Grande-Terre is visited essentially between June and October, in dry season. Temperatures 24-29°C, more bearable humidity (60-70%), clear sky, calm turquoise lagoon. It is the ideal season for beaches, snorkelling, hiking and boat outings to the islets.
July to October is the humpback whale season — although observation is at sea from boat trips, the entire island is in effervescence with providers. It is also the high tourist season (July-August school holidays, Christmas), with hotels and rentals expensive and rare.
The rainy season (November to May) is frankly not recommended for a first trip. Torrential rains, suffocating humidity (80-90%), sometimes cut roads, inaccessible beaches, cyclone risk (Cyclone Chido in December 2024 strongly marked the island).
The shoulder months of May and November offer a compromise: more stable weather, gentler airfares, fewer people. May is probably the best month for a first discovery trip.
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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.