Mamoudzou, capital city of Mayotte

Mamoudzou is the capital city of Mayotte

The Mayotte Islands are known for their breathtaking natural splendor and unique plant and animal life. The capital of Mamoudzou lies on the main island of Grand Terre, and visitors there quickly feel at home thanks to the relaxing atmosphere and friendly people.

The island is blessed with some of the region's most spectacular beaches. Opportunities for water sports abound, and you can spend days exploring the waters through spearfishing, diving, sailing, angling and snorkeling. The beaches give way to coral reefs thriving with exotic marine life and incredibly beautiful lagoons waiting to be explored by boat or canoe. The waters are bursting with flora and fauna, and the shallow waters make the coast of Mayotte a true hotspot for studies of underwater life. You can also take boat trips to spot whales or explore the southern coasts to see exotic sea turtles. If you just crave pure relaxation, lay on the warm sands of the Salou, Ngoudja and Moya beaches.

Mayotte's terrain is marked by deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks. The landscape's sheer beauty never becomes a bore to explore, and the warm climate makes for ideal hiking conditions year-round. If you are truly adventurous, there are many peaks to traverse, including the 660-meter tall Mount Benara, 572-meter Mount Mtsapere and a variety of smaller summits, including Choungui, Hachiroungou, Dziani Bole and Mount Combani. You can also take an afternoon to explore the islet of Pamandzi, where emerald green waters fill a deep volcanic crater.

The best time to visit Mayotte and Mamoudzou is from May to November when the weather is relatively cool and dry. From November through May, the northeastern monsoons are always a threat, and the weather tends to be hot and humid.

Mamoudzou is surrounded by six villages: Kaweni, Tsoundzou I, Tsoundzou II, Vahibe, Mtsapere and Passamainti. Spend a day soaking in the laid-back lifestyle and getting to know the friendly locals in the villages, and be sure to sample some traditional dishes. The cuisine of Mayotte is a fascinating and delicious mix of Indian, French, Creole, Arabic and African influences, resulting in dishes enhanced by an array of exotic flavors and spices. Seafood reigns, and some of the best local dishes include coconut milk-covered smoked swordfish or crab. Other specialties to sample include sambos pastries stuffed with spices and beef, bean and squash soup and chicken curry. After dinner, indulge in a traditional dessert made from the islands' mouthwatering selection of tropical fruit, including guava, mangoes and sour apples.