The large double rooms with en suite facilities have been constructed and painted outside so as to resemble the huge mounds of sea salt collected from specially constructed lagoons nearby. Sea water is pumped into the large “pans” where the dry climate evaporates the water leaving gleaming white salt crystals behind. However, for the visitor a major interest of the lagoons is the variety of waders and plovers that frequent the area. The endemic Madagascar Plover is common and usually easily seen.

The Ifaty area is well known for the dry “Spiney Forest” which lies inland from the coast. This incredible habitat has developed in response to the relatively dry conditions and the sand dunes found here. Apart from the Baobabs, of which there are 3 species, most bushes and trees seem to have long thorns. There is little ground cover and it is possible to creep on the sand under many bushes to see species like the Long-tailed Ground Roller and Sickle-billed Vanga.

In some areas the valleys between the sand dunes have filled with water, probably from ground water seeping down from the surrounding dunes. These open pans attract a variety of waterfowl including the endemic Madagascar Little Grebe which may occur in significant numbers. There are a number of comfortable lodges, other than la Saline, in the area offering good food and comfortable accommodation.