We escaped the crowds and headed to Anakao, a tranquil and remote Vezo fishing village on Madagascar’s southwest coast. Known for its white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and exceptional diving and snorkelling—especially around the nearby Nosy Ve islet—it’s also a low-key spot for surfing. With its simple beachfront bungalows, fresh seafood, and vibrant local culture, Anakao feels like a true “Robinson Crusoe” escape.
Getting there is part of the adventure. The overland route from Toliara (Tulear) takes a full day—around 270 kilometres and up to eight hours—so we opted for a faster (and far more scenic) alternative: a 1.5-hour speedboat ride (35 km) with Anakao Express (150,000 MGA return). Along the way, we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn near the Sarodrano pass.
In Toliara, the journey began memorably—we reached the boat by zebu cart, rolling across vast tidal mudflats where the shallow waters prevent larger vessels from coming ashore.
