Mamoudzou & north

Grande-Terre — called Maore in Shimaore — is Mayotte's main island (363 km²), 40 km long and 20 km wide. Its eroded volcanic relief culminates at 660 metres at Mount Bénara and 594 metres at Mount Choungui, an emblematic sugarloaf-shaped peak visible from the entire south of the island. The centre is covered with agricultural plantations (cassava, banana, ylang-ylang, vanilla), while the coasts alternate white sand beaches (Mtsamboro, Saziley, Bandrélé), black sand beaches of volcanic origin (east coast) and dense mangroves (Bouéni and Tsingoni bays).

Mamoudzou, the prefecture, concentrates most of the population (about 70,000 inhabitants intra-muros, over 100,000 with the suburbs) and most of the island's administrative, commercial and hospital services. It is a rapidly changing city, marked by strong demographic and migratory pressure, with its colourful markets (covered market, fish market at the port), shops and popular neighbourhoods. The Mahabou point, south of the city, offers a seaside promenade and a view of Petite-Terre. The crossing to Petite-Terre and the airport is by ferry (15 minutes) from Mamoudzou.

The north of Grande-Terre — communes of Mtsamboro, Acoua, Mtsangamouji — is one of the most beautiful sectors of the island. The beaches of Mtsamboro are among the most beautiful, lined with coconut trees, facing Mtsamboro islet and Choizil islet (about 2 km offshore) accessible by pirogue or boat for exceptional snorkelling days. The region grows ylang-ylang (world's second-largest producer) and houses several traditional distilleries open for visits. The northern Mahoran villages (Acoua, M'tsahara, Hamjago) preserve a traditional way of life with their colourful bangas, palm-roof mosques and cob dwellings.

The south of Grande-Terre — communes of Bouéni, Chirongui, Kani-Kéli, Bandrélé — is even more rural and preserved. The Saziley beach, at the end of a track in the namesake nature reserve, is one of Mayotte's most spectacular sites: white sand, snorkelling with turtles, palm trees in the background, few people. The Bandrélé beach, more accessible, is known for its beach huts and turtle sightings. The mangrove is also very dense here (3,000 hectares, the richest in the western Indian Ocean). Mount Choungui can be climbed in 2-3 hours round trip from the village of the same name, for a 360° panorama over the entire south of the island.