Anakao is a magical destination, located along the southwestern coast of Madagascar. It is a small fishing village that boasts of stunning white sand beaches and enchanting blue waters. Anakao also has good accommodations to choose from and serves excellent native seafood cuisine.
Getting Here
The village can be accessed by an hour long boat ride from the coastal city of Tulear (Toliara). You can reach Tulear by air from Antananavrio, the country’s capital. Though there are roads that lead to the village, they are very poor and not paved well. Due to this, the village has remained out of the radar of mainstream tourism, and greatly retained its authentic climate.
Village
The Anakao village is home to the Vezo people, an indigenous coastal tribe belonging to the country’s southern part. As you stroll along the shore, you can watch them busy with their fishing nets, canoes and catch. In the morning, you can see the waters dotted with tiny canoes and their sails flapping in the wind as the fishermen set out to sea. And of course, Anakao being a fishing village, you can prepare yourself to taste some of the country’s best seafood!
An interesting site near the village is where you will find huge ancient tombs which are adorned with horns of animals. And as you move further away from the village, you will come across densely vegetated areas where you can spot various species of lemurs and lizards. There is also a mangrove swamp nearby, which is a great spot to watch water birds like flamingos and plovers.
Activities
The stunning bays around the village are home to rich corals teeming with marine life. Along its coast runs the Great Reef, the fifth largest reef in the world and there are splendid dive sites from where you can explore its wonders. There are numerous species of tropical fish and rays, which are a delight to encounter in the crystal clear waters. You can be sure to enjoy amazing snorkelling, surfing and diving experiences here. The lack of big tourist crowds will also give you the advantage of having the waters largely to yourself. From July to September, it is also possible to watch humpback whales on their annual migration.
Beaches and Islands
The beaches of Anakao are a dream come true for any beach lover and will awe every visitor. The lovely colours of the waters and the shore combine to create a surreal landscape, that will make you never want to leave.
You can also visit the small uninhabited islands of Nosy Ve and Nosy Satrana, which are located just off the coast of Anakao. These islands boast of deserted beautiful beaches and are also home to a large number of tropical birds.
Why should you visit?
Anakao is the perfect beach getaway for those who actually want to get away from the crowds and relax in paradise-like beaches and soak in the serenity and beauty of the place. The off-beat vibe of the village and its stunning surroundings are what brings people here, in spite of being difficult to access. It is truly a rewarding and memorable experience!
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