Mayotte is a French overseas department and region in the Indian Ocean, situated between Madagascar and the northern tip of Mozambique. Comprising Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre (Pamanzi) plus several islets, it is home to one of the world's largest coral lagoons, abundant marine life including green turtles and humpback whales, volcanic highland forests, and a vibrant Comorian-influenced culture. The island became France's 101st department in 2011 and uses the euro, making it accessible for French and European visitors while retaining an authentically remote tropical character.
Mayotte has a tropical climate with two main seasons: a hot, wet season (November–April) dominated by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone bringing heavy rainfall and cyclone risk, and a cooler, drier season (May–October) with trade winds, clear skies, and calmer seas. Average year-round temperatures range from 24°C to 32°C (~75–90°F). Sea temperatures stay between 24°C and 29°C (~75–84°F) year-round, making swimming and snorkeling comfortable at all times.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
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The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
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Dry Season (Kashkazi) (Cooler southeast trade winds (Kashkazi) bring dry weather and calm seas. Best for snorkeling, diving, hiking, and whale watching. Sea visibility 20–30 m.), Wet Season (Kusi) (Southwest monsoon (Kusi) brings heavy rainfall, high humidity, and cyclone risk. Lagoon water may become murky. Some roads flood.)
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
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- Period
- July–August
- Crowd level
- High
- Note
- French school holidays; whale season; prices at peak
- Period
- April–June
- Crowd level
- Low
- Note
- Excellent conditions, fewer tourists, better prices
- Period
- September–October
- Crowd level
- Medium
- Note
- Still dry; whales early October; good value
- Period
- November–March
- Crowd level
- Low
- Note
- Off-season; some venues close; weather unpredictable
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Hundreds of humpback whales enter Mayotte's lagoon to calve and breed; the largest whale-watching event in the Indian Ocean
Green turtles nest nightly on N'Gouja and surrounding beaches
Celebration of Mahorais music, dance, and cuisine in Mamoudzou
French national day celebrated with parades and fireworks in Mamoudzou and Dzaoudzi