Where it is
Toamasina sits on the east coast, about an hour's flight from the capital Antananarivo, or eight hours by road. Direct flights from Réunion connect on to Paris.
Life in Toamasina
The east coast of Madagascar.
Toamasina — also called Tamatave — is the second city of Madagascar and its largest port. A walkable seafront, palm-lined boulevards, a long-standing international community, and weekends that genuinely feel like a holiday.
Climate
Tropical and warm year-round, with a wet season from December to March and a long dry, breezy season from April to October. The Indian Ocean is at the end of the road.
Community
Long-established expatriate and Malagasy professional community — port and shipping, NGOs, mining, churches, a French Alliance Française, and several international restaurants.
Day to day
Cost of living, honestly.
A King's teacher salary lives well in Toamasina. Eating out is cheap, fresh produce is excellent, and the school provides housing and utilities. You will save more here than you would in most places.
| Item | Indicative |
|---|---|
| Hot lunch at a popular local restaurant | 10,000 – 25,000 MGA |
| Coffee and pastry | 5,000 – 12,000 MGA |
| Weekly food shop (single person) | 150,000 – 250,000 MGA |
| Tuk-tuk across town | 2,000 – 5,000 MGA |
| Yoga or fitness class | 20,000 – 40,000 MGA |
| Weekend at a beach lodge nearby | From 250,000 MGA / night |
Figures indicative, in MGA. £1 ≈ 5,700 MGA at the time of writing.
Honest answers
The questions teachers actually ask.
What about healthcare?
We provide international health insurance with medevac cover. There is a good private clinic in Toamasina for routine care; serious cases are handled in Antananarivo, Réunion, or Nairobi.
Can I bring my partner / family?
Yes. We help with partner visas where we can. Up to two of your own school-age children attend King's free of tuition.
Internet and connectivity?
Decent fibre is available in most parts of the city now. Streaming and video calls work fine. Power cuts happen but most homes have inverters or generators.
Do I need French or Malagasy?
No. Your day-to-day at school is in English. French is widely spoken in town and helpful for shopping and admin; we run free informal classes for staff who want to pick it up.
Is it safe?
Toamasina is generally safe and walkable. Standard sensible precautions apply: don't flash valuables, take a tuk-tuk after dark, get to know your neighbourhood. Most teachers find life here calmer and friendlier than the cities they came from.
What's the social scene?
Beach weekends, dinner at someone's house, the Alliance Française, occasional live music. Quieter than a capital city — but you make real friends.
Tempted?
See current vacancies, or just write to us.
We're happy to have an informal conversation with any qualified teacher curious about Madagascar — even if you're still a year or two from making the move.