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Voykit pocket guide · Madagascar
Anakao
Spend 2–3 days in Anakao for beach, diving and surf; arrive from Toliara by boat, stay at the 4‑star Ocean Lodge.
Anakao is a tiny Vezo fishing village on Madagascar's southwest coast. The long white beach supports fishing, diving and surfing. The settlement is isolated, with limited services, so a short stay of 2–3 days lets you enjoy the water activities and relax at the only 4‑star resort, Anakao Ocean Lodge.
- Country
- Madagascar
- Best months
- Apr–Nov (dry season, calmer seas)
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (cyclone risk)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MGA
- Money
- Currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA). Cash is the norm outside larger hotels; ATMs exist in towns but not in national parks or on long road stretches.
- Daily spend
- Budget ≈ MGA 30,000–45,000 excl. lodge · Mid ≈ MGA 45,000–80,000 excl. lodge (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telma, Orange and Airtel (Yas) sell SIMs at Ivato and in towns with passport registration; data bundles are cheap.
- Emergency
- Police 117 · Fire 118 · Medical 124
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 220 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin plugs; power cuts (délestage) are common in Tana — bring a power bank.
- Tipping
- Park guide: 10–20% of the guide fee, or €5–10 a walk.; Driver for a week-plus: €5–10 a day at the end.; Restaurant: Round up or 5–10%.; Porters: 2,000–5,000 ariary a bag.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles or use a filter.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels; long-drop or squat toilets at many park gates and roadside stops. Carry paper.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at lodge restaurant (fish or chicken) | MGA 12,000–20,000 |
| Surfboard rental (half‑day) | MGA 5,000–8,000 |
| Diving trip (2 dives) | MGA 70,000–120,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TLE · Toliara Airport
- Nearest airport, at Toliara; onward to Anakao by morning boat, about 1 h each way (check).
Typical fares
- Boat Toliara → Anakao (one way)
- ≈ MGA 50,000 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Boat from Toliara is the main link; within Anakao walk or hire a local pirogue for surf spots. No public transport.
See and do
Known for
- white beach
- surfing
- diving
- Vezo fishing culture
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Toliara | Morning boat from Anakao, about 1 h each way | ≈ 2 h round‑trip |
Sleep
- Anakao Ocean Lodge
- Only 4‑star resort in the area; beachfront, offers rooms and bungalows.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Excuse me | Salamasah‑lah‑mah |
| How much? | Ohatrinona?oo‑ah‑tree‑no‑na |
| I would like water | Te hanome rano ahotay ha‑no‑meh rah‑no ah‑hoo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake with a smile; 'salama' first; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Fady: Ask your guide what is taboo in each place; avoid: Pointing at tombs with a finger — use a bent finger
- Villages: Greet the chief or elder with your guide; avoid: Walking into tombs and sacred groves
- Gifts: Support schools through registered projects; avoid: Handing sweets or pens to children
- Bargaining: Smile and settle fairly; avoid: Hard haggling over tiny sums
Scams and watch-outs
- No ATMs – bring cash for all expenses.
- Drinking water scarce – buy bottled water.
- Limited medical facilities – carry basic first‑aid.
Generally safe for tourists; stay in groups for night walks, keep valuables locked, and avoid swimming during strong currents.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Anakao yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- white beach
- surfing
- diving
- Vezo fishing culture
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Anakao, revision 4992651 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4992651
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/anakao). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.