Since 2017, a relatively unknown Islamic group has staged a destabilising insurgency against the Mozambican government forces and the local population in the predominantly Muslim northern province of Cabo Delgado. Off the provincial coast, huge gas extraction projects have been launched in a bid to revitalise the national economy, crippled by external debt. So far, the army has proved relatively ineffective in dealing with the insurgency. The government has asked external partners for support, including in training and logistics.​
The coast of Cabo Delgado Province should be avoided and yachts in transit should stand well offshore.
The S Equatorial Current flows east\west along +-6S -14 S and hits Mada at +-12S and splits into two – a north bound section going around Cap D’Ambre and the south bound section running down the east coast and passing around the bottom. A portion from the north and south bound sections curve around the landmass and converge at Cap St Andre 16S on the Mada west coast.
​Chagos to Cap D’Ambre 1400nm bearing 253T.
During the SE monsoon from end April to end Oct\Nov each year the wind is consistent S\SSE\SE 25-35 kts with occasional short spells of 20kts. In addition the Equatorial Current coming from Australia hits the coast line at +-12-13S and splits with the northern section flowing at 1.5 – 2kts. To complicate matters even more the dominant swell is from between 160T to 180T 4-6m @8-10seconds setting up rough and turbulent seas in the compression zone.
Compression zone between 9S 46E - 7S 50E - 12S 55E - 14S 50E.
Yachts who have attempted the direct route from Chagos on 253T have run out of wind on the approach to the Mascarene Bank and then had a hard drive from 55E across the compression zone. Very few made the direct crossing of this area and those who did had to detour further NW and wound up close to Aldabra Island, some with damage.
This option is only for the foolhardy and bold.
Cap D’Ambre needs to be approached with wind, swell and current behind you so the tried and tested tactic is to head for 12S 61E (12S Gap) and from there stay below 12 30S min until you encounter the compression zone from +- 50-52E. From there you turn on a more N heading sailing for comfort and safety and aim for a waypoint +-30nm off shore and +- 50nm from the top.
This puts you into the compression zone but the current flattens out the swell as you get closer to the coast and reduces the sea state as you round the top.
SEYCHELLES TO MADAGASCAR
Victoria to Cap D’Ambre 570nm bearing 219T
This section of your cruise will be the most challenging before you reach the Mozambique Channel proper below 16S.
The SE trade from end Mar\April blows onto the east coast of Mada.
Due to the mountainous ridge running up Madagascar closer to the east coast the west coast is pretty arid and dry with very little influence from the SE trade wind. 
However the east coast bears the brunt of this wind and it is common to hear that the east coast has two seasons – the rain season and the wet season with constant onshore moist wind. The mountains cause uplift and pretty constant rain throughout the year.
The area above Diego Suarez +- 12S is no exception except the wind has an escape around the top and as a result from April to end Oct you will have consistent SSE\SE25-30+ with the odd period of calm in between with SE20+!
This compression zone extends to the NE and NW of Cap D’Ambre in the area bounded by 9S 46E - 7S 50E - 12S 55E - 14S 50E.
This consistent wind is compounded by the swell angle which is dominant from 160T and invariable runs at 6-8 seconds. In addition you have the Equatorial Current coming from Australia hitting the coast south of Diego Suarez and splitting into two. The north flowing section can run anything from 2-4 kts depending on the wind.
This time of year (April to Oct) the SE trade extends up to the Seychelles but obviously reduces in strength as it gets further north. On average you can expect SE10-15 in Seychelles on departure and progressively increasing as you get closer to the compression zone.
Picking the right gap south is in the realms of “black art” but over the past 5 years have had some success but the majority of yachts have had to detour quite a bit to the west due to the harsh conditions. It is not uncommon to have a f\cast from 3 different models of 25+ and the yachts experience 35-40 in gusts. This is due to systems to the SE of the compression zone driving ridges of increased pressure in a NW direction and are totally unpredictable.
The one advantage is that the further west you deviate from the rumb line the more the wind and effect of swell and current diminishes but adds extra time and mileage to the trip.
It can be argued that with the Covid ”crises” there is no burning need to get to Mada and makes the determination to round Cap D’Ambre a dubious proposition.
Ensure you are adequately provisioned.
Do not underestimate the challenges of this short trip south and consider whether the potential pleasures of the Seychelles are worth it. My personal experience is that Mayotte (1st world – French) 200nm west of Cap D Ambre is a better proposition.  
MADAGASCAR ANCHORAGES
These are anchorages which we have personally visited over 12 yrs and coords are off Google Earth and are APPROXIMATES - beware of chart errors. They are our recollection of the most sheltered and peaceful but is by no means definitive as many bays and coves we never visited due to time constraints.
