Location
On the south west coast of Mada, Anakao is the place where the surf is “cooking”. This fishing village is the biggest costal village between Tulear and Fort Dauphin with its 5000 inhabitants. Anakao has become somewhat of the recommended tourist spot for those seeking adventures south of Tulear. This means that there are plenty of sleeping and eating options as well as sea activities (snorkeling, diving, surfing, kiting etc). It does not mean that the place is crowded with tourist or that it has a “nightlife” (at least not conventional night life in a tourist place). However, your chances of meeting Vazahs are high and parties in the south can go on for days, with the southern Vezo music that has as high BPM as techno. South West is dry land (word desert is not applicable since they indeed have plants here) and lack of fresh water is noticed (take your shower in a bit salty water never hurt anyone). Beef and chicken can be found on the dinner plate but this indeed is a seafood lovers place! Welcome to Anakao!
Surf/Spot description
Surfing in Anakao is quite special as you are surfing 1-4 km offshore as the waves are breaking on the outer reef (Vezo reef, or so called Great Reef) in combination with that you most likely will surf alone. Add 4-5 foot swell and you will find yourself in one of those surf movie moments where they are bla blaing about “being in the moment”, “time disappears”, “mother nature”. Enjoy!
To get out to the reef you will have to arrange a ride, either with the local surfers or fisherman. They all know where the spots are but the surfers will most likely know what is working for the day as these breaks are quite wind and tide sensitive.
The one and only "official" surf guide in Anakao is Nono. He has now set up a surf renting shop on the property of Safari Vezo. He has two pirogs, engine and even boards to rent out.
As most of the surf spots in Anakao are known, descriptions and images can be found around the web quite easily so I will save myself the time and link to MSW for spot description.
Jelly Babies is the kindest right-hander that you can enjoy with your non surfing friend that just happened to come with you. Being a goofy, I really developed my back side on this wave (well, it has a little bit to do that I was catching 20 waves per session!!!). It is the closest wave to the shore, super safe as it is breaking over a reef/sand plateau inside the lagoon and just happens to be one of the most consistent ones around.
Flame Ball is a THE goofy ride of the area! When surfing Gods are with you this thing turns into a w*r*d clas* ride.
Puss Puss is a fast right hander, sucking in the water and revealing it’s “mine fields” that makes one doubt. I just say, don’t go on low tide and don’t doubt! If you can, try to make it there on incoming, mid to high tide.
Chefs I must admit that there is a bit of confusion about which wave Chef’s really is. I am going to claim, backed up by local surfers, that it is the wave just 2 km south of Jelly Babies which the locals refer to as Fun Fun Bay. To properly showcase itself it needs a bigger swell, S-SW, however, with that said there are always waves here. When smaller it tends to section and you will change position with tide. High to mid tide wave! NE-E is offshore but I would say that it can handle some SE as well.
Shark Situation
The local surfers and fishermen are saying that the few sharks that have not been fished up (Chinese population pay a lot for the fins, tourists pay a lot for the skeleton jaw) are outside the reefs. I choose to believe them :)
To get out to the reef you will have to arrange a ride, either with the local surfers or fisherman. They all know where the spots are but the surfers will most likely know what is working for the day as these breaks are quite wind and tide sensitive.
The one and only "official" surf guide in Anakao is Nono. He has now set up a surf renting shop on the property of Safari Vezo. He has two pirogs, engine and even boards to rent out.
As most of the surf spots in Anakao are known, descriptions and images can be found around the web quite easily so I will save myself the time and link to MSW for spot description.
Jelly Babies is the kindest right-hander that you can enjoy with your non surfing friend that just happened to come with you. Being a goofy, I really developed my back side on this wave (well, it has a little bit to do that I was catching 20 waves per session!!!). It is the closest wave to the shore, super safe as it is breaking over a reef/sand plateau inside the lagoon and just happens to be one of the most consistent ones around.
Flame Ball is a THE goofy ride of the area! When surfing Gods are with you this thing turns into a w*r*d clas* ride.
