Grande-Terre is Mayotte's main island — 363 km² of eroded volcanic relief, varied beaches, dense mangroves and Mahoran villages where 95% of the archipelago's population lives. It is here that the prefecture (Mamoudzou), the best beaches (Saziley, Mtsamboro, Bandrélé), the emblematic peaks (Mount Choungui, Mount Bénara) and the ylang-ylang distilleries that made the island's world reputation are found.
The geographical diversity is remarkable for an island of this size. The north concentrates the most beautiful white sand beaches and the paradise islets accessible by pirogue. The centre is rural and agricultural, with ylang-ylang and vanilla plantations, and the oldest mosque in France (Tsingoni mosque, 1538). The south shelters the densest mangrove in the western Indian Ocean, Saziley beach and Mount Choungui.
For a first trip (4-6 days on Grande-Terre), we recommend this sequence: 1 day Mamoudzou, 2 days north (Mtsamboro, Choizil islet), 2 days south (Saziley, Bandrélé, Mount Choungui), 1 day mangrove by pirogue.
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- Mamoudzou, the prefecture — Mayotte's administrative and economic capital: markets, Mahabou point, Mahoran urban life.
- Mtsamboro and the north — Northern beaches, Choizil islet and ylang-ylang distilleries.
- Saziley, the turtle beach — The most beautiful beach in the south: snorkelling with turtles, white sand, palm trees.
- Petite-Terre — The satellite island and former capital: Dzaoudzi, Lac Dziani, Moya beach.