Mayotte
A French overseas department in the Indian Ocean with a world-class coral-ringed lagoon, where you can watch turtles, whales and dolphins.
Mayotte lies at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, part of the Comoro Islands. It became a French overseas department in 2011 and consists mainly of two islands, Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre. A coral reef encircling the island encloses a vast lagoon, a haven for snorkeling, diving and watching turtles and dolphins, and humpback whales may also appear in winter. The island has volcanic lakes, red-earth hills and a culture blending African, Islamic and French influences. The best time to visit is the dry season from May to October, and the gateway is Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi Airport on Petite-Terre.