The Sea Turtles of Mayotte

Mayotte is one of the finest places in the Indian Ocean to encounter sea turtles, above all the green turtle, which thrives in the seagrass meadows of its vast lagoon and nests on its protected beaches. At beaches such as N'Gouja in the south, snorkellers can swim gently alongside turtles grazing peacefully in the shallow, clear water, an accessible and magical experience, while at wilder, protected beaches like Saziley, females haul ashore under cover of darkness to lay their eggs in the sand, and hatchlings later scramble to the sea. Careful conservation protects these ancient mariners and their nesting sites. To watch a turtle glide through the turquoise water or nest on a golden beach is one of Mayotte's most unforgettable natural experiences.

What you actually see

• The grazing turtles - the green turtles in the shallow lagoon.
• N'Gouja beach - the beach for snorkelling with turtles.
• The nesting beaches - the protected sands where turtles nest.
• The hatchlings - the young turtles making for the sea.

When to go

May to October, the cooler, drier season, offers the calmest, clearest water for snorkelling with turtles and pleasant beach conditions, though turtles graze the lagoon year-round and nesting occurs across seasons. Early morning and quiet times are best for respectful encounters.

Honest expectations

Turtle encounters depend on nature and should always be respectful, keeping a distance and never disturbing nesting females or hatchlings, and the best nesting beaches are protected and wild. As one of the finest places in the Indian Ocean to swim with grazing green turtles and witness them nesting on golden sands, though, Mayotte offers genuinely unforgettable and magical wildlife experiences.

Nearby

The lagoon, the southern beaches and Mount Choungui lie nearby.