Mayotte - Clearance
PRE-ARRIVAL
- Download Declaration d’entree pour navire da plaisance (Inward declaration for leisure yacht). At the same time download the Outward clearance form [Declaration de sortie pour navire da plaisance]. PDFs are available at https://www.mayotte.cci.fr/nos-implantations/port-de-plaisance/ [links in the first blue box, right of site].
- Fill out the inward declaration form and email to maitredeport@mayotte.cci.fr.
- Include in the email estimates of departure and arrival date, yacht particulars, crew health status, etc. You may or may not get any response to this email (or any follow-up attempts).
- If you are not able to complete the Inward Declaration prior to arrival, it is possible to get one from the Yacht Club on arrival.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Advance Notification:
It is important to enter the lagoon via the Mzambouru pass and not through the Bandrele pass. There is some doubt as to whether this is permitted or not. One cruiser reported having no problem, another said you will be fined if you do so. However, it is not the best entry if there is an easterly swell. Best advice is to contact the Port Captain for permission in advance.
General Process:
On arrival at Mayotte prior to entering the north channel contact Mayotte Port Control on VHF 16 and ask permission to enter the channel for the yacht anchorage. The channel is well marked, including lit ranges, making night entries feasible
Once anchored resend your Inward Declaration to maitredeport@mayotte.cci.fr (and anyone who was cc’d on any prior response) and take a copy ashore. If you were not able to complete the Inward Declaration prior to arrival, it is possible to get one from the Yacht Club.
In Dzaoudzi the yacht club (Ecole Voile) is to the south of the dinghy dock/marina (open 11:00 to 20:00). They are very helpful, speak English and can answer questions about Mayotte.
Port clearance can be done via email. Customs and immigration require a trip to the airport. (Walk or take a taxi Euro 1.40 per person)
- Immigration: In the airport there is a glass booth for Customs with a large Douane sign over it opposite the restaurant. To the right of this booth (and small Cafe) is a phone on the wall for calling Immigration. They will come and find you. They will want a crew list, your passports and the Inward Declaration. Get your Immigration stamp on the Inward Declaration and in your passports.
- Customs: Then go to Customs for their stamp on your Declaration. They will want your passports, boat papers and the Inward Declaration.
- Port Captain: Once you have your forms from Immigration and Customs, they can be emailed to the Port Captain (if you have a printer or mobile device that can scan the documents).
Clearance is possible on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Basic French is required as the officials do not normally have any English. All boats, whether French or not, must clear in.
Once clearance has been completed, yachts may explore the lagoon freely.
CLEARING OUT
Prior to departure, outward clearance must be obtained.
Fill out the outward clearance form and email to maitredeport@mayotte.cci.fr. Again, this can be obtained from the Yacht Club.
Follow the same procedure as clearing in.
- At the airport, go first to Customs and request “ship clearance out”. They will stamp your outward clearance form.
- Next, dial for Immigration who will want the form and passports. They can only do same day clearance, so you might have to change the date on your form. They will stamp both your form and passports.
- Email a copy of the stamped Outward Declaration to the Port Captain. Port Captain should then email back your Outward Clearance to your next port.
There does not appear to be a problem with departing the day after outward clearance has been granted.
Last updated: November 2022
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Country Navigation
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Free Moorings (map)
Note anchoring is only permitted at the one place (Dzaoudzi where most will arrive to clear in). However there are Park moorings all around the main island (and on some of the smaller islands) – Just be careful to match the mooring to your boat weight. Free park Mooring map – https://parc-marin-mayotte.fr/documentation/carte-des-mouillages-du-parc
And while I’m posting – here are a bunch of other notes I made during our 2022 visit…
Snorkel tips
* https://www.snorkeling-report.com/destination/snorkeling-mayotte/
* https://generationvoyage.fr/spots-plongee-mayotte/
You can expect to see Turtles, fish, dolphins, and if you are lucky manta rays and even dugong
Clearing in – helps if you have a printer and can revive attachments via your at device email account – as the port clearance can the be done via email – customs and immigration require a trip to the airport (walk or taxi) and then send (email) copy to port captain.
Dinghy dock – to south of ferry landing and navy/police dock. It’s a floating dock but often crowded and can be subject to swell.
ATM – at Dzaoudzi ferry landing (near the dinghy dock and just inside the entrance cage – no entry restrictions so you can come and go as you please into the ‘cage’ area) – so you can soon get some Euros to start spending.
Ferry between Dzaoudzi and Main island is 75c for a return trip (you only pay one way), the ferries run regularly and seem in good order.
Taxis are ‘collective’ or ‘bush’ meaning they may pick up other passengers during your ride (more like a on demand bus but a car – €2 per person per ride for most trips (fuel cans / groceries may be €extra per can/bag) – can be found at most public places or just hailed as you see them.
Free internet at yacht club (buy a drink). Also laundry machines at 1.50 Euro per load!
3 major sim providers – Orange, Only, and SFR (and other smaller providers no doubt)
– orange – we didn’t use this one, but others were happy with it
– SFR – we paid €2 for a SIM that came with 3gb free and then paid €5 for 5gb (lasts for 5 days) – we went with a data only plan. If you top up at the machines in official SFR stores then extra data is automatically added (at least that was offered during our visit)
– Verify in store that internet and hot spot is working (and ask how to top up if required)
Grocery
– Covered market on main and petit islands
– Afternoons have a few women selling veggies at ferry landing area (Dzaoudzi)
– Big covered market at Mamoudzou by ferry landing
– Supermarkets on Petit – Carrefour, sodifram (Kawani)
– Mall on Grand terre also has hardware store (Mr Bricologe) and grocery (Jumbo Score)
– We found supermarkets were poorly stocked with fruit and veg, often they would have nothing, or maybe just pears – lots of empty areas. Also we were surprised (even at the markets) at the lack of fruit/veg options. Carrots and potatoes were hard to come by. Grapes, Avocados, seemed an impossible dream.
Chandlery
– grand Terre- SV Nautique – not a great lot of stock, but very helpful
Note: Clearance section reference a link to documents at https://www.mayotte.cci.fr/ports-de-plaisance/ – however that link is no longer valid.
Thanks MaryAnne – again – web link has changed and forms are now easier to find in the first blue box – top right of page. Go to https://www.mayotte.cci.fr/nos-implantations/port-de-plaisance/ [links for arrival form and exit form in the first blue box, right of site]. Noonsite updated.
Posted on behalf of Brian Simm
All paperwork is shore-based and free. Entry and exit forms are held by yacht club 200 m to the left of the ferry landing at Dzoudri. ( open 11 am to 8 pm ) visits to the airport for immigration and to customs are needed on arrival and departure.
http://www.sailingadventureworldwide.com/index_htm_files/ACHM/index.htm
We are here in the moment and having a great time with this French people… the ACHM club is fully supporting us and give great service…
Greetings, Hans