I lived almost 4 years on this small island lost in the Indian Ocean, wedged between Madagascar and the African continent. The island of Mayotte, Little Africa, as it is sometimes called, remains an endearing French territory, far away from the crowds of tourists and which has kept its values and its soul. If you have the opportunity to go there one day, don’t hesitate. The island will delight all lovers of diving, lagoons, white sand, coconut trees, superb reefs, but also all travelers in search of authenticity!
The island of Mayotte
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The island of Mayotte is actually composed of two main islands: Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre (where the airport is located). Other islands or islets (volcanic or white sand) can be found all around on the reef or in the lagoon. The capital is the city of Mamoudzou.
AFormerly an Overseas Territory until 2011, this island territory became an Overseas Department – DOM (like Reunion Island, Guyana, Martinique and Guadeloupe), in 2011, following a referendum.
Today the population is mainly Mahorese, Comorian and Malagasy. The main language is Shimaore, a derivative of Swahili, which is spoken in much of East Africa. The main activity remains food agriculture (cassava, breadfruit, etc.).
Today the island is famous for its coral beds, corals, mangroves, makis (lemurs), sea turtle nests and huge baobabs.
However, even if the island remains in my eyes a real paradise on earth, it is impossible not to talk about the recurring problems on the island: illegal immigration of Comorians, delinquency, urban violence, deportation of undocumented migrants, etc… It is a reality of the island that one must know before planning a trip to Mayotte. It is a complex island from every point of view.
Living today in French Polynesia (at the time of writing these lines), I have a little hindsight on my experience and the years I spent in Mayotte. So no, Mayotte is far from being the Seychelles and the coconut white sandy beaches all year round. But besides the complexity of the island, I especially remember the kindness of the Mahorans, their sense of welcome, their openness, and above all, an authentic island, “real” as I like to call it.
I love this African atmosphere, I loved visiting Tanzania during my photo safari and traveling to Mozambique to discover the island of Ibo. Africa is a special continent, and the island of Mayotte for me is clearly part of it!
In any case, if you plan to go on a trip to the island of Mayotte, don’t hesitate, it’s a very good life and human experience. To begin, I will present you the things to do on the island of Mayotte. Other articles will follow for sure!
Have a nice trip.
