Mayotte

Mayotte is France's newest overseas department, a small volcanic archipelago in the northern Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and Mozambique. Consisting of two main islands — Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre — and about thirty islets, Mayotte chose to remain French when the other Comoros islands declared independence in 1975. It officially became France's 101st department in 2011, making it the European Union's outermost region in the Indian Ocean.

With a population of roughly 320,000 on just 374 km², Mayotte is one of France's most densely populated departments and also its poorest. But what it lacks in material wealth it more than compensates for in natural beauty: the island sits inside one of the world's largest enclosed lagoons (1,500 km²), surrounded by a barrier reef that hosts spectacular coral gardens, manta rays, sea turtles, and humpback whales from July through October. The culture is a fascinating blend of French administration, Comorian Swahili traditions, and Islamic heritage — the only French department with a Muslim majority.

Mayotte's lagoon is its crown jewel — one of the largest and most biodiverse enclosed lagoons on Earth. The double barrier reef creates a protected marine paradise teeming with over 760 fish species, 300 coral species, green and hawksbill sea turtles, spinner dolphins, dugongs (one of the last populations in the western Indian Ocean), and seasonal visits from humpback whales who come to breed and calve in the warm waters between June and October.

Snorkeling and diving here are world-class yet virtually unknown compared to the Maldives or Great Barrier Reef. The S-shaped pass at Passe en S is legendary among divers for its concentration of large pelagic fish and manta rays. The island of Saziley on the southern tip offers some of the best turtle-watching in the Indian Ocean — green turtles nest on its beaches year-round.

Mayotte's population is predominantly Comorian, speaking Shimaore (a Swahili dialect) and Kibushi (a Malagasy language) alongside French. Islam is the dominant religion, practiced by over 95% of the population, giving Mayotte a unique character within France. The manzaraka (traditional wedding celebration) is the island's most important social event, lasting several days with feasting, dancing, and elaborate ceremonies.

Traditional M'biwi dances, performed with wooden sticks, accompany most celebrations. Women often wear the salouva, a colorful printed cloth wrap, and apply m'sindzano — a paste of ground sandalwood and coral — to their faces as both beauty treatment and sun protection. The cuisine blends Indian Ocean, African, and French influences: mataba (cassava leaves cooked in coconut milk), mabawa (spiced fried chicken wings), and fresh tropical fruits are staples.

Mayotte has no wine production. The French overseas department in the Comoros archipelago (Indian Ocean) is predominantly Muslim (97%), and alcohol consumption is culturally discouraged though legally available. Ylang-ylang (the island's famous fragrant flower) flavours some local preparations. French wines are imported but rarely consumed by the local Mahorais population. Trembo (locally distilled coconut spirit) exists in the informal economy.

Getting There: Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport (DZA) on Petite-Terre receives flights from Paris (via Réunion or Nairobi), Réunion, Madagascar, and Kenya. The barge between Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre runs frequently and is the main commuter link.

Getting Around: Shared taxis (taxi-brousse) are the main public transport. Roads are improving but traffic congestion in Mamoudzou is notorious. Car rental is available but driving can be challenging. Boat tours for lagoon exploration are the main tourist activity.

Best Time: The dry season (May–October) is most pleasant with cooler temperatures and whale-watching season. The wet season (November–April) brings cyclone risk and heavy rains but warmer water for diving. Sea turtles nest year-round.

Budget: Prices reflect French department status — significantly more expensive than neighboring Comoros or Madagascar. Hotels range from €60–200/night. Dining out costs €15–40/meal. Dive trips run about €40–60 per dive.

Safety: Mayotte faces social challenges including illegal immigration from Comoros, occasional civil unrest, and limited infrastructure. Check current advisories before traveling. The lagoon is safe for swimming but be aware of currents in passes.

Mayotte remains one of the least-photographed French territories. Share your images: photos@kaufmann.wtf

Mayotte is one of those places that challenges your assumptions. It is simultaneously France and not-France, European and African, Islamic and secular. The lagoon is genuinely extraordinary — the kind of marine environment that would draw thousands of divers if it were in Southeast Asia. Instead, it remains largely unknown, protected as much by its obscurity as by any regulation.

The island faces real challenges: poverty, illegal immigration pressure from neighboring Comoros, strained infrastructure, and the tensions that come with being a fragment of Europe embedded in one of the world's poorest regions. But the warmth of the people, the spectacular underwater world, and the cultural richness make Mayotte a destination that rewards the curious traveler willing to look beyond the usual French overseas clichés.

— Radim Kaufmann, Kaufmann World Travel Factbook