Things to do in Mayotte

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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