Mayotte, officially named the department of Mayotte, is both a French island region and an overseas department of France which are administered within the framework of a single territorial community headed by the departmental council of Mayotte. Geographically, it is an archipelago located in the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean. Mayotte is made up of two main islands, Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre, and several other small islands including Mtsamboro, Mbouzi and Bandrélé.

Most of the people are Mahorais of Malagasy origin and are Sunni Muslim and strongly influenced by French culture; there is a Roman Catholic minority. French is the official language, but most of the people speak Comorian (closely allied to Swahili); there are some villages along the Mayotte coast in which a Malagasy dialect is the main language.

The wild fauna, diverse and permanent, is quite surprising: the maki, a type of lemur, is found only on Mayotte. There’s also the roussette (flying fox), a large bat that flies around both day and night. To discover this rich wildlife, a 100 km hiking trail runs around the island, allowing tourists to admire the stunning views, discover a fascinating geological history, immerse themselves in the Mahori nature, and mingle with the locals.

Things to See and Do in Mayotte

Located between Africa and Madagascar, Mayotte has an abundance of endemic fauna and flora. Baobabs and tulip trees, from Gabon and Takamakas, are spread throughout both the humid and dry forests. You can also find ylang-ylang and magnificent wild orchids, of which nearly 50 species, including the vanilla plant, exist on Mayotte. One of Mayotte's greatest assets is its coral reef, bordering one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world. The double barrier phenomenon is a mystery of the Mayotte lagoon. Sheltered from the ocean's fury, the lagoon is a haven of peace, housing a great variety of flora and fauna. A real natural aquarium in which colorful fish live side by side with large sea mammals, the lagoon offers an exceptional view of underwater life.

Mayotte is also home to one of nature's most beautiful sights: humpback whales teaching their newborns. Several species of dolphins can be found inside and outside the lagoon. Some of them will allow you to observe their aquatic ballet, while others will share their music with you. Mayotte is also an excellent site for observing sea turtles. Swimming with them, or watching them laying their eggs is among the more unique experiences possible on the lagoon island.

A multi-faceted area, Mayotte has inherited a mosaic of cultures: African, Persian, Asian, Madagascan, European and Arabic. This crossing of several different worlds and civilizations has forged a rich and authentic culture. Thus, there are a multitude of religious, cultural, folk and sporting events that take place annually on Mayotte.

One of Mayotte's greatest charms is its coral reef bordering one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world. The double barrier phenomenon is a curiosity of the Mayotte lagoon. Sheltered from the ocean's fury, the lagoon is a haven of peace for the great variety of flora and fauna.

A real natural aquarium in which colourful fish live side by side with large sea mammals, the underwater life offers exuberant views.
If it's emotions you are looking for, Mayotte also offers one of nature's most beautiful sights: the humpback whales teaching the rudiments of life to their new-borns.

Several species of dolphin can be found inside and outside the lagoon. Some of them will allow you to observe their aquatic ballet, and other groups will share their music with you. Mayotte is also an excellent site for observing the sea turtles. Swimming with them or watching them laying their eggs are among the more moving moments in the discovery of the lagoon island…

Mont Choungi

Climbing Mount Choungui is one of the essential activities in Mayotte during the dry season. The mountain dominates the south of the island, culminating in a perfect and steep cone that reaches 594 meters (1948.82 feet). It offers a panoramic view of the entire south of the island and its basaltic column is visible from Petite Terre.

The islet of Saziley

For this nautical escapade at the south of Mayotte, leave by boat from Moutsamoudou—don't forget to take your mask, fins and snorkel, sunscreen, hat and lots of water because there are no shops on this little piece of paradise!

The Coconi botanic gardens

Strolling around the botanical garden of Coconi during the rainy season (between November and the end of April) is a verdant treat. In addition to the many flowers and beautiful groves of palm and coconut trees, you can also visit the nursery.

N'Gouja beach

Located at the extreme south-west of the island in the lagoon, this beach is the most beautiful and best-known of Mayotte. Swimming with turtles and lying on the clear sand, under the baobabs, observing flying bats and lemurs scampering about are some of the pleasures of this little island paradise.

Lake Karihani

Lake Karihani, or dziani Karihani in Shimaoré, is the only freshwater natural lake in Mayotte. Often covered with water lilies, it serves as a refuge for many birds, egrets, herons and other waterfowl. The lake tour, near the village of Tsingoni, is a quiet and exotic walk.

