Ferries run between Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre from the quays in Mamoudzou. But the town is more than just this connection: a Sunday market, a sculpture in honour of Zena Mdéré and the Mahabou headland each make their own mark. Together, these landmarks give you a sense of Mamoudzou, where island transport, remembrance and landscape come together. When planning your trip, you can consider which of these aspects interests you most.

Ferry connection and Sunday market

Ferries run between Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre from the quays in Mamoudzou. Check the latest departure times and fares before setting off to make sure your plans match the services running on your travel day.

Every Sunday, “Les dimanches fripes” takes place in the municipality of Mamoudzou, in the car park of the covered market. Check the latest dates before visiting. The market offers a different point of reference for planning your week than the ferry connection: here, Sunday is the focus; there, it is the crossing between the two islands.

Remembrance and views

A sculpture in honour of Zena Mdéré stands opposite Mamoudzou’s central roundabout. She was an important figure in the struggle for Mayotte to remain part of the French Republic. The dedication connects a specific feature of the urban landscape with the history of Mayotte.

The Mahabou headland offers a beautiful view of the bay. Pointe Mahabou is also mentioned as a viewpoint in connection with the waterfront redevelopment project: according to the project description, the lagoon and the town of Mamoudzou can be explored from the heights. The project also mentions an educational walk about terrestrial habitats.

Mayotte in a broader context

Across Mayotte as a whole, other natural and cultural highlights complement the sights of Mamoudzou. The Îlot M’Bouzi National Nature Reserve was established by ministerial decree on 26 January 2007. The MuMA, Musée de Mayotte, has established itself through regular exhibitions at the Caserne de Dzaoudzi on Petite-Terre.

Mayotte’s lagoon also offers a range of activities, including recreational boating and anchoring, recreational fishing, diving, snorkelling, marine wildlife watching and other water sports. Spending time on the coast is another option. On Mayotte, the barge connects Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre; the crossing takes about 15 minutes and is used daily by Mahorais.

On Petite-Terre, Lac Dziani is a volcanic crater lake. A marked circular trail goes around the lake and takes about an hour. At low tide, a small path leads to the Vasière des Badamiers. The two routes therefore offer different considerations for planning: an approximate duration is given for the lake circuit, while the tide determines access to the path to the Vasière.

Further landscape highlights lie in the south of Mayotte: at 594 metres, Mont Choungui is the island’s second-highest peak. N’Gouja Beach is considered a favourite haunt of the makis; Mayotte’s best-known mangrove is in Baie de Bouéni. These regional examples complement the sights of the lagoon and Petite-Terre with mountains, coastline and mangroves.

Discover more destinations: Mamoudzou, Dembeni, Dzaoudzi, Bandrele

Return to the main travel overview: Mayotte.