Things to do in Comoros

25 things to do in Comoros

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Trek to the summit of Mount Karthala

  Hike the world's largest active volcano through lush cloud forest and lunar-like lava fields to a moonscape crater, often with steaming vents. The demanding full-day ascent rewards with panoramic views over Grande Comore.

  Grande Comore

• Snorkel with sea turtles at Moheli Marine Park

  Glide through crystal-clear waters alongside endangered green turtles in this protected marine reserve. The coral gardens and seagrass beds host abundant marine life, including rays and reef fish.

  Mohéli

• Wander the medina of Moroni

  Stroll the narrow alleyways of the old quarter, where coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors and ornate balconies reflect Swahili and Arab influences. The bustling warren leads to hidden squares and waterfront cafés.

  Moroni, Grande Comore

• Explore the Volo Volo Market

  Immerse yourself in the sensory overload of Moroni's main market: pyramids of vanilla pods, clove buds, ylang-ylang blossoms, and fresh tropical fruits. An ideal place to sample street food and feel the city's pulse.

  Moroni, Grande Comore

• Visit the Iconi coelacanth site

  See the rocky shoreline where the prehistoric coelacanth, a 'living fossil', was famously discovered by science in the 20th century. The waters off Iconi remain one of the few places on Earth where this deep-sea fish still surfaces.

  Iconi, Grande Comore

• Relax on Itsandra Beach

  Unwind on a crescent of pale sand fringed by gentle surf and dotted with traditional fishing pirogues. This easily accessible beach near the capital is perfect for swimming and sunset cocktails.

  Itsandra, Grande Comore

• Hike to Trou du Prophète blowhole

  Follow a coastal trail to a dramatic sea cave where waves blast through a natural chimney, sending plumes of spray high into the air. The spectacle is best at high tide with strong swells.

  Itsandra, Grande Comore

• Step inside the Friday Mosque of Moroni

  Admire the whitewashed, coral-stone minaret and intricate mihrab of the Vendredi Mosque, the spiritual heart of the old city. Non-Muslim visits are possible outside prayer times with respectful attire.

  Moroni, Grande Comore

• Tour a ylang-ylang plantation in Anjouan

  Walk through fragrant hillsides cloaked in yellow blossoms, learning how these delicate flowers are hand-picked at dawn and distilled into essential oils that underpin luxury perfumes worldwide.

  Anjouan

• Visit the Sultan's Palace in Mutsamudu

  Explore the restored 18th-century palace of Sultan Abdallah, a fine example of Swahili-Arab architecture with intricately carved ceilings, ancient lanterns, and a shady central courtyard.

  Mutsamudu, Anjouan

• Discover the Badjanani Mosque

  One of the oldest mosques in Moroni, dating from the 15th century, this atmospheric building features thick coral-stone walls and a simple yet profound interior that tells the story of early Islam in the islands.

  Moroni, Grande Comore

• Island hop by dhow to the Nioumachoua islets

  Sail a traditional wooden dhow to the tiny satellite islets off Mohéli's south coast. These uninhabited specks of sand and coral offer pristine snorkeling, picnics, and a true castaway feel.

  Nioumachoua, Mohéli

• Spot Livingstone's fruit bats in Mohéli

  Trek into the island's dense rainforest at dusk to see these giant, critically endangered bats with two-foot wingspans as they take flight from their roosts in search of fruit.

  Mohéli

• Explore the ancient town of Domoni

  Wander stone alleyways of this former sultanate capital, lined with crumbling 16th-century houses and the ruins of royal palaces. The clifftop setting overlooks the Indian Ocean on Anjouan's east coast.

  Domoni, Anjouan

• Float in Lac Salé salt lake

  Visit a hypersaline crater lake that sometimes takes on a milky pink hue due to algae. The shallow, warm water is so buoyant you bob effortlessly, a surreal experience amid a stark volcanic landscape.

  Bangoi-Kouni, Grande Comore

• Snorkel at Chomoni Beach

  Swim off a classic tropical beach backed by basalt cliffs, where nearshore coral gardens teem with parrotfish, angelfish, and the occasional sea turtle, all in crystal-clear warm water.

  Chomoni, Grande Comore

• Hike to the Dzahani volcanic crater

  Follow an old lava track into a secondary crater complex near Mount Karthala, passing views of cinder cones and black lava flows. The trail reveals a raw, geothermal landscape rarely seen by outsiders.

  Dzahani, Grande Comore

• Savor langouste à la vanille by the sea

  Indulge in grilled local lobster drenched in a rich vanilla-cream sauce, a signature Comorian dish best enjoyed with your toes in the sand at a beachfront restaurant in Itsandra.

  Itsandra, Grande Comore

• Chase the Tratringa waterfalls in Anjouan

  A rewarding jungle hike leads to a series of cascades plunging into emerald pools, surrounded by towering cliffs draped in ferns and lianas. Perfect for a cooling swim far from the crowds.

  Sima, Anjouan

• Attend a cultural performance at CNDRS museum

  Watch traditional Ngoma drumming and Dabou dances at the national research center, where local troupes perform in a courtyard ringed by exhibitions on Comorian history and natural heritage.

  Moroni, Grande Comore

• Visit the ruins of the Domoni royal palace

  Explore the overgrown remains of a once-grand palace, where sections of carved coral stone and a skeletal minaret still stand, evoking the power of the Sultans who ruled Anjouan centuries ago.

  Domoni, Anjouan

• Tour the National Museum (CNDRS) exhibits

  Browse displays of carved wooden doors, musical instruments, and coelacanth replicas, along with ethnographic artifacts that narrate the island's Bantu, Arab, and French influences.

  Moroni, Grande Comore

• Go whale watching off Mohéli

  From July to October, humpback whales migrate through these warm channels to calve. Join a small-boat excursion for awe-inspiring breaches and tail slaps in a protected marine sanctuary.

  Mohéli

• Discover the Bangoi Mafsankoa rock paintings

  Search for enigmatic red-ochre pictographs on a remote rock face, believed to be centuries-old depictions of spirits and everyday life from early island inhabitants.

  Bangoi Mafsankoa, Grande Comore

• Watch sunset at Maloudja Beach

  A quiet cove of dark volcanic sand framed by palm trees, Maloudja faces west for spectacular sunsets. Locals gather to play football at dusk, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

  Maloudja, Grande Comore