Anakao, Fishing village and beach in Soalara, Madagascar.

Anakao is a fishing village and beach on the southwestern coast of Madagascar where white sand meets turquoise water. The settlement sits directly along the shore with simple accommodations scattered along the coastline and small boats anchored offshore.

Anakao is a Vezo village on the Mahafaly coast south of the Onilahy river mouth, facing the island of Nosy Ve. Over a few years it grew from a fishing village into a small seaside resort popular with tourists visiting Madagascar. A 2004 study by Claire Brachet and Violaine Guinet examined ecotourism and community management of tourist resources at Anakao/Nosy Ve and the Sept-Lacs forest.

The Vezo people of Anakao keep their maritime traditions alive through early morning fish markets and boat crafting passed down through generations. Walking through the settlement, you see evidence of this way of life everywhere, from traditional wooden boats to nets spread out for drying.

Anakao lies about 35 km south of Toliara, on a flat coastal strip where sandy soil forms dunes; the villages of Ankilimivony and Ankiririsa lie further south. The municipality also covers Anakao Haut, Anakao Bas, Befasy and Maromena, so ask which village you are heading to. The beach settlement faces Nosy Ve, reached by boat from the shore.

Anakao faces the small island of Nosy Ve, and the municipality also covers the villages of Anakao Haut, Anakao Bas, Befasy and Maromena. Tombs stand near the point of the town, and the sandy ground rises into dunes beyond the flat centre.