Pouhou and the Îlots de Dembéni

On Pouhou, the small rocky island is a nesting site for the white-tailed tropicbird, the only seabird that breeds on Mayotte. Its population is estimated at around 100 pairs.

The Îlots de Dembéni, also known as Îlots Hajangoua, comprise Pouhou, Pengoua and Kolo Issa. Their shapes distinguish the three islands: Pouhou is the small rocky island, while Pengoua and Kolo Issa are elongated. A fringing reef connects the two elongated islands. The group therefore features not just one island shape, but clearly distinct forms and a connection between two of its islands.

Traces of the sugar factories

In Hajangoua, the remains of a sugar factory and its tall chimneys bear witness to the agricultural past of the commune of Dembeni.

In Dembeni, paths pass the remains of former sugar factories and continue to Iloni Beach. History and coast thus come together in a single route description: the factory remains lie along the way, and Iloni Beach is the destination. This offers a different perspective for your explorations than Pouhou: here, the focus is on paths, traces of earlier use and a beach as the endpoint; there, on island shape and a seabird nesting site.

Mayotte in a wider context

Mayotte also has natural and cultural features that broaden the view beyond Dembeni. The Îlot M’Bouzi National Nature Reserve was established by ministerial decree on 26 January 2007. MuMA, the Musée de Mayotte, is a project for a departmental museum launched in 2015 and is currently in the preparatory phase. MuMA has established itself through regular exhibitions at the Caserne de Dzaoudzi on Petite-Terre. Other places on Mayotte also showcase different natural features. Mont Choungui, in the south of Mayotte, is the island’s second-highest peak at 594 metres. N’Gouja Beach is considered a favourite place for makis to spend time; Mayotte’s best-known mangrove is in Baie de Bouéni. Together, these examples highlight three different natural features: a peak, a beach where makis like to spend time, and a mangrove landscape.

Petite-Terre is also home to Lac Dziani, a volcanic crater lake. Its circular route follows a marked path and takes about an hour. At low tide, a small path leads to the Vasière des Badamiers.

The Barge connects Petite-Terre with Grande-Terre. The crossing takes about 15 minutes and is used daily by Mahorais. Check the latest timetable details before travelling. Other activities mentioned in Mayotte’s lagoon include recreational boating, anchoring, recreational fishing, diving, snorkelling, observing marine life, other water sports and spending time on the coast.

Discover more destinations: Ongojou, Mamoudzou, Bandrele, Dzaoudzi, Mamoudzou.

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