Anakao

Vezo fishing village on Madagascar's southwest coast, facing a reef-protected turquoise lagoon

Anakao is a small Vezo fishing village on Madagascar's southwest coast, about 45 kilometres south of Toliara. It sits on a long white sand beach facing a turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef — one of the most beautiful stretches of coast on the island.

The village is a base for visiting Nosy Ve, a tiny offshore island where red-tailed tropicbirds nest and the snorkelling over the reef is excellent. Between July and September, humpback whales pass close to shore on their annual migration, and pirogue trips to see them are easily arranged. The Vezo fishing community itself is fascinating — watch the outrigger pirogues come in with the morning catch and buy seafood directly on the beach.

Getting here is part of the adventure. The most common route from Toliara involves a bus south, a boat crossing, and a truck ride along the coast. The whole journey can be organised in Toliara. Accommodation is simple — a handful of beachside bungalow operations, some with solar power, none with pretensions beyond fresh fish and cold beer.

Guide

Getting There

Anakao has no road connection — access is by boat or light aircraft. From Toliara, the standard route involves a bus south to a coastal landing point, followed by a pirogue crossing and a truck or 4WD ride along the coast. The whole journey takes several hours and can be organised through guesthouses in Toliara. Some operators run direct motorboat transfers, which cut the journey to about 90 minutes.

A small airstrip near Anakao handles light aircraft charters from Toliara; this is the quickest option if you are short on time. The adventure of arriving overland is part of the experience for most visitors — it filters out anyone unwilling to commit to the journey, which keeps Anakao quieter than it might otherwise be.

Guide

Things to Do

Anakao's pleasures are almost entirely natural: snorkelling and diving on the coral reef, boat trips to Nosy Ve, watching the Vezo fishermen work, and between July and September, whale watching as humpbacks pass the coast on migration. Life here is unhurried and the infrastructure is minimal, which is precisely the appeal.