This English translation is awaiting human review.

Belo-sur-Mer
Blue-hulled dhow, a traditional sailing boat, at anchor at Belo-sur-Mer
Photo: krishna naudin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Getting to Belo-sur-Mer

No paved road leads to Belo-sur-Mer. You get there from Morondava, by track or by sea. Here are the two stages of the journey, with what our sources say.

Last verified :

At a glance

  • Starting point: Morondava, on the west coast.
  • By track: by 4x4 with a driver, usually from May to October or November only.
  • By sea: by motorboat, motorised pirogue or sail, for most of the year, weather permitting.
  • Tip: keep a spare day before any return flight.

Stage 1: getting to Morondava

By air

Direct flights link Antananarivo and Morondava, operated by Madagascar Airlines. The flight takes about 1 hr 10 min according to published schedules. Days and times vary by season: check them directly with the airline before booking.

By road

About 650 km: the RN7 south to Antsirabe, then the RN34 west through Miandrivazo to Malaimbandy, and finally the RN35 through Mahabo to Morondava. MadaAssist gives 12 to 15 hours by private car or taxi-brousse, sometimes more in the rainy season. Many travellers split the journey in two.

Stage 2: from Morondava to Belo-sur-Mer

By track, in a 4x4

  • Distance: about 90 to 100 km depending on the source.
  • When: from May to November according to the Ecolodge du Menabe; “usually late May through October” according to Remote River Expeditions. The rest of the year, the track crosses rivers and is not passable.
  • Travel time: about 3 hr 30 according to the Ecolodge du Menabe, and 4 hours according to several travellers’ accounts. The Guide du Routard gives 5 to 7 hours. It all depends on the track, the vehicle and the unexpected (breakdowns, getting stuck in sand).
  • The route: a narrow, sandy track with fords. One travel blog also describes a large salt flat covered at high tide, with no markings: the crossing has to be timed with the tide. A driver who knows the track is essential.
  • Indicative price: the Ecolodge du Menabe quotes about 420,000 Ar one way for a 4x4 with driver (price checked on 4 November 2026, subject to change).

By sea

  • Distance: about 58 to 65 km along the coast.
  • When: possible for most of the year according to Remote River Expeditions, always subject to the weather and sea conditions.
  • Boats: motorboat, motorised pirogue or sailing pirogue.
  • Travel time: 1 hr 40 to 3 hours according to the Ecolodge du Menabe, depending on the boat and the sea. The Guide du Routard gives 4 to 6 hours: under sail or in rough seas, the crossing takes much longer.
  • Indicative price: the Ecolodge du Menabe quotes 550,000 Ar one way for a 6-seat motorised pirogue (based on the price of fuel, checked on 4 November 2026, subject to change).

Combining both

You can go by track and come back by sea, or the other way round, to see both the bush and the coastline. Accommodation in Belo-sur-Mer can often arrange these transfers: ask when you book.

Before you go

  • Leave early in the morning and travel by day.
  • By boat: ask for a life jacket for every passenger, keep your belongings dry (dry bag) and bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
  • By 4x4: bring water and food, the journey can take longer than planned.
  • Cash: there is no ATM in Belo-sur-Mer. Withdraw money before leaving Morondava.
  • Rainy season (roughly December to March): the track is closed; check sea conditions before planning the boat.
  • Safety: read your country’s official travel advice before leaving.

After Belo?

Belo-sur-Mer is also a stop on the coastal track heading south, towards Morombe and Toliara (Tuléar). It is a long 4x4 journey, best organised with an experienced driver and agency.

Have you made the journey recently? Tell us the travel time, the season and the state of the track or the sea: your feedback helps us keep this page up to date.