Mayotte Island: 20 Best Things to Do

Mayotte is a French island that relatively few people know much about. Located about 1,400 km northwest of Réunion Island and 300 km from Madagascar, it often leaves people wondering exactly where to find it on a world map. I lived on this small island paradise, as I like to call it, for almost four years. Set in the Indian Ocean, in the Mozambique Channel between the African mainland and Madagascar, Mayotte has everything I love about a tropical island. Here are the best things to do on Mayotte Island. If you are planning a trip, I also recommend reading “When to go to Mayotte?” Now, let’s explore one of France’s least-known overseas departments.

I have deliberately chosen not to focus on the island’s recent situation, as that is not the purpose of this article. Illegal immigration, informal settlements, living conditions, departmentalization, crime, and recurring general strikes are nevertheless very real issues. Yet these problems still seem to receive far too little attention…

So no, life on Mayotte is not all rosy—far from it. Even so, the island remains close to my heart because living there was an extraordinary experience. It is a complex territory at the crossroads of two worlds, with the Union of the Comoros just 70 km to the north. Although life on the island is far from easy today, I sincerely hope the situation improves soon for everyone who calls Mayotte home.

In the meantime, I hope this article encourages more people to discover an island that, to me, remains a pearl of the Indian Ocean. Even today, I still catch myself saying, “If the island did not have so many security problems, I could spend my life there!” Here are the places and experiences I consider essential in Mayotte.

If I had to answer the question, “What should you do in Mayotte?” my first response would be obvious. I will probably devote an entire article to it one day, but in one word, diving in Mayotte is MAGNIFICENT. During my first stay, I had the chance to dive extensively around the island and explored nearly all of its dive sites. Even after diving elsewhere in the world, I still think Mayotte compares very favorably with many destinations. French Polynesia, for example, has an abundance of large marine species, but I found its overall biodiversity less varied.

For anyone looking for a reliable dive center, you can visit my friend Max at Club Hippocampe Plongée, or Alex at Nautilus Plongée.

Expect an impressive variety of corals, tropical fish everywhere, and several marine mammal species—in short, an underwater world unlike almost anything I have seen elsewhere.

During your stay in Mayotte, make time to explore the island’s beaches. Among the best known are N’Gouja Beach in the south, Sakouli Beach, Sohoa Beach on the west coast, and the beaches around Bouéni—all well worth including on a tour of the island. Bring your snorkeling gear and discover Mayotte’s underwater world, with corals, crabs, anemones, and many different fish. The drop-off at Sakouli Beach is particularly beautiful.

Meeting the lemurs is another enjoyable experience in Mayotte. These small, monkey-like animals can be found throughout the island, and the well-known N’Gouja Beach is one of the easiest places to spot them. Many tourists and locals feed them bananas, so they are accustomed to people. You may also see them in the forests of central Mayotte or even balancing on wires in town. They are generally calm animals and always a pleasure to encounter.

Swimming with sea turtles is one of Mayotte’s signature experiences. I have never been anywhere else where it was so easy to see turtles while swimming in their natural habitat. N’Gouja Beach—the same beach where you can spot lemurs—is especially well known for this. Grab a mask and snorkel, avoid low tide, and head out to explore this remarkable underwater world. You will often encounter turtles while scuba diving as well.

A boat trip is one of the essential things to do in Mayotte. Several operators offer full-day outings across the lagoon and around the island. Everyone has their own favorite, but I particularly recommend Mayotte Découverte, Planète Bleu, or Lagon Aventure. Most trips follow a similar format, usually giving you the chance to cruise around the island and look for dolphins, manta rays, or whales when they are in season. You can also spend time sunbathing, visit beautiful beaches in the north or south, go snorkeling, and enjoy a good local meal. Depending on the operator and the tides, the day may also include a visit to the mangroves.

All right, “climbing” may be overstating it a little. Mount Choungui, the island’s second-highest peak at 594 m after Mount Benara, is accessible from the village of Choungui. Depending on your fitness level, the ascent can take around an hour. At the summit, you are rewarded with an impressive 360-degree view. I have also written a full article about “A hike to Mount Choungui”.

