Top Things to Do in Comoros

The Comoros archipelago lies in the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and the East African coast, a chain of volcanic islands where Arab, African, Malagasy, and French influences have layered over centuries into something entirely singular. Grande Comore, Moheli, and Anjouan each possess distinct landscapes and rhythms -- from the active Karthala volcano on Grande Comore, one of the world's largest active craters, to the pristine marine reserves surrounding Moheli where humpback whales calve between July and October. Tourism infrastructure remains minimal, which is precisely what draws the travelers who do make it here. First-time visitors should approach the Comoros with flexibility and patience. Flights between islands are infrequent, roads are often unpaved, and accommodation outside Moroni is basic but genuine. What you gain in return is access to landscapes and cultures that have not been shaped by mass tourism. The ylang-ylang plantations, the ancient medinas with their carved Swahili doors, and the coral reefs teeming with sea turtles exist here in a state closer to their original condition than almost anywhere else in the Indian Ocean. French is the primary language of commerce, while Comorian (Shikomori) is spoken at home.