Dzaoudzi village

Dzaoudzi, which has 13,000 inhabitants, houses most of the colonial-era buildings of Mayotte, including the hotel "Le rocher", the old post office that dates back to 1845, the former boarding house which is now the the Heritage House or even the former governor's palace, called "Palais Eiffel", named after its designer.

The fields of the Guerlain plantation

At 800 meters (2624.67 feet) from the village of Combani, the Guerlain plantation aligns its rows of ylang-ylang, and its alley of coconut trees. The house of the famous perfumer, planted in the middle of a neat garden, offers beautiful remains that are worth a visit.

The 210 steps of Acoua

This staircase with uneven steps gives access to the top of a hill that dominates the Acoua Bay, offering a magnificent view of the Northern Islands. Far away, the Choazil Islands and the Chissioua Mtsamboro seem to swim on the calm waters of the lagoon.

The small town of Mamoudzou

Mamoudzou, which has only 6,200 inhabitants, is on the edge of two coves separated by Mahabo Point. It concentrates most of the island's businesses and services, the headquarters of the General Council and most of the administrations, notably on Place Mariage in the city center.

The Bouéni peninsula

Located south of Mayotte, the Boueni peninsula stretches for 4 kilometers (2.48 miles) to the north, facing the town of Sada and partly close the great Bay of Boueni. Fishing villages are located along the coast and trails allow you to visit the peninsula, from Majiméouni to Mzouazia.

The Combani reservoir and its fields of ylang-ylang

A piece of the earth between Africa and Madagascar, Mayotte has an abundance of endemic fauna and an original flora. Baobabs, tulip trees from Gabon and Takamakas are spread throughout the humid and dry forests. You can also find ylang-ylang and magnificent wild orchids, of which nearly 50 species exist on Mayotte, including the vanilla plant. The wild fauna, diverse and permanent, is quite surprising: the maki, a type of lemur found only on Mayotte and the roussette (flying fox, see below), a large bat which flies around both day and night.

Shed a tear as you watch the turtles lay their eggs on Moya beach

Mayotte is one of the places in the Indian Ocean where it is common to see sea turtles laying eggs—and Moya Beach is their favorite site here. Almost every night from March to June, with records in May, turtles come to lay their eggs. Be careful not to disturb them.

Marvel at the ballet of humpback whales in the lagoon

From Mamoudzou, you can go watch humpback whales and their calves romping in the lagoon's almost-closed turquoise waters from July to the end of October. They come to perform courtship displays, give birth, breastfeed and then educate their young.

Swim with dolphins and terns off Saziley Point

Dolphins and the seabirds called terns flit about all year round in Mayotte, the lagoon fauna being very rich. For dolphins, the most famous place is M'Tsamboro Island, in the direction of the Great Barrier Reef. Near the tip of Saziley, the "white islet" is the main refuge of the terns.

Diving in the Passe en S underwater nature reserve

From its real name, Longogori, the "Passe en S" is a famous dive site, protected as a marine reserve since 1990. Fishing is prohibited here. With 13 sites divided between the lagoon and the ocean, it is THE diving spot of Mayotte. This is an oasis for sea turtle spotting.

Jump back 3 billion years at Dziani crater lake

Dziani Dzaha is an emerald-green crater lake, located north of Petite-Terre. Come and admire the rock of Dzaoudzi and its marina, Grande-Terre, as well as the turquoise waters of the great northeastern reef from the tiny huts that overlook them.

Explore the Choizil islets with mask and snorkel

Located a few kilometers from the coast, the Choizil islets are the most beautiful dive sites in Mayotte: turquoise water, white sandbanks, black rocks, and green reliefs as far as the eye can see. The gradiated coral bottom abounds with multicolored fish (clownfish, angelfish and more).

Paddle through the mangroves for a close encounter with its wildlife

Cruising the Mayotte mangrove by kayak or canoe is definitely worth a visit. This universe is fascinating—a community of the periophthalm, a kind of small amphibious fish; the violin crab; the white crabbird; the Terebralia palustris, a mollusk with a pointed cone and hundreds of other animals.

The art of Bandrélé salt and the ‘mama shingos’

The shingo mamas will explain each step of salt production, resulting in a natural product with a unique taste: from pickup to filtration in perforated basins, watering with sea water and heating to evaporate the liquid, leaving only the white gold of Mayotte salt!

Make friends with the brown lemurs

Easy to approach, these adorable lemurs live in colonies in the trees. They will come close to you and may even try to steal your food! They look like adorable stuffed animals that you want to hug, but please do not feed (it changes their eating habits and can affect their health).