Highlights
The Mayotte lagoon
A vast lagoon enclosed by a coral barrier reef, with a rare double reef in places. It shelters dolphins, rays, sea turtles and dugongs, and boat trips, snorkelling and diving are the main ways to explore it.
N'Gouja beach
On the south-west coast of Grande-Terre, this beach is known for green sea turtles grazing on seagrass in the shallows, often within easy snorkelling distance of the shore. Keep your distance and never touch them.
Whale watching
From about July to October, humpback whales arrive in the lagoon and the waters outside the reef to breed and give birth. Licensed boat trips follow rules on how close they can approach.
Lac Dziani, Petite-Terre
A green volcanic crater lake on Petite-Terre, circled by a walking path. Nearby, the cliffs of Moya have beaches below them where turtles come ashore to nest.
Mont Choungui
A distinctive cone-shaped peak in the south of Grande-Terre. The steep climb through forest and up to the summit gives views across the lagoon and the islets.
Îlot de sable blanc
A white sandbank in the lagoon off the north-west coast that appears and changes shape with the tides, reached by boat for swimming and snorkelling.
Mamoudzou market
The main town's market is the place to see local life, with stalls of fruit, spices and fish, and women in brightly coloured salouva wraps.
Interesting facts about Mayotte
- Mayotte became France's 101st department in 2011 after a referendum, while the other islands of the Comoros archipelago form the independent Union of the Comoros.
- In 2018 an unusual swarm of earthquakes led scientists to discover a large new underwater volcano growing on the seafloor east of Mayotte.
- Mayotte is sometimes called the perfume island because of its ylang-ylang plantations, whose flowers are distilled into essential oil.
- Many Mahoraise women wear msindzano, a pale face mask made from ground sandalwood and other ingredients, used to protect and beautify the skin.
- Most residents are Muslim, and Shimaore and Kibushi are widely spoken alongside the official language, French.
Best time to visit
The dry season from about May to October is the most comfortable time to visit, with cooler, less humid weather and calmer conditions for boat trips; it also coincides with the humpback whale season from July. The wet season, from roughly November to April, is hot and humid with heavy rain and the risk of tropical cyclones, as shown by Cyclone Chido in December 2024. Water supply can be limited during dry periods, so check the current situation before you travel.
Practical information
| Capital | Mamoudzou |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | French |
| Plugs | Type C, E |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 (general), 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not expected. Service is included as in mainland France; rounding up or a small tip for guides and boat crews is appreciated. |
Getting around
The airport is on Petite-Terre at Dzaoudzi-Pamandzi. A regular barge, called the barge or amphidrome, carries passengers and vehicles across to Mamoudzou on Grande-Terre. On Grande-Terre, shared taxis run along the main roads, but they are hard to use without local knowledge, so most visitors rent a car to reach beaches and trailheads. Roads are narrow and winding, traffic around Mamoudzou can be very heavy, and conditions may still be affected by cyclone damage in places. Boat operators run trips into the lagoon.
Staying connected in Mayotte
Mobile coverage is generally available in Mamoudzou, Petite-Terre and the main villages, with 4G in populated areas. Coverage can be weak in the hills, on the lagoon islets and in less populated parts of the south and north. Networks were badly damaged by Cyclone Chido and have been under repair, so performance may vary. Wi-Fi is available in some hotels and guesthouses. EU roaming rules generally apply to French overseas departments for EU plans, but check yours. Others should install an eSIM before they fly and switch it on when they land.
See Mayotte eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Mayotte
- Google Maps: Download offline maps of Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre before driving or hiking.
- Waze: Helps you navigate the busy roads around Mamoudzou with live traffic.
- Google Translate: French is the official language, and English is not widely spoken.