Mayotte · Marine nature park
The lagoon of Mayotte
More than 1,000 km² of turquoise water ringed by a coral barrier reef: the lagoon of Mayotte is one of the largest enclosed lagoons on the planet.
Maore · The lagoon island
Mayotte
The oldest island of the archipelago is surrounded by one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world. Turtles, whales and lemurs, the mosque of Tsingoni and the rock of Dzaoudzi: Mayotte combines natural riches with a singular history.
Geologically the eldest of the archipelago, Mayotte has had time to surround itself with an exceptional belt of coral. It consists of Grande-Terre, Petite-Terre and some thirty islets. French since 1841 and a department since 2011, it shares with its neighbours the language, religion and traditions of the archipelago, while using the euro and French law. The Union of the Comoros claims sovereignty over it.
Good to know: in December 2024, Cyclone Chido
hit Mayotte hard. Reconstruction is continuing and some sites or services may be
affected.
Mayotte
Geography
Eroded and slowly subsiding, Mayotte has gentle relief, rising to Mount Bénara (660 m), and peaks such as Mount Choungui. Its lagoon, of around 1,100 km², is enclosed by a coral barrier reef more than 150 km long, doubled in the south-west by a rare double barrier. On Petite-Terre, Lake Dziani fills an ancient crater. Since 2018, a new underwater volcano, Fani Maoré, has formed some fifty kilometres to the east.
Mayotte
History
The site of Dembéni bears witness to active trade with the Persian Gulf and China as early as the 9th century. In the 16th century, Tsingoni was the capital of the sultanate; its mosque has a mihrab dated 1538. In 1841, Sultan Andriantsoly ceded the island to France, which set up its administration on the rock of Dzaoudzi. Slavery was abolished there in 1846. In the consultations of 1974 and 1976, the people of Mayotte chose to remain French; the island became the 101st department in 2011.
Mayotte
Culture & traditions
People speak Shimaore and, in several villages, Kibushi, of Malagasy origin. Women wear the saluva and the msindzano. The manzaraka, the Mahoran grand marriage, the debaa sung by women and the m'biwi beaten out on bamboo are at the heart of celebrations. The Museum of Mayotte, in Dzaoudzi, presents this heritage.
Mayotte
Nature
The lagoon, protected by the Mayotte Marine Nature Park, is home to green turtles, dolphins, rays, more than two hundred species of coral and some of the last remaining dugongs. Humpback whales come to give birth there from July to October. On land, lemurs are easy to spot, and the ridge forests are protected by a national nature reserve.
What to see on Mayotte
Our detailed guides to the must-see places.
Mayotte · Volcano
Petite-Terre and Lake Dziani
An emerald lake at the bottom of a crater, a turtle nesting beach and the old rock of Dzaoudzi: Petite-Terre makes for an unforgettable day.
Mayotte · Snorkelling
N'Gouja beach
Swimming over the seagrass beds alongside green turtles: at N'Gouja, the encounter happens a few strokes from the shore.
Mayotte · Hiking
Mount Choungui
A volcanic sugarloaf rising above the lagoon: the most iconic climb in Mayotte.
Mayotte · Town & heritage
Mamoudzou and Tsingoni
The liveliest town in Mayotte and, to the west, the oldest mosque still in use on French territory.
Spots & tips
Mamoudzou covered market, Bandrélé salt, red padzas, lagoon islets and evening mabawa: our favourites in Mayotte, from must-sees to local secrets.
The covered market in Mamoudzou
Mamoudzou
The island's main market: cassava, plantains, mangoes, papayas, vanilla, cardamom, medicinal plants, samosas… and craft stalls: carved wooden boxes and model dhows, basketry, jewellery, and salouva, the wrap worn by Mahoran women.
Tip: Come in the morning: that is when the market is at its liveliest.
See the place page
N'Gouja and its turtles
Kani-Kéli, south of the island
Seagrass beds where green turtles graze, a few strokes from the sand: one of the finest encounters in the lagoon.
Tip: Keep your distance: turtles must not be touched or chased.
See the place page
White Sand Islet
South-east lagoon
An immaculate sandbank in the middle of the lagoon, uncovered mainly at low tide: one of the most photographed boat trips in Mayotte.
Tip: Book with a boat operator; sunscreen and a hat are essential.
Coconi market
Coconi, central Grande-Terre
In the heart of the farming island, Coconi hosts a producers' market and, several times a year, craft markets, especially before festivals and during the holidays.
Tip: The dates of the craft markets are announced by the tourist office.
The food markets of Hamouro
Hamouro, southern Grande-Terre
A food market regularly livens up Hamouro beach: Mahoran specialities, local produce and music, with your feet in the sand.
Tip: Ask the tourist office and the associations of the south for the next dates.
The salt ecomuseum in Bandrélé
Bandrélé, east coast
Some twenty “mamas shingo” keep alive a technique unique to Mayotte: filtering the salty mud of the mangrove, then evaporating the brine over a wood fire. Their association has opened an ecomuseum to share this know-how, handed down from mother to daughter.
Tip: Visits are by appointment: contact the ecomuseum before you go.
Public life & institutions
A French department since 2011, Mayotte lives under the law of the Republic, but cadis, women's associations and village traditions still hold a central place there.
In pictures