Puss Puss is a fast right hander, sucking in the water and revealing it’s “mine fields” that makes one doubt. I just say, don’t go on low tide and don’t doubt! If you can, try to make it there on incoming, mid to high tide.
Chefs I must admit that there is a bit of confusion about which wave Chef’s really is. I am going to claim, backed up by local surfers, that it is the wave just 2 km south of Jelly Babies which the locals refer to as Fun Fun Bay. To properly showcase itself it needs a bigger swell, S-SW, however, with that said there are always waves here. When smaller it tends to section and you will change position with tide. High to mid tide wave! NE-E is offshore but I would say that it can handle some SE as well.
Shark Situation
The local surfers and fishermen are saying that the few sharks that have not been fished up (Chinese population pay a lot for the fins, tourists pay a lot for the skeleton jaw) are outside the reefs. I choose to believe them :)
Accommodation
Heaps of places, varying price and comfort.
For the most complete comfort/food/ambiance combination check with Peter Pan guys, on the south end of the beach. These guys started out restaurant only and have now expanded with 5-6 very original bungalows. Cooking is the “know how” and they take pride in their restaurant. From the vibe perspective, this is the place where stories & opinions are shared! If you do not have one no worries, it will be provoked. Music is another very important ingredient, and the “3500 handpicked song playlist” is playing in the restaurant from opening to closing, a wind driven 10m high generator was installed for this purpose only. They have a pirog and, according to them, the most knowledgeable pirog captain of the south coast, a real Pirat as they say, so Big Pirog trips can be arranged if you want to search for surf further south, Itampolo for example. You can also strike a deal to have the pirog ready all the time for flexible surf departures.
For the budget surfer, check at Chez Emil, just north of the village. Simple bungalows but nicly hidden in the back yard, quite and cheap. Happens to be right next to Nono's place as well.
Atlantic, 10 min north of Chez Emil, is Anakao's dive center. A good restaurant and probably the best chill out beach front lounge can be found there as well as decent accommodation. The friendly Australian-French couple who own the place also rent out surf boards and can give you tips about the local surf. Check out their price and contact info Anakao Gallery.
For the most complete comfort/food/ambiance combination check with Peter Pan guys, on the south end of the beach. These guys started out restaurant only and have now expanded with 5-6 very original bungalows. Cooking is the “know how” and they take pride in their restaurant. From the vibe perspective, this is the place where stories & opinions are shared! If you do not have one no worries, it will be provoked. Music is another very important ingredient, and the “3500 handpicked song playlist” is playing in the restaurant from opening to closing, a wind driven 10m high generator was installed for this purpose only. They have a pirog and, according to them, the most knowledgeable pirog captain of the south coast, a real Pirat as they say, so Big Pirog trips can be arranged if you want to search for surf further south, Itampolo for example. You can also strike a deal to have the pirog ready all the time for flexible surf departures.
For the budget surfer, check at Chez Emil, just north of the village. Simple bungalows but nicly hidden in the back yard, quite and cheap. Happens to be right next to Nono's place as well.
Atlantic, 10 min north of Chez Emil, is Anakao's dive center. A good restaurant and probably the best chill out beach front lounge can be found there as well as decent accommodation. The friendly Australian-French couple who own the place also rent out surf boards and can give you tips about the local surf. Check out their price and contact info Anakao Gallery.
How to get to Anakao
Assuming you have found your way to Tulear :
Tulear to Anakao
What birdway is some 30 km, coast way 45 km, long distance is really a 2 day (possibly longer?) drive with Taxi Brouse (a river to be crossed, no Ferry, need to go a long way around on really bad roads). So the only logic alternataive for a tourist is the speed boat transfer from Tulear to Anakao. Leaves every morning around 9, takes 45min-90min.
Tulear to Anakao
What birdway is some 30 km, coast way 45 km, long distance is really a 2 day (possibly longer?) drive with Taxi Brouse (a river to be crossed, no Ferry, need to go a long way around on really bad roads). So the only logic alternataive for a tourist is the speed boat transfer from Tulear to Anakao. Leaves every morning around 9, takes 45min-90min.