Ifaty is the easiest beach-and-reef escape north of Toliara, a loose coastal area where fishing villages, guesthouses, and dive outfits face the Mozambique Channel. It is more developed than Anakao but much simpler to reach.
Use it for snorkelling, diving, reef walks with local guides, and lazy afternoons after a dusty RN7 journey. The reef is fragile and tides matter, so choose operators carefully and avoid walking on living coral.