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
The ships will be anchored. Guests will be taken ashore via the ship's tenders to Mamoudzou on Grande Terre island. The town center is a short walk from the pier and can be easily explored. A variety of vehicles is usually available for taxi services if you wish to venture inland or to one of the beaches. Many are converted small pickups with benches in the back. There are few cars with air conditioning.
Dzaoudzi is a commune in the French overseas collectivity of Mayotte, in the Indian Ocean. The commune of Dzaoudzi (sometimes called Dzaoudzi-Labattoir), made up of the twin towns of Dzaoudzi and Labattoir, is located on the small island of Petite-Terre (or Pamanzi). It was previously the capital of Mayotte, but the capital was relocated in 1977 to Mamoudzou, on the island of Grande-Terre (Mahoré), the main island of Mayotte.
Getting around
One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links.
The easiest way to get around Mayotte is with bush taxis ("taxi brousse") who will take you around the island for a few euros.
Nearby places
Diving is great. Expect spectacular sights in the world's largest lagoon.
Sea turtles come to roost on the southern beaches.
In August-September, humpback whales can be found with their calves in the lagoon
Food and shopping
Visitors are advised not to eat any of the local food unless it has been cooked through. One specialty available on the island is the "Djak", a large, green fruit (about 1.5 - 2 feet in length) with a taste resembling lychee.
Malaria, including cerebral malaria, is prevalent in the Comoros.
Although the Comoros are a rather liberal Muslim country, it is disrespectful for women to expose their shoulders, much of their chest, knees, and especially stomach and lower back. Wear shirts or shawls that cover these areas. Locals will not expect foreign, non-Muslim women to cover their heads. When swimming, local women are fully dressed. Foreigners are not expected to do this, but shorts and a swimming shirt are more respectful than a bikini or topless swimming. Men should wear shorts below the knee, though this is less offensive than a woman doing so. Public affection between men and women is not acceptable, though one may rarely see a…
Money
Euro
Staying connected
Major languages: Arabic, French, Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)