Mayotte - Gheos Worldguide

Mayotte (Maore)

Maore is the Comoran name for Mayotte, the only group of islands in the Comoros archipelago that are not part of the Comoros, but remain a territorial collectivity of France. People first arrived in Mayotte from eastern Africa and in 1500 the first sultanate was established there. Mayotte was purchased by France in 1841 and in 1885, France took control over the entire Comoros archipelago. After independence was granted to Comoros in 1975, the Mahorais (as natives of Mayotte are known) voted in a referendum to stay French, bringing them many financial and political advantages. Mayotte has the only deep-water harbor in the archipelago.

Mayotte consists of three islands: Grande Terre, or Maore, is the largest and is the location of the prefecture of Mamoudzou; Pamandzi, also known as Petit-Terre, is much smaller; and Dzaoudzi, which is not much more than an oversized rock and which is connected to Petit Terre by a highway. The town of Dzaoudzi is the former capital of Mayotte.

On Mayotte you won't see as many winding streets, medinas or mosques like in the rest of the Comoros. Most streets in the territory's towns are wide and open with the houses lined neatly along them. The island's beaches feature black, brown, gray, red, beige and white sand.

Mayotte is geologically the oldest of the islands in the archipelago, so the coral reefs are more developed then those around the other islands. This makes Mayotte the most popular place for fishing, diving and boating. You will find that most businesses on the islands will have somehow to do with either of those activities. Because of the many tourists visiting, prices are fairly high.

There are many places of interest in Mayotte and a variety of activities is available.

Places of interest

The Governor's house.
MuMa, or the Museum of Mayotte, is located on the island of Dzaoudzi. it is labeled Musée de France.
The Badamiers mudflat is located in Petite-Terre. It is a marsh that is rich in biodiversity and features a varied landscape.
several shipwrecks lie in the ocean in front of the >Badamiers mudflat. They include the sailing schooner Dwyn Wen, of which two masts can still be seen sticking out of the water.
The extinct volcano of Dziani Dzaha is on Petite-Terre. The volcano lake is called lake Dziani.
Mount Choungui.
Mount Combani.
The Soulou waterfall is on Soulou beach.

Activities

Bivouacs on deserted islets can be arranged.
The coral reefs around the islands are exscellent for scuba-diving and snorkelling. The best places are at Passe en S, N'Gouja, Saziley or the outer barrier.
Mayotte's lagoon is a good place to observe green and hawksbill turtles. They come ashore on deserted beached to lay their eggs. Dolphins and whales can also be seen in the lagoon.
Trips to the M'Bouzy islet where you can see maki lemurs.
Microlight tours of Mayotte are an excellent way of seeing the islands' reefs from above.
Nautical activities are available on many of Mayotte's beaches.

Mayotte can be reached by air and by ship. Most vessels are booked full well in advance, so be in time if you choose that option. Moroni, the capital of Comoros is about 150 km from Mamoudzou.

Mayotte is located in the northern part of the Mozambique Channel, northwest from Madagascar.

In December 2024 the island was devastated by cyclone Chido.

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