Things to do in Mayotte

25 things to do in Mayotte

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Swim with sea turtles at N'Gouja Beach

  Wade into the calm turquoise waters off Plage de N'Gouja where green turtles graze on seagrass, offering one of the most accessible and intimate turtle encounters in the Indian Ocean.

  Kani-Kéli, south coast

• Hike to the summit of Mont Choungui

  Trek through tropical forest to the distinctive sugarloaf peak of Mont Choungui (594 m) and be rewarded with a 360° panorama over Mayotte's lagoon, islets and the Indian Ocean.

  Kani-Kéli

• Explore the Dziani Dzaha crater lake

  Walk around the rim of this emerald-green volcanic crater lake on Petite Terre, smelling sulfurous fumes and spotting endemic birds while learning about its unique anoxic waters.

  Dzaoudzi, Petite Terre

• Snorkel the 'Passe en S' coral garden

  Drift-snorkel through the serpentine channel in the barrier reef known as Passe en S, surrounded by pristine corals, parrotfish, eagle rays and seasonal migrating humpback whales.

  Off M'bouini, south-east lagoon

• Visit the Ylang Ylang distillery of Guerlain

  Tour the historic plantation where Guerlain sources ylang-ylang flowers for its perfumes, and witness the artisanal distillation process that has shaped Mayotte's identity for over a century.

  Combani, Grande Terre

• Kayak through the Bouéni mangrove forest

  Paddle silently through the tangled roots of the large mangrove forest at Bouéni, a vital nursery for reef fish and a haven for herons, fruit bats and mudskippers.

  Bouéni, south-west coast

• Discover the Badamiers mudflats at low tide

  Walk onto the vast tidal mudflats of Badamiers on Petite Terre as the sea recedes, observing fiddler crabs, wading birds and women harvesting shellfish in the traditional way.

  Pamandzi, Petite Terre

• Wander the market of Mamoudzou

  Join the early-morning bustle at the Marché Couvert, where stalls overflow with vanilla, exotic fruits, Comorian spices, handcrafted jewellery and vibrant wax-print fabrics.

  Mamoudzou

• Sunset at the Soulou Waterfall

  Witness the cascade of Soulou plunging directly into the sea — a rare sight best savoured at golden hour when the cliffs glow and the spray catches the last light.

  Mtsangamouji, north-west coast

• Picnic on îlot Mtsamboro (Chissioua Mtsamboro)

  Take a pirogue to this uninhabited islet, relax on powdery white sand and snorkel in crystal-clear water among schools of damselfish and butterflyfish with the coast of Grande Terre as backdrop.

  Mtsamboro, north-west

• See the giant baobabs of the Combani plateau

  Stroll among towering Adansonia digitata trees scattered across the agricultural plateau of Combani, silent witnesses to centuries of change and a favourite subject for photographers.

  Combani, centre-west

• Whale-watching from the lagoon (July–October)

  Embark on a respectful whale-watching excursion to observe humpback whales breaching and nursing calves in the warm lagoon waters, often just a short boat ride from shore.

  Lagoon off Mamoudzou or southern passes

• Learn about traditional Dabou fishing

  Join local fishermen on the lagoon at dawn to learn the age-old 'dabou' technique using a circular net thrown from a dugout canoe, a skill passed down through generations.

  Bandrélé, east coast

• Trek the Saziley National Park coastal trail

  Follow the dramatic peninsula trail through dry scrub and coastal baobabs to see lemurs (makis), endemic birds like the Mayotte drongo, and deserted beaches with stunning lagoon views.

  Saziley, south-east

• Overnight on Îlot de Sable Blanc

  Camp on a tiny sand cay that emerges only at low tide, surrounded by nothing but sea and stars, for an ultramarine Robinson Crusoe experience in Mayotte's vast lagoon.

  Off Mtsamboro, north lagoon

• Taste mabawa (grilled chicken wings) at a street stand

  Pull up a plastic chair at a roadside brochetterie in Mamoudzou at dusk, devouring smoky, spicy mabawa marinated in local pili-pili and served with grilled bananas — Mayotte's favourite fast food.

  Mamoudzou

• Visit the Royal Palace ruins of Tsingoni

  Explore the remains of a 16th-century Shirazi sultan's palace and the adjacent 14th-century mosque, part of Mayotte's earliest Muslim heritage and a reminder of Swahili coast influences.

  Tsingoni, centre-west

• Dive the outer barrier wall of Passe Longogori

  Descend along a dramatic wall dropping from 5 to over 40 metres, encountering grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse and large pelagics where the lagoon meets the deep ocean.

  South-west barrier reef, off M'bouini

• Attend a debaa or mawlida shenge ceremony

  If invited, witness a vibrant Sufi-inspired gathering where women chant and sway in unison, celebrating blessings with incense, colourful shawls and rhythmic devotion, a cornerstone of Mahoran spiritual life.

  Villages across Mayotte

• Cruise the islets by catamaran

  Spend a day sailing the calm lagoon aboard a catamaran, hopping between the Îlots Choazil, Mtsamboro and Handréma, snorkeling, sunbathing and spotting dolphins on the bow.

  Northern lagoon

• Discover the ancient tomb of the Sultan at Mtsanga Beach

  Walk the quiet beach of Mtsanga Mboudé to find the coral-stone tomb of a Shirazi sultan, half-hidden by vegetation, blending history with the rhythm of the tides.

  Mtsangamouji

• Try samboussa and mataba at a local snack

  Sample the Indian Ocean's multicultural flavours in crispy triangular samboussa filled with spicy minced fish, and mataba, a rich manioc-leaf stew with coconut milk, at a small family-run snack bar.

  Coconi or Mamoudzou

• Visit the Aquarium of Mayotte (Dzaoudzi)

  Get acquainted with the lagoon's biodiversity at this small but informative aquarium, showcasing live corals, clownfish, lionfish and even baby sharks before you head out into the real lagoon.

  Dzaoudzi, Petite Terre

• Sunrise at Plage de Moya

  Greet the day on this south-eastern beach where the sun rises directly over the Indian Ocean, painting the sky in pastels while joggers and fishermen start their morning routine.

  Pamandzi, Petite Terre

• Cycle the coastal road from Mamoudzou to Bandraboua

  Rent a bicycle and trace the winding northern coast road past sleepy villages, coconut groves and breathtaking lagoon overlooks, a perfect slow-travel immersion.

  North-east coast, Grande Terre