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Mayotte is a tiny island on the azure blue Indian Ocean that decided to remain with the French even after the neighboring archipelago declared their independence in 1974. Famed for its beaches, it offers an unusual chocolate colored one with an 8m high white cascading waterfall as backdrop! How’s that for gorgeous earthy colors created as far back as earth began?

Mayotte is never short of exciting things to do if you are a water-enthusiast. You could go diving, underwater swimming alongside the coral reefs or take a trip on a glass-bottomed boat to see the exotic fish!

Historically Speaking

Invaded in the early 19th century by the Sakalava people of Madagascar, Mayotte came under the rule of the Malagasy chief, Andriansouli, for a number of years before being handed over to the French who were looking for a naval base in the western Indian Ocean area in 1843. The Creole planters from Reunion were the next to dominate the island. Mayotte was made a colony of France in 1912. By this time, the separatist movement leader, Populaire Mahorais, was pressing for full incorporation with France, and they won a narrow victory in the referendum of 1974. When the other islands of Comoros declared independence in 1975, France regained control of Mayotte, which has become an important base for French influence in the region. The status of the island remains undecided since France refuses to let go off Mayotte. This has, however, not stopped the United Nations and the Organization for African Unity to recognize this country as part of the Country of Comoros.

Habitat

Mayotte is an island with an abundance of mountainous terrain and a beautifully aligned coastline. The highest mountain, Mt Benara, stands out at 660m. The island is surrounded by coral reefs, which means that the island is rich in marine life and provides extensive protected anchorage within the lagoons.