×

Mayotte🇾🇹 | landmarksLac DzianiGreen crater lake, salty floating water, rim path, Petite-Terre | things to do and best time to go

Explore ChironguiExplore Mouillage de Moya

Backpacking in Lac Dziani
🏆 Top pickunique site ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Lac Dziani’s green color comes from microscopic cyanobacteria thriving in water saltier than the sea, and the lake is a volcanic crater on Petite-Terre, not an inland freshwater pond on the main island. It sits in the east of Mayotte, a short drive from the ferry landing at Dzaoudzi. The lake itself is the draw, and it earns the stop. The color is almost fluorescent against the dark crater wall, the surface smells faintly of sulfur and algae, and the water is thick enough to float you without effort. The rim path is the part to walk, because the views over the lagoon are the best photos you will take here. Skip any plan to stay all day: there is no shade at the shore and no shop. Mud clings to ankles and the sun is fierce. A first day could mean walking up the rim in the cooler morning, floating for a short while, rinsing off, then heading to a nearby beach.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Mayotte Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
towns
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 unique site in MayotteWhy Lac Dziani should be on your travel list

Lac Dziani is one of the few places in the Indian Ocean where you can stand beside a bright green crater lake and then be on a lagoon beach within the same afternoon. Nothing else in Mayotte looks like it, and the color photographs well even on overcast days. The effort is small: the ferry crossing from the main island is quick, and Petite-Terre is compact enough that the lake slots in alongside other stops without a long detour. The experience is also physical. Water about saltier than seawater holds you up so firmly that you can sit upright in it like a deck chair, which is odd and funny the first time. Scientists study the lake as a stand-in for ancient oceans, and the strange living soup is easy to appreciate even without a biology degree. Pair it with Plage de Moya or a walk up Mont Vénus … read more 👉
Lac Dziani is one of the few places in the Indian Ocean where you can stand beside a bright green crater lake and then be on a lagoon beach within the same afternoon. Nothing else in Mayotte looks like it, and the color photographs well even on overcast days. The effort is small: the ferry crossing from the main island is quick, and Petite-Terre is compact enough that the lake slots in alongside other stops without a long detour. The experience is also physical. Water about saltier than seawater holds you up so firmly that you can sit upright in it like a deck chair, which is odd and funny the first time. Scientists study the lake as a stand-in for ancient oceans, and the strange living soup is easy to appreciate even without a biology degree. Pair it with Plage de Moya or a walk up Mont Vénus and you have a full day for modest cost, without a tour or a rental car beyond what getting around Petite-Terre already needs.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. The green water of Lac Dziani: the main event. The cyanobacteria that live here tint the surface bright green, sometimes turquoise at the edges, and the contrast with the dark volcanic walls is startling. Late morning, with the sun overhead, gives the strongest color.
  2. Floating in the lake: the dense, salty water holds you up almost without effort. It feels slightly slick on the skin and leaves a residue, so bring fresh water for rinsing afterward, and keep it away from your eyes.
  3. The crater rim path: a walk along the top of the old volcanic ring shows the full circle of the lake below and the lagoon beyond. Good shoes help on dry, loose ground, and a hat helps more.
  4. Maki lemurs on Petite-Terre: brown lemurs live in the trees on this small island, and you may spot them near the approach if you
… read more 👉
  1. The green water of Lac Dziani: the main event. The cyanobacteria that live here tint the surface bright green, sometimes turquoise at the edges, and the contrast with the dark volcanic walls is startling. Late morning, with the sun overhead, gives the strongest color.
  2. Floating in the lake: the dense, salty water holds you up almost without effort. It feels slightly slick on the skin and leaves a residue, so bring fresh water for rinsing afterward, and keep it away from your eyes.
  3. The crater rim path: a walk along the top of the old volcanic ring shows the full circle of the lake below and the lagoon beyond. Good shoes help on dry, loose ground, and a hat helps more.
  4. Maki lemurs on Petite-Terre: brown lemurs live in the trees on this small island, and you may spot them near the approach if you move quietly and early. Do not feed them.
  5. Plage de Moya: a lagoon beach with calm, clear water that works as a rinse and reset after the lake. It is popular with locals on weekends, so expect company and music.
  6. Mont Vénus: a modest hill on Petite-Terre with views over the lagoon, the barrier reef and the rooftops of Labattoir. It is an easy walk that adds perspective to the crater.
  7. Rocher de Dzaoudzi: the old fortified rock where the ferry lands, with a former colonial administrative quarter and a view across the water to the main island. Walk it before or after the lake.
Lac Dziani should come first, in the morning while the air is cool and the color is sharp, before the heat and the other stops take over.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Lac Dziani

