great crew, kitted Gecko out with everything we, as clients, either missed or enjoyed and set sail for Nosy Be. From this charter business grew a Travel Advisory and MadagasCaT Charters & Travel was created.  Visit our sister site at Madagascat.co.za

We are passionate about travel, other people's dreams and most of all Madagascar. We would be privileged if you would give us the opportunity to share all of this with you and yours.
Click on crew thumbnails to see enlargements

MadagasKids: We take so much enjoyment from Madagascar and her people that we would like to give something back, or as it is known, to "travel responsibly".  There is a small boat building village called Baramahamay, on the way to the Radamas,and in this village is a little school consisting of two classrooms. One classroom is the high school and the other the primary school.  They are many miles from any form of civilisation and as such do not attract attention from wealthy, foreign benefactors.  The staff, crew and clients of MadagasCat Charters have taken it upon themselves to support this school. If you become a client of Gecko’s we would welcome any school type things such as exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, chalk etc which are invaluable to this school. Gecko will drop them with the teacher when she passes through.

MadagasCat Facebook Supporter's Club
The crew of Gecko would be thrilled for you to join our Supporter's Club, add your photos, share your stories, etc.

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