Ile de Mayotte, French Comoros, Comoros

Mayotte is a charming, seahorse-shaped island between Madagascar and Mozambique. Just over an hour from Mamoudzou, the Mayotte capital, lies the breathtaking Baie de Bouéni—one of the largest and deepest lagoons in the world. The flora and fauna are spectacular. Spot lemurs bouncing through the trees and rare bats that are awake during daytime. Wander through fragrant forests, both humid and dry, to gaze at wild orchids and massive baobab trees. Mayotte is the place for water adventure. Take a dolphin safari on the lagoon to watch an aquatic ballet like no other. Snorkel or dive a coral reef to watch enormous schools of rare tropical fish. Comorian, Malagasy, French and Creole cultures influence the island group. French is the official language, but many locals speak Mahorian, a Swahili dialect. Pop into local marketplaces for authentic Mahorese wares, such as baobab tree jelly or perfumed coffee.