WEATHER
North of the Mitsios from mid June the SE trade wraps around the top and blows pretty consistently NE\E15+ during the day and at night calms down a bit but from the SW. From there south daily onshore \off shore conditions prevail and seldom gets above W15 kts by sun down. The only exception being from Nosy Saba south to past Mahajunga where during the day you will experience katabatic SE 25-30 kts winds coming off the land which persist up to sundown when it becomes dead calm. So stick close in to the coast max 5 nm off shore in the lee of the land.
FROM THE NORTH
The entire NW coast from Cap D ‘Ambre down to Cap St Sebastian is a declared nature conservation area and officials will collect fees from you whilst anchored. However if you stay overnight and keep moving south you could get away with no payment as they will have to catch up with you. Cost +-$20 per person \day. Yachts have been boarded with fire arms and threats if you refuse to pay up so rather go further south below Cap St Sebastian
NW ENTRANCE after rounding Cap D’Ambre  12 06.629S   49 01.504E
You can cut in before Nosy Hao but shallow and the charts are useless. A catamaran ran aground and was lost in 2008 so attempt this area at your peril.
NOSY HAO  12 07.041S  49 02.521E
NOSY HARA  12 14.546S 49 00.418E west coast
              12 13.759S 49 01.066E north 
CATHEDRAL  12 15.576S  48 58.203E
Deserted 
COURRIER BAY  12 15.783S 49 06.361
Small community
AMBARO BAY   12 26.542S 48 46.643E
Well protected
MITSIOS  Maribe Bay  12 54.318S  48 34.679E
           Ankerea     12 50.753S  48 34.667E
Breeding ground for Manta rays – tame enough to swim with
TSARA BAJINA 13 01.561S  48 32.583E
Anchorage far out and bad holding – very up market lodge but not welcoming to yachties
SAKATIA LODGE 13 18.925S 48 09.593E 
Very yachtie friendly – best diving operation
CRATER BAY  13 23.938S   48 13.035E
Bad holding – rudimentary yacht club and pub frequented by expats who are more interested in the local young ladies – a cesspit of thieves. Close to Ambatoleuke the local center of restaurants \night clubs etc
HELLVILLE  13 24.360S  48 16.978E
The only boat boy to trust is Jimmy tel no 032 847 9237 (int dial code +261 and drop the 0. Email address jimymaharofo@gmail.com. I will send a photograph on request so you can recognize him and not get caught by some of the thieves operating there.
TANY KELI   13 29.050S 48 14.266E
Nature conservation area – no over night anchoring –main snorkel venue for fly in tourists – crowded and noisy
KOMBA  13 26.549S  48 21.023E
Popular tourist spot – hand crafts etc Best Restaurant Yolandes’ on the beach just south of the big rock Visit Lemur park
NOSY MAMOKO  13 43.265S  48 11.254E
Our favorite –calm and peaceful – small village with tame Lemurs
KISIMANI   13 34.745S  48 05.604E
Tricky entrance – visibility bad – lots of mosquitoes
RUSSIAN BAY  13 32.097S  47 59.869E
Great spot – good shelter
NOSY IRANJA 13 35.360S  47 48.569E
               13 36.418S  47 49.738E
Up market lodge on southern island – not very welcoming but will sell you cold beer at $5+!
BARAMAHAMAY RIVER (Honey River)  13 42.692S  47 53.773E
Great place – cheap wild honey –shallow bar max 2.5 m at low tide – favor north bank.
KALAKAJORO  13 56.891S 47 46.741E
Nothing special – used to have a Lemur rehab center.
ANTANY MORA  14 06.559S 47 45.625E
Pretty with good visibility
SABA   14 21.731S  47 39.106E
Pretty with up market lodge and air strip and no customers !
NOSY LAVA  14 32.155S 47 36.523E
Avoid at all cost – used to be main prison island for Mada - Yacht hi jacked and owners murdered late 90’s 
MORAMBA BAY  14 53.320S  47 20.384E Calm weather
                  14 54.234S  47 19.888E SE wind protection
Great place with plenty Sofaka Lemurs (look like panda bears) Not to be missed!
MAHAJUNGA   15 43.641S   46 18.959E
Avoid unless you have to check out with immigration. Beware wind against tide conditions and very soft holding(silt)
KATSEPE  15 45.993S  46 14.561E
Provisions etc – preferable to Mahajunga
BALY BAY  16 03.326S  45 17.923E Night time
             16 00.952S  45 21.372E Daytime
Best place to wait for a weather gap over channel to Mozambique – cell phone and internet coverage from Soalala – basic provisions - water from prawn packaging plant.
Most cruising guides show the island anchorages south of Kalakajoro on the east side BUT the early off shore breeze and katabatic SE wind starts at 0300LT so you could get caught on a lee shore. 
REMEDY Wait for on shore to die down and anchor on NW side of island in preparation for the off shore or anchor on the mainland coast in 10m. Once the onshore dies down it is flat calm. Anchoring on the coast is a common practice - we anchored off Mahajunga once 5nm off shore in 8m