Superb reefs and golden sands

Go snorkelling and whale watching, see the baobabs in Reniala Forest, or head out with the local fisherman for a taste of local life.

The beaches of southwest Madagascar offer something different – a raw, unpolished stretch of coastline where life moves to the rhythm of the tides and traditional fishing pirogues still dot the horizon. This is a region for travellers who value space, scenery, and a slower, more grounded kind of escape.

The coastline around Ifaty, Anakao, and Ambatomilo is dry and sunny for most of the year, with turquoise shallows, long stretches of pale sand, and a dry hinterland dotted with spiny forest and towering baobabs. The sea is calm and shallow, protected by an offshore reef that makes it ideal for snorkelling, diving, and sailing. Inland, there’s the chance to explore the extraordinary spiny forest, home to endemic plants and birds found nowhere else.

What we love about the southwest is its sense of connection to Malagasy life. Many of the small lodges here are locally run and tucked away in fishing villages, where you can see the daily catch brought in and watch the sky fill with stars at night. It’s not polished luxury – it’s simpler, quieter, and more real.

This region pairs beautifully with overland journeys from the highlands or rainforest, offering a peaceful, sun-drenched end to an adventure that’s as much about people and place as it is about nature. If you’re after somewhere different, with wild beauty and warm water, southwest Madagascar delivers.