Holiday in Mamoudzou

About Mamoudzou

Mamoudzou is the capital of Mayotte, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique — making it the youngest region of the European Union. The city on the island of Grande-Terre offers a unique blend of French administration, Comorian culture, and one of the most spectacular marine environments in the world. Mayotte's greatest treasure lies underwater: The island is surrounded by the largest closed lagoon in the world — 1,500 km² of turquoise water, protected by a double barrier reef. In the lagoon, sea turtles (Green and Hawksbill turtles), humpback whales (August-October), dolphins, and mantas swim. Mamoudzou itself is a lively market town: The Marche Couvert offers tropical fruits, spices, Ylang-Ylang essences (Mayotte is an important producer), and Comorian handicrafts. The Barge, a ferry, connects Mamoudzou with Petite-Terre and the airport — the daily crossing is an experience with views of the lagoon. The lemurs (Makis) of Mayotte are unique: The Brown Maki is the island's symbolic animal and can be observed in the mangroves and forests around Mamoudzou. Mont Combani and the hiking trails in the interior of the island lead through Ylang-Ylang plantations and tropical vegetation.