Beach & Coast in Madagascar
A turquoise lagoon and a spiny forest
Ifaty is a small beach area on the Mozambique Channel, about 27 kilometres north of Toliara in the south-west. The coast has a long coral reef close to shore, and the landscape behind it is spiny forest of strange cactus-like trees and baobabs. It is a quiet place to relax after the RN7, with simple beach hotels and fishermen's boats on the sand.
Activities include snorkelling and diving on the reef, a walk in the Reniala Reserve, with its baobabs and endemic birds, and a boat trip to see humpback whales from July to September. The Vezo fishermen, who live on the coast, sail the outrigger pirogues.
Ifaty is best from April to November.
The reef holds turtles, rays and colourful fish, and the Reniala Reserve has spiny forest, baobabs, chameleons and tortoises. Humpback whales pass from July to September.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
A coral reef, a long sandy beach, spiny forest and a wide sky.
Activities here
Ifaty is hot and dry, with little rain and long hours of sunshine. The wet season from December to March is hot and brings occasional storms.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 24 | 100 |
| Feb | 33 | 24 | 80 |
| Mar | 33 | 23 | 40 |
| Apr | 31 | 21 | 15 |
| May | 29 | 19 | 10 |
| Jun | 27 | 17 | 5 |
| Jul | 26 | 16 | 5 |
| Aug | 27 | 17 | 3 |
| Sep | 29 | 18 | 3 |
| Oct | 31 | 20 | 10 |
| Nov | 32 | 22 | 40 |
| Dec | 33 | 23 | 80 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
April to November is dry and pleasant, with cooler nights in winter.
December to March is hot, humid and stormy.
May to October, with whale watching from July to September.
Best time to visit Apr to Oct
Ifaty is about an hour’s drive from Toliara on a sandy track, and Toliara has flights from Antananarivo. The RN7 reaches Toliara from Isalo in five to six hours.
Please see the Madagascar page for visa details. Reserve fees are included in our tours where applicable.
Ifaty is a malaria area, so please take advice. Use sun protection and drink plenty of water.
National ParkAndasibe-Mantadia National ParkThe haunting song of the indri
City & TownAntananarivoThe highland capital
National ParkIsalo National ParkSandstone canyons and natural pools
Scenic AreaMorondava and the Avenue of the BaobabsGiant baobabs at sunset
Beach & CoastNosy BeIslands, reefs and turquoise water
National ParkRanomafana National ParkRainforest and the golden bamboo lemurOur take
“Our take”
Give Ifaty two nights for the lagoon, and visit the spiny forest in the early morning, before the heat.
Safaris from
US$3,948 per person
Plan your time in Ifaty and Tulear
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