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Territory of France

Eastern Africa

MayotteTravel guide

Explore Mayotte visa rules

Mayotte is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique. It is a French overseas department. Most people live on Grande-Terre, across a narrow channel from Petite-Terre.

Why go

  1. Views from the volcanic peak of Mt Choungui.

  2. Scuba diving in a large lagoon surrounded by a reef.

  3. Humpback whales and their calves in August and September.

  4. Sea turtles on southern beaches throughout the year.

  5. Common brown lemurs in quiet forests.

Best time to go: April to October. Rain and mud are the main seasonal concerns; the wet season runs from November to May.

Getting there

By air

  • Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi Airport is at the southern tip of Petite-Terre. Allow about an hour by taxi and ferry to reach Mamoudzou.
  • There are no direct flights from Europe or the Middle East. Routes from Paris connect through Saint-Denis on Réunion, while routes from Amsterdam connect through Nairobi.
  • Air Austral flies from Saint-Denis, with a flight time of 70 minutes. Kenya Airways flies from Nairobi, taking 2 hours 30 minutes.

By sea

  • SGTM runs a ferry from Mutsamudu on Anjouan, Comoros, to Dzaoudzi. The crossing takes 3 hours and runs four days a week.
  • From Moroni on Grand Comoros, change ferries at Mutsamudu.

Getting around

  • Ferry

    La Barge carries cars and foot passengers between Mamoudzou on Grande-Terre and Dzaoudzi on Petite-Terre. The crossing takes 15 minutes. It runs every 30 minutes from 06:00 to 20:00, then hourly through the night. Use Gare Maritime in Mamoudzou and Issoufali in Dzaoudzi.

  • Shared taxis

    Shared taxis, called taxi brousse or bush taxis, connect the main settlements. You can hire one for a few hours to visit sights without navigating the roads yourself.

  • Rental car

    Europcar has desks at the airport and Mamoudzou Gare Maritime. Drive on the right. Avoid driving after dark and check road conditions before leaving. Keep doors locked and windows closed because attacks on motorists occur.

What to see and do

  • Common brown lemurs

    These lemurs were introduced to Mayotte. You may spot them in quiet forests.

  • Humpback whales

    Whales give birth in the lagoon in August and September. Boat trips can show you mothers with their calves.

  • Sea turtles

    Sea turtles rest on the southern beaches throughout the year.

  • Hike Mt Choungui

    This distinctive volcanic cone in the south reaches 593 metres. Its summit has better views than Benara, the island's highest peak.

  • Go scuba diving

    A reef surrounds a huge lagoon. Five or six coastal dive centres offer courses, equipment hire and dives.

  • Watch sport at Complexe de Kawani

    This venue in Mamoudzou hosts Mayotte's football team and other events.

Food and drink

  • Mamoudzou

    The capital has the best options within Mayotte's limited choice of places to eat.

  • Local produce

    Bananas, manioc and fish are inexpensive local foods.

  • Eating during Ramadan

    Some eating places may close during the day because there are fewer customers.

  • Bars and cafes

    Mamoudzou has a couple of separate bars. Elsewhere, cafes are the main places to have a drink.

  • Tap water

    The source gives conflicting advice: the World Health Organization says tap water is safe in 93% of the country, while the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is unsafe.

Money

Euro (€), currency code EUR.

  • Local bananas, manioc and fish are inexpensive.
  • Imported dairy products and manufactured goods are expensive.

Typical costs

  • In 2022, the airport taxi to the ferry pier cost €5.60 during daytime Monday to Saturday, or €8.20 on Sundays and at night.
  • In 2022, a single La Barge ticket cost €0.75 for a foot passenger or €15 for a car.
  • In 2022, an adult single ferry ticket from Mutsamudu to Dzaoudzi cost €185.

Language

  • French is the official language. Younger people are more likely to understand it.
  • Mahorian, a form of Swahili, is more commonly spoken.
  • Malagasy is also more commonly spoken.

Staying safe

  • Mayotte has high levels of urban crime and gang violence. Take great care when travelling.
  • Sudden roadblocks, stone-throwing and attacks on motorists occur. Check road conditions before setting out.
  • Avoid driving after dark. Keep car doors locked and windows closed.
  • Traffic is a major hazard, especially on muddy streets with poor lighting.

