Roughly halfway between Madagascar and the Mozambique coast, Mayotte boasts all of the allure you’d expect from a tropical island.
It’s encircled by a coral barrier reef, which protects one of the world’s largest lagoons. You can go snorkelling or scuba diving in the lagoon, which shelters thousands of colourful fish, or watch sea turtles nesting on the southern beaches. You may even spot humpback whales calving off the south shore during summer.
Inland, the foothills of Mont Choungui are packed with hiking trails. Follow one to the summit and be rewarded with stunning views over the Comoros Islands to the west. Other forest reserves on the island include Majimbini and Songoro Mbili, home to wildlife such as lemurs and makis.
Though the island is officially recognised as a French region, the warm and friendly Mayotte culture is closely related to neighbouring Comoros.
You’ll find a selection of hotels, lodges and private homes to rent along the eastern coastline of Mayotte’s main island, Grand-Terre. Accommodation on the smaller island of Petite-Terre is very limited.
