The history of the Masoala peninsula and the Antongil Bay is extremely rich. The time prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in 1500 is known only in legend. During the 17^th century, the Dutch dominated European presence in the region. The Dutch installed a base on Nosy Mangabe that facilitated the export of slaves to their colonies in Indonesia and South Africa.

 The town of Maroantsetra was initially known as “Port Boynes,” then Ambatomasina, “sacred rock,” and finally Maroantsetra (maro = many, ansetry = spears, darts, or arrows). This name is thought to come from the local historical practice of planting spears or arrows along the river to ward off invaders.

 There are several legends concerning the origin of the name Antalaha. One legend says that two Muslim brothers from the Comoros islands settled near what became the modern town. When one of the brothers was preparing to leave for another place, he told the other that he would leave him “antalaha,” or a “place of Allah.”