Mayotte, the secret jewel of the Indian Ocean
Explore the island of scents and idyllic lagoons.
A corner of paradise between beaches and vibrant cultures.
Mayotte: Exotic Escape between Nature and Culture
The island doesn't have just one, but two coral reefs, forming a calm and warm lagoon throughout the year. A feature that has certainly not escaped the whales, whale sharks, turtles, dugongs, manta rays, and dolphins that come to bask safely. If "the island of the lagoon," as it is nicknamed, is a marvel beneath the surface, it is also very rich on land. From N'gouja, in the south of Grande-Terre, Madagascar is only 300 km away. Here you can find baobabs and lemurs whose curiosity prevails over shyness, much to our delight.
Belonging to the Comoros archipelago until 2009, the island has retained its traditions and festivities. Muslim and matriarchal, Mayotte society is cosmopolitan: in the streets, people speak French, Shimaore, Shibushi, and sometimes Malagasy. Women are everywhere, draped in beautiful colorful salouvas adorned with flowers and jewelry. Here laughter is omnipresent and generosity takes on a whole new meaning in the evening when men and women gather around the *mama brochettis* who prepare chicken, cassava, and breadfruit on their charcoal barbecues.
This tourist guide invites you to discover the two inhabited islands, Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre, as well as the main islets that surround them.
A Hidden Paradise to Discover
Mayotte is an island where abundant nature and traditions meet to offer visitors an unforgettable experience. The white sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see, bordered by turquoise waters where multicolored fish dance under the bright sun. Diving enthusiasts will be amazed by the coral reefs and the richness of the marine life, while hikers can explore the lush trails that wind through exotic and fragrant flora.
The warm welcome of the locals, always ready to share a smile or a story, adds a special charm to this unique destination. The picturesque villages, with their colorful and lively markets, allow for immersion in the local culture, where traditional crafts and gastronomy offer a thousand and one discoveries. The island's peaceful pace invites relaxation and contemplation, far from the daily hustle and bustle.
Mayotte captivates with its authenticity and cultural diversity, offering every visitor the opportunity to experience an extraordinary journey in the heart of a preserved natural setting.
Surrounded by a double coral barrier over 150 kilometers long, edged with a fringing reef, Mayotte has one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world. In some places, a few channels allow access from the outside. It's a true life-sized aquarium that presents itself to us. Sheltered from the currents of the Indian Ocean, located in the Mozambique Channel, Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre, the only two inhabited islands of Mayotte, face each other and enjoy water temperatures never below 25 °C.
The Natural Beauty of Mayotte
Mayotte, with its bush, surprises with its humid and tropical forest, green and lush. It is full of mango trees, banana plantations, coconut trees, breadfruit trees, and giant bamboo. In its center, ylang-ylang plantations perfume the island in the early hours with their mysterious scents. Its cinnamon forests, vanilla, lemongrass, and other spices or fragrant plants astonish visitors who only knew them from supermarket shelves. A drier vegetation towards the south reveals the majestic centuries-old baobabs that grow along the beaches or hills. To complete the picture, the maki, the lemur of Mayotte, moves in small clans at certain hours of the morning or afternoon. The lemurus fulvus mayottensis coexist with the flying fox, a large bat that can reach a wingspan of one meter. Rest assured, it is vegetarian and non-aggressive, except with the makis with whom it competes for the fruits of the trees.
Change of scenery and authenticity in Mayotte
Both African and Malagasy, Mayotte offers a sense of escape in complete safety. You can see zebus grazing by the roadside and experience the friendliness of gatherings around a skewer in the evening. The loud and infectious laughter of the bouénis, these Mahoran women, resonates in the air. Children enjoy racing after a tire rolling enthusiastically down the road. Fishermen glide gracefully over the surface of the lagoon, pursuing their daily routine with a contagious serenity. These moments of daily life are pearls that make the experience unique and enchanting.
A warm and friendly welcome
The Mahorais are initially rather shy and reserved. However, you should not hesitate to show them interest, as kindness and generosity are always present. For example, you are never left alone with a flat tire by the roadside; someone will invariably come to lend a hand. This is what is called musada or mutual aid, which is one of the foundations of Islam and the island. The welcome extended by the "expats," these Mzungus who have been on the island for a few days or a few years, is also particularly warm. Solidarity is created from the moment you get on the plane and continues with each encounter. Travel and discovery are shared in Mayotte.
Mayotte: a French overseas department
Being French gives Mayotte several advantages in terms of tourism. Visitors feel like they are visiting a foreign country while still being in France. Traveling to the other side of the world, over 9,000 kilometers from the mainland, while remaining in one's own country is a privilege that few nations experience. From a practical point of view: no need for a passport or visa, the currency is the euro which can be withdrawn from ATMs, the postal service and France Telecom operate just as they do in the mainland, as do SFR and Orange, the overseas operators.
People from mainland France, Europe, or Réunion (as many of them visit the island) immediately find their bearings upon arrival and feel secure with modern healthcare, top-notch police services, reliable transportation, and electricity and telecommunication that work just like at home. This is not the case in other countries in the region, which have a significantly lower standard of living, like the independent Comoros which experience significant deprivation.
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