The Lagoon of Mayotte

Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the African mainland, is cradled within one of the largest and most beautiful coral lagoons in the world. A vast, shimmering expanse of turquoise water, enclosed by a great barrier reef that stretches for well over a hundred kilometres, the lagoon shelters an extraordinary wealth of marine life: green and hawksbill turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and, in season, humpback whales that come to calve. A rare double-reef structure and a famous S-shaped pass add to its wonders. Superb for snorkelling, diving and boat trips, and dotted with islets and pristine beaches, the lagoon of Mayotte is a genuine Indian Ocean marine paradise.

What you'll find

• The turquoise lagoon - the vast, shimmering enclosed waters.
• The barrier reef - the great coral reef ringing the island.
• The turtles and whales - the turtles, dolphins and seasonal whales.
• The islets and beaches - the pristine offshore isles and sands.

When to go

May to October, the cooler, drier season, brings the most pleasant weather and calmest, clearest waters for snorkelling and diving, and coincides with the humpback whale season; the tropical climate is warm year-round, with a wetter, hotter season from November. Calm days are best for the lagoon.

Things to know

Mayotte is remote and less developed for tourism than some Indian Ocean islands, so its lagoon is best explored on boat trips with local operators, and facilities can be basic. As one of the largest and most beautiful coral lagoons in the world, teeming with turtles, dolphins and whales, though, the lagoon of Mayotte is a genuine and spectacular marine paradise.

Nearby

The main island, the islet of Petite-Terre and the capital Mamoudzou lie around it.