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Mayotte🇾🇹 | festivalsFestival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de MayotteReef films, underwater photo prints, diver talks, lagoon snorkel | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte
👌 Worth visitingfestival ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Most screenings and exhibitions at the Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte are held on land, so you can watch the reef on a big screen in the morning and swim over it the same afternoon. The festival takes place in Mamoudzou, on the main island of Mayotte, the lagoon-ringed French territory in the Comoros archipelago. Expect underwater film and photography, talks from divers and marine naturalists, and a crowd that mixes local dive-club members, photographers, teachers and curious travelers. The mood is relaxed and a little sticky, with ceiling fans turning, flip-flops on concrete and the smell of salt and sunscreen. Rooms fill with chatter in French and Shimaore. It is worth the trip if you care about reefs, turtles and whales, less so if you want a party. Start with a lagoon snorkel to get your eyes tuned, then settle into the first evening screening.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 festival in MayotteWhat makes it a must-see festival

The Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte gives you a reason to look properly at what is under the water around the island. Mayotte sits inside one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world, ringed by a double barrier reef, and the festival turns that setting into a program of films, photos and conversations. You hear from people who actually dive these passes, so your own snorkeling and dive days afterward make far more sense.

The other pull is the community. Because the event is small, you end up chatting with photographers, local guides and conservation volunteers in the same queue for the same screening. Those conversations are how backpackers learn which beaches have nesting turtles, which operators run careful whale encounters and where to get a boat without a … read more 👉
The Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte gives you a reason to look properly at what is under the water around the island. Mayotte sits inside one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world, ringed by a double barrier reef, and the festival turns that setting into a program of films, photos and conversations. You hear from people who actually dive these passes, so your own snorkeling and dive days afterward make far more sense.

The other pull is the community. Because the event is small, you end up chatting with photographers, local guides and conservation volunteers in the same queue for the same screening. Those conversations are how backpackers learn which beaches have nesting turtles, which operators run careful whale encounters and where to get a boat without a tourist markup.

It also fits well into a longer Indian Ocean trip. Pair it with a few days in the Comoros or a stretch of beach time on Mayotte, and the festival becomes the anchor that gives the whole visit shape.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Underwater film screenings: The core of the festival. Documentaries and short films shot in the lagoon and open ocean play in a shared room, and the audience reacts out loud to a manta glide or a shark pass. Seeing the footage among locals who recognize the sites is the best context you can get.
  2. Photography exhibitions: Large prints of reef scenes, turtles, nudibranchs and whales line the venue. You can linger, compare how different photographers handle blue light and ask them directly how they got the shot.
  3. Talks with divers and marine scientists: Short presentations cover reef health, turtle monitoring and whale behavior in Mayotte’s waters. They are the quickest way to understand what you will see when you go in yourself.
  4. Lagoon snorkeling around Mamoudzou: Water time sits alongside the program.
… read more 👉
  1. Underwater film screenings: The core of the festival. Documentaries and short films shot in the lagoon and open ocean play in a shared room, and the audience reacts out loud to a manta glide or a shark pass. Seeing the footage among locals who recognize the sites is the best context you can get.
  2. Photography exhibitions: Large prints of reef scenes, turtles, nudibranchs and whales line the venue. You can linger, compare how different photographers handle blue light and ask them directly how they got the shot.
  3. Talks with divers and marine scientists: Short presentations cover reef health, turtle monitoring and whale behavior in Mayotte’s waters. They are the quickest way to understand what you will see when you go in yourself.
  4. Lagoon snorkeling around Mamoudzou: Water time sits alongside the program. Warm, calm lagoon water, sandy shallows and coral heads close to shore mean you can test your own photo skills straight after a session.
  5. Turtle watching at N’Gouja: The beach in the south of the island is known for green turtles grazing on seagrass near the shore. Slip in quietly with a mask, keep your distance and you may share the water with one for as long as you like.
For a first visit, the underwater film screenings are the best place to start, because they set up everything else you will do in the water.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte

Explore Mamoudzou & the National Wetland Reserve 3 Days/2 Nights

Explore Mamoudzou & the National Wetland Reserve 3 Days/2 Nights

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🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte?

The Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte is held in Mamoudzou, usually over several days in late spring or around the start of the dry season, with dates that shift each edition, so check the organizers’ calendar before booking flights.
  • Best day: Go on the opening evening for the first screenings and the full crowd of photographers and divers. Weekdays are quieter and easier for talking to exhibitors.
  • Weather: Expect warm, humid days around 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), with the odd short shower as the rains fade. Bring a light rain jacket, sun protection, a refillable bottle and sandals.
  • Booking: Reserve your bed 6 to 8 weeks ahead, since Mamoudzou has limited rooms and prices can rise 10 to 25% around the event. Flights into Dzaoudzi fill earlier.
  • Crowds and roads: Traffic jams
… read more 👉
The Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte is held in Mamoudzou, usually over several days in late spring or around the start of the dry season, with dates that shift each edition, so check the organizers’ calendar before booking flights.
  • Best day: Go on the opening evening for the first screenings and the full crowd of photographers and divers. Weekdays are quieter and easier for talking to exhibitors.
  • Weather: Expect warm, humid days around 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), with the odd short shower as the rains fade. Bring a light rain jacket, sun protection, a refillable bottle and sandals.
  • Booking: Reserve your bed 6 to 8 weeks ahead, since Mamoudzou has limited rooms and prices can rise 10 to 25% around the event. Flights into Dzaoudzi fill earlier.
  • Crowds and roads: Traffic jams build on the roads into Mamoudzou at morning and evening rush hours, so arrive before 4 pm and leave after the evening peak.
Book a hotel-area bed and your flight in the same sitting, because both sell out together.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Mamoudzou is the smartest base for the festival, because the screenings, exhibitions and most of the dive crowd are within a short ride of each other.
The waterfront and town center around the main quay are the most practical choice. You can walk to cafés, ATMs, supermarkets and the barge terminal, and shared taxis (taxis collectifs) pass constantly. Evenings here feel lively without getting rough, though I would keep valuables out of sight and avoid dark side streets after late hours.
Kaweni, just north, is cheaper and more local, but it is busier and less relaxed at night, so it suits only confident … read more 👉
Mamoudzou is the smartest base for the festival, because the screenings, exhibitions and most of the dive crowd are within a short ride of each other.
The waterfront and town center around the main quay are the most practical choice. You can walk to cafés, ATMs, supermarkets and the barge terminal, and shared taxis (taxis collectifs) pass constantly. Evenings here feel lively without getting rough, though I would keep valuables out of sight and avoid dark side streets after late hours.
Kaweni, just north, is cheaper and more local, but it is busier and less relaxed at night, so it suits only confident travelers.
North of the center, Passamainty and the Tsoundzou side are residential and quieter, with private rooms and guesthouses at fair rates, but you will need rides after dark.
If you want beach time and a social mood among divers, look toward Petite-Terre, around Dzaoudzi and Pamandzi. The barge crossing takes about 15 minutes and runs frequently, but the last services leave earlier in the evening, so plan the return.
Solo travelers meet people most easily in Mamoudzou, where divers, photographers and volunteers gather around the event venues.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A realistic budget for the Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte is about €80 to 95 per day for an independent traveler, with lodging as the largest line.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival tickets€0 to 10Many screenings and exhibitions are free or low priced, with some special evenings charging a small entry.
Accommodation€45 to 70 (high season)Simple rooms in Mamoudzou start near €45, and rates rise during the event, so book early.
Local transport€3 to 10Shared taxis within town cost about €1 to 2 a ride, and the Petite-Terre barge is under €1 each way.
Food & drinks€15 to 25Street snacks cost €1 to 3, and a sit-down meal is €10 to 15.
Miscellaneous expenses€5 to 15Sunscreen, water, a SIM card, and optional diving or lagoon trips, which cost more.
Total Daily Budget€80 to 95Add flights and any dive excursions on top.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Festival evenings in Mamoudzou run on street snacks and quick plates, with grills along the waterfront and small stalls near the venues.
Look for brochettes of grilled beef or chicken, samoussas and bananas fried or boiled, plus cassava and plantain served with fish. Island curries with coconut and ginger are the dishes to order for something truly Mahoran. A plate of poisson grillé with rice and a squeeze of lime is the one I would not skip.
For drinks, go for fresh fruit juices from passion fruit, tamarind or soursop, plus coconut water cracked on the spot. Coffee and mint tea are easy to find. Alcohol is limited in this largely Muslim island, so expect beer mainly in a few bars and restaurants, not at every stall.
Snacks cost about €1 to 3 each and a full plate runs €6 to 12. Cash is smoother … read more 👉
Festival evenings in Mamoudzou run on street snacks and quick plates, with grills along the waterfront and small stalls near the venues.
Look for brochettes of grilled beef or chicken, samoussas and bananas fried or boiled, plus cassava and plantain served with fish. Island curries with coconut and ginger are the dishes to order for something truly Mahoran. A plate of poisson grillé with rice and a squeeze of lime is the one I would not skip.
For drinks, go for fresh fruit juices from passion fruit, tamarind or soursop, plus coconut water cracked on the spot. Coffee and mint tea are easy to find. Alcohol is limited in this largely Muslim island, so expect beer mainly in a few bars and restaurants, not at every stall.
Snacks cost about €1 to 3 each and a full plate runs €6 to 12. Cash is smoother at small stalls, as card readers are rare, so carry coins and small notes in euros.
Queues move slowly but politely, so greet the cook first. Portions are generous, which makes sharing a plate with a new festival friend easy and sensible.

FAQTraveler FAQ

The Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte takes place in Mamoudzou, usually over several days in late spring, though the exact dates change each year. Check the organizers’ announcement a couple of months before. Most visitors arrive via Dzaoudzi airport on Petite-Terre and cross by barge, which takes about 15 minutes.
Attending the Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte is cheap or free for many screenings and exhibitions, with some evening events costing about €5 to 10. The bigger cost is lodging, roughly €45 to 70 a night in Mamoudzou during the event. Budget about €80 to 95 per day in total, excluding flights and optional dive trips.
For the Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte, tickets are often not needed for free exhibitions and many screenings, but special evenings or workshops may need advance reservation. Check the official program a few weeks before and book anything with limited seating early. Your bigger planning job is lodging and flights, which should be booked 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mahoran festivals near International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

The Festival International de l’Image Sous-Marine de Mayotte is best caught in the dry months, when the lagoon is calm and clear and whales pass offshore. Go to evening screenings, then spend the following mornings in the water while the sea is flat and the light is soft. Pack a reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard, and book boat spots early.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Mayotte. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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