Local customs

Do

  • Be aware that about 90% of the population is Muslim and follows a fairly relaxed form of Islam.
  • Allow for daytime restaurant closures during Ramadan. Its dates move 11 to 12 days earlier each year.

Staying healthy

  • Check that your health or travel insurance covers Mayotte. Cover for France or the European Union does not automatically include it.
  • There is a hospital in Mamoudzou. A serious illness may require medical evacuation to Europe.
  • Malaria risk is low. Take precautions against mosquito bites, such as wearing long sleeves; preventive malaria medicine is not recommended in the source.
  • Seek medical attention promptly if you develop a fever.

Phone and internet

  • If you use a mobile service based in the European Union, check whether your provider includes Mayotte in its roaming area.
  • As of August 2022, Only, Orange and SFR offered 4G mobile internet. Maore offered it in some areas.
  • As of August 2022, 5G mobile internet was not available.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation facilities are poor and choices are limited.
  • There are a couple of hotels in Mamoudzou and a couple more near the airport on Petite-Terre.
  • Mayotte has no beach resort hotels.
  • Take great care with Airbnb offers. Many people live in informal settlements with poor water, sanitation and electricity, as well as aggressive dogs.

Outdoor adventures in Mayotte

Mayotte has a large reef-fringed lagoon for scuba diving and whale-watching trips. Inland, you can hike Mount Choungui or look for lemurs in quiet forests, while southern beaches have sea turtles year-round.

  • Mayotte reef and lagoon diving

    Scuba divingAround Mayotte's coast

    Use one of the five or six dive centres around the coast. They offer courses, equipment hire and dives.

  • Mount Choungui summit hike

    HikeSouthern Mayotte

    April to October is the recommended visiting period for Mayotte.

    Hike to the summit of Mount Choungui, the distinctive volcanic cone in the south.

    • Rain and mud affect outdoor conditions, especially during the November–May wet season.
    • Check road conditions before travelling to the hike and avoid driving after dark.

  • Lagoon humpback whale watching

    WildlifeMayotte lagoon

    August to September

    Take a boat trip into the lagoon to see humpback whales with their calves.

  • Southern beaches sea turtle watching

    WildlifeSouthern Mayotte beaches

    Year-round

    Visit the southern beaches to look for sea turtles.

    • Check road conditions before setting out and avoid driving after dark.

  • Forest lemur watching

    WildlifeQuiet forest locations across Mayotte

    Look for common brown lemurs in quiet forest locations.

    • Take precautions against mosquito bites, such as wearing long sleeves.

Airports, metros and trains in Mayotte

Airports with scheduled flights

  • DZADzaoudzi Pamandzi International AirportDzaoudziMain international airport

People and safety in Mayotte

Religion

Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.

  • Muslim99%
  • Christian<1%
  • Folk religions<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 30 of 101 countries can visit Mayotte easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required29
  • Freedom of movement1
  • Visa required71

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas16 of 19 countries
  • Europe3 of 4 countries
  • Oceania7 of 14 countries
  • Asia1 of 10 countries
  • Africa3 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Mayotte part of France?

Mayotte is a territory linked to France, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit France.

Does a France visa let me visit Mayotte?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for France may not cover Mayotte. Check the Mayotte visa page for your passport.

Where is Mayotte?

Mayotte is in the Indian Ocean channel between Madagascar and Mozambique. It is a French overseas department.

When is the best time to visit?

April to October is the recommended period. Rain and mud are the main seasonal concerns.

How do I reach Mamoudzou from the airport?

Take a taxi to the ferry pier on Petite-Terre, then a ferry to Mamoudzou on Grande-Terre. Allow about an hour in total.

Can I get around without renting a car?

Shared bush taxis connect the main settlements. La Barge ferry connects Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre.

What money should I use?

Mayotte uses the euro. Local produce is inexpensive, while imported goods are expensive.

What languages do people speak?

French is official, but Mahorian and Malagasy are more commonly spoken. Younger people are more likely to understand French.

What wildlife can I see?

You may see lemurs in quiet forests and sea turtles on southern beaches year-round. Humpback whales and their calves can be seen in the lagoon in August and September.

Are there beach resort hotels?

No. Accommodation is limited to a few hotels in Mamoudzou and on Petite-Terre near the airport.

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