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.