Things to do in Comoros

Hike the world's largest active volcano through lush cloud forest and lunar-like lava fields to a moonscape crater, often with steaming vents.

Glide through crystal-clear waters alongside endangered green turtles in this protected marine reserve.

Stroll the narrow alleyways of the old quarter, where coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors and ornate balconies reflect Swahili and Arab influences.

Immerse yourself in the sensory overload of Moroni's main market: pyramids of vanilla pods, clove buds, ylang-ylang blossoms, and fresh tropical fruits.

See the rocky shoreline where the prehistoric coelacanth, a 'living fossil', was famously discovered by science in the 20th century.

Unwind on a crescent of pale sand fringed by gentle surf and dotted with traditional fishing pirogues.

Follow a coastal trail to a dramatic sea cave where waves blast through a natural chimney, sending plumes of spray high into the air.

Admire the whitewashed, coral-stone minaret and intricate mihrab of the Vendredi Mosque, the spiritual heart of the old city.

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.

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.

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.

Sail a traditional wooden dhow to the tiny satellite islets off Mohéli's south coast.

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.

Wander stone alleyways of this former sultanate capital, lined with crumbling 16th-century houses and the ruins of royal palaces.

Visit a hypersaline crater lake that sometimes takes on a milky pink hue due to algae.

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.

Follow an old lava track into a secondary crater complex near Mount Karthala, passing views of cinder cones and black lava flows.

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.

A rewarding jungle hike leads to a series of cascades plunging into emerald pools, surrounded by towering cliffs draped in ferns and lianas.

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.

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.

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.

From July to October, humpback whales migrate through these warm channels to calve.

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.

A quiet cove of dark volcanic sand framed by palm trees, Maloudja faces west for spectacular sunsets.