Making the most of Dzaoudzi Mayotte
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships anchor offshore and their tenders take guests to Mamoudzou on Grande Terre island. The town centre is a short walk from the pier and easy to explore. Taxi vehicles are usually available for inland trips or beach visits; many are converted small pickups with benches in the rear, and few cars have air conditioning.
Dzaoudzi is a commune in Mayotte, the French overseas collectivity in the Indian Ocean. Dzaoudzi, sometimes called Dzaoudzi-Labattoir, comprises the twin towns of Dzaoudzi and Labattoir on small Petite-Terre, or Pamanzi. It was Mayotte's capital until 1977, when the capital moved to Mamoudzou on Grande-Terre (Mahoré), Mayotte's main island.
Getting around
Comoros is among the world's poorest countries and consists of three islands with inadequate transport connections.
Bush taxis ("taxi brousse") are the simplest way to travel around Mayotte, costing a few euros for a trip around the island.
Nearby places
Diving is excellent, with spectacular sights in the world's largest lagoon.
Sea turtles roost on the southern beaches.
From August-September, humpback whales and their calves can be seen in the lagoon.
Food and shopping
Do not eat local food unless it has been thoroughly cooked. One island speciality is "Djak", a large green fruit about 1.5 - 2 feet long that tastes like lychee.
Malaria, including cerebral malaria, is common in the Comoros.
Comoros is a relatively liberal Muslim country, but it is disrespectful for women to show shoulders, much of the chest, knees, and particularly the stomach and lower back. Shirts or shawls should cover those areas. Foreign non-Muslim women are not expected to cover their heads. Local women swim fully dressed; foreigners need not do this, but shorts and a swimming shirt are more respectful than a bikini or topless swimming. Men should wear shorts below the knee, although this is less offensive than for women. Public affection between men and women is unacceptable, though one may rarely see a…
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Staying connected
Major languages are Arabic, French and Comoran, a blend of Swahili and Arabic.