Madagascar's Most Beautiful Southern Beaches
As the world's fifth largest island (with over 5,000 km of coastline), Madagascar is home to a wealth of magnificent beaches that captivate visitors.
March 12, 2019 As the world's fifth largest island (with over 5,000 km of coastline), Madagascar is home to a wealth of magnificent beaches that captivate visitors.
After time spent exploring southern Madagascar, travelers invariably remember the beaches above all: Baie des Assassins, Beheloka, Libanona, Itampolo, Nosy Ve…
Libanona
 The southeast coast of Madagascar boasts some truly lovely beaches, among them Libanona near Taolagnaro, also known as Fort-Dauphin. It's wonderfully pleasant to wander here. A beach bordered by emerald waters with a backdrop of verdant hills and greenery creates a truly picturesque landscape! You'll find yourself wanting to linger all day.
This beach is renowned among surfing enthusiasts for its perfect winds and magnificent waves. Nearby, you'll discover other excellent swimming spots, including the Evatraha peninsula, Lokaro beach, and Lake Manivo.
Baie des Assassins
Baie des Assassins is far from the frightening place its name might suggest! The name derives from a 19th-century tale of English naval sailors who were supposedly killed on this beach. The location is actually remarkably beautiful and peaceful, evoking a sense of calm and spiritual restoration.
The bay sits near Andavadaoka and Tanambao, just a few kilometers from the famous Mikea forest. As you're on Madagascar's southwest coast, you can admire the traditional sailing vessels of Vezo fishermen and perhaps even venture out to sea yourself.
Beheloka
Beheloka epitomizes the pristine beaches of Madagascar's southwest: white sandy banks and translucent waters in an isolated setting. Unfortunately, this gem, located 250 km from Toliara, is gradually being eroded by the sea due to deforestation.
The coral reef remains largely intact, much to the delight of divers with their own equipment. The local residents are Vezo people—fishermen and cultivators of red seaweed. Visitors can expect a bivouac experience on-site, followed by a traditional pirogue excursion.
Itampolo
Located 360 km south of Tuléar, Itampolo impresses with its sheer vastness: dreamlike beaches and white dunes stretching to the horizon. The village is larger and more populated than other remote settlements along the southwest coast, yet this detracts nothing from its charm.
The atmosphere remains tranquil, and swimming and diving here are always delightful! The residents are exceptionally welcoming and ensure visitors feel genuinely appreciated. Children, curious about visitors from distant lands, bounce, play, and laugh on the beach, observing the travelers with innocent wonder.
Nosy Ve
Remaining on the southwest coast, Nosy Ve island is a small sanctuary of nature. This is where red-tailed tropicbirds breed—seabirds that migrate from other islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Nosy Ve's greatest advantage is its nearly deserted beach composed of coral-derived sand. The seafloor is equally exceptional, carpeted with fragmented white shells of countless varieties.
Armed with simply a mask and snorkel, dive in to admire brilliantly colored fish—clownfish, triggerfishes, seahorses, large-headed moray eels, and more. Sea turtles and stingrays grace these waters too.
For even more discovery and wonder, venture to Anakao, just 5 km away. This is a beach of exceptional beauty where the water remains consistently transparent and shallow. Here you may spot whales and dolphins among other marine life!
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