A meal at a brochetti is another essential Mayotte experience. I used to go once or twice a week. The setup is simple: plastic tables and chairs, with chicken wings known as mabawa, meat and fish skewers, all served with chaoula—cassava, sweet potato, and breadfruit—and poutou, a local chili sauce. You will find brochettis all over the island, ranging from very basic to more elaborate and attracting varying numbers of mzungus, the local term for foreigners. They are a great way to eat local food without spending much.

I recommend that anyone visiting Mayotte spend at least one day renting a car and driving around the island to take in the many viewpoints over the lagoon. For me, some of the finest scenery is in the north, especially the views of the M’tzamboro islets from the village of the same name. The south is equally beautiful, with the road revealing one colorful lagoon view after another.

It may sound like a simple suggestion, but if you are curious about local life and enjoy seeing how people live, a walk from central Mamoudzou to the waterfront is well worth taking. Everything is close together anyway. Set aside an hour to explore Mamoudzou Market, where you will find a little of everything: fruit, vegetables, clothing, fish, and much more. It is also a good opportunity to try fresh juice made from star fruit, soursop, and other local fruits.

Exploring Petite-Terre is another enjoyable way to spend a day in Mayotte. Start by taking the barge from Mamoudzou—yes, “barging,” after the local ferry linking the two islands, has even become a verb in Mayotte! Once there, you can walk, hitchhike, or rent a bike. Make your way around the island and take in everyday life on this small stretch of land, then end the day at Moya’s beaches in the north.

South of Mayotte lies Saziley Islet, the kind of white-sand island you might imagine in a daydream. There is not much to do besides relax with your feet in the sand. I visited several times on boat trips, sometimes aboard a friend’s boat, and once spent New Year’s Eve there. Take care if you decide to camp overnight: Mayotte has a tidal range of roughly 4 m, and seawater can cover the islet at high tide. Some of my friends have been caught out before.

Reached by what was, at the time, a bumpy road near the turnoff to the village of Vahibé, this peaceful place sits in the heart of Mayotte’s forest. It is easy to relax here, surrounded by the calls of birds and lemurs. Far from the town and its noise, this little haven is perfect for slowing down. Take a moment to enjoy a fresh juice and some homemade cake. Nature lovers looking for peace and quiet can also stay overnight or for the weekend. Here is their website!

Exploring Mayotte by quad bike gives you a different perspective on the island’s center and forests. You can rent one for a few hours and follow a guide along the inland trails. It makes a pleasant change from the beach.

Although Mayotte is better known for its beaches and diving than for its mountains, it still has several rewarding hikes. Besides Mount Choungui, mentioned above, you can climb Mount Benara, the island’s highest peak, or hike the Marches d’Acoua trail. Security concerns have sometimes been reported in these areas in recent years, so I recommend going with several people rather than hiking alone.

The final experience on my list is breakfast at Hotel Sakouli. The setting is beautiful, and you can enjoy the infinity pool overlooking the lagoon. It is a lovely place to spend a few hours.

Airfares from mainland France to Mayotte vary considerably depending on the season and how early you book. Air Austral operates direct flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Dzaoudzi on selected days, as well as connections via Réunion, while Kenya Airways offers connecting itineraries. I usually use this flight comparison site to search for cheap flights.

For accommodations in Mayotte, I personally recommend Jardin Maoré in the south of the island for its beautiful setting, Hotel Sakouli for its pool overlooking the lagoon, and La Cannelia for a peaceful stay surrounded by nature.

For more accommodation ideas, read our guide to hotels in Mayotte.

If you need a rental car, I usually compare prices on this site to look for the best available deal.

That brings us to the end of this article. I hope it has made you curious to discover this beautiful island, which will always hold a special place in my heart. Although life in Mayotte is complex, the island has no shortage of worthwhile experiences, as you can see.

If you enjoy islands with a strong African atmosphere, consider visiting the beautiful island of Ibo in Mozambique as well.

Enjoy your trip to the Indian Ocean!