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

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

0.0(0) 72h
From €840
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

The dry season, May to October, is the best window for Lac Dziani, with firm trails and a clear view of the crater’s green water.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days run 25 to 29°C (77 to 84°F), nights drop to about 20°C (68°F), and rain is rare. The path from the road to the rim stays dry. Daylight lasts about 11 hours in June and July. Mid-July to August is the busiest stretch, with French school holidays pushing up flight prices and guesthouse rates.
  • Hot Wet Season (November to April): Expect 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F), heavy humidity and afternoon downpours. Paths turn muddy and slick. Daylight stretches to about 13 hours in December. The lake is greenest and the hillsides lush, and rooms are cheaper and quieter.
  • Cyclone Window (January to March): Storms are most likely here, and ferries can stop.
… read more 👉
The dry season, May to October, is the best window for Lac Dziani, with firm trails and a clear view of the crater’s green water.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days run 25 to 29°C (77 to 84°F), nights drop to about 20°C (68°F), and rain is rare. The path from the road to the rim stays dry. Daylight lasts about 11 hours in June and July. Mid-July to August is the busiest stretch, with French school holidays pushing up flight prices and guesthouse rates.
  • Hot Wet Season (November to April): Expect 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F), heavy humidity and afternoon downpours. Paths turn muddy and slick. Daylight stretches to about 13 hours in December. The lake is greenest and the hillsides lush, and rooms are cheaper and quieter.
  • Cyclone Window (January to March): Storms are most likely here, and ferries can stop. Book flexible tickets.
Go in the morning, before the heat builds and before cloud settles over the crater rim.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
mayotte-unique-site-lac-dziani
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutMayotte Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mayotte
The digital guide (129 pages) contains:
✅ 27 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 2, 3 & 5-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Petite-Terre is the most practical area to sleep, since Lac Dziani sits on that small island a short drive or taxi ride from the main settlements.
Labattoir is the best fit for most backpackers. It has a small seafront, a few cafés, grocery shops and guesthouse-style rooms, and you can reach the crater trailhead by taxi or a hot walk of roughly 3 km. Dzaoudzi, next to the barge landing, is the other solid choice. It is calm and walkable, and the old rock-top district has views over the lagoon. Nights are quiet and the neighborhood feels safe, though you will find few hostel-style common rooms. … read more 👉
Petite-Terre is the most practical area to sleep, since Lac Dziani sits on that small island a short drive or taxi ride from the main settlements.
Labattoir is the best fit for most backpackers. It has a small seafront, a few cafés, grocery shops and guesthouse-style rooms, and you can reach the crater trailhead by taxi or a hot walk of roughly 3 km. Dzaoudzi, next to the barge landing, is the other solid choice. It is calm and walkable, and the old rock-top district has views over the lagoon. Nights are quiet and the neighborhood feels safe, though you will find few hostel-style common rooms. Pamandzi, near the airport, suits early flights and has the beach at Moya within reach, but it is more residential.
If you want nightlife and more social options, sleep in Mamoudzou on the main island and cross by barge in the morning. It has more restaurants, shops and a larger range of rooms, and you can meet other travelers there easily. Barges run often during the day, so the crossing is simple, but the last ones leave in the evening, so plan your return. Budget rooms are limited across Mayotte, so book ahead from July to August.
Best hostels in Mayotte


Best quality hotels in Mayotte

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Lac Dziani costs about €64 to 117 per day for a backpacker, and the visit itself is free.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Lake Access€0No ticket office. You walk up from the road to the crater rim.
Barge from Mamoudzou€2A short crossing to Dzaoudzi, with a small one-way fare per adult. Pay in euros.
Local Transport€2 to 5Taxis or shared rides on Petite-Terre cover the short stretch to the trailhead. Rental cars are costly.
Accommodation (high season)€45 to 80Simple rooms in Labattoir, Dzaoudzi or Mamoudzou. Low season runs closer to €35 to 60.
Food and Water€15 to 30Bakeries, small snack stands and local grill plates are the cheapest. Imported goods in supermarkets are pricey.
Total Daily Budget€64 to 117Lower if you share rooms and cook, higher with a rental car.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Lac Dziani is a green crater lake on Petite-Terre, the small island of Mayotte beside Dzaoudzi. It fills a volcanic crater with algae-tinted water and is regarded as sacred by many locals. The rim path gives views over the lagoon, and entry is free.
Lac Dziani takes about 1 to 2 hours on site, including the walk up and time at the rim. Add roughly 30 minutes each way for the barge from Mamoudzou, so half a day is comfortable. A morning visit avoids the afternoon heat.
To reach Lac Dziani, take the barge from Mamoudzou to Dzaoudzi (about 30 minutes, around €2 return). From there a taxi or a 3 km walk through Labattoir takes you to the trailhead below the crater. Mayotte’s airport also lies on Petite-Terre, so many arrivals are just minutes away.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mahoran landmarks near Lac Dziani

Explore more nearby:

  • Moya Beach—white sand crescent, gentle surf, nesting turtles| 1 km away
  • Mouillage de Moya—protected anchorage, turquoise shallows, sea turtle habitat| 2 km away
  • Mouillage de Saziley—remote coastline, mangrove fringe, coral reefs| 16 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Mayotte including Lac Dziani and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all landmarks

Or checkout all Mayotte has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Mayotte
Country photo of Mayotte
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Lac Dziani

Lac Dziani suits curious travelers who like odd natural phenomena and are happy with a short, simple outing, as well as anyone who wants a photo that looks edited when it isn’t. If you hate mud or strong sun, skip the float. I would bring a bottle of fresh water for rinsing, sandals that can get dirty and a hat, and I would go 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.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story