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Comoros - Things to Do in Comoros in December

Things to Do in Comoros in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Comoros

30°C (86°F) High Temp
24°C (75°F) Low Temp
150 mm (5.9 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Kashkazi season brings consistent northwest trade winds averaging 15-20 knots, making December ideal for sailing between islands and keeping temperatures comfortable despite the humidity - you'll actually feel that breeze working for you
  • Sea visibility peaks at 25-30 m (82-98 ft) during December, which is genuinely the best window all year for diving Moheli Marine Park and spotting humpback whales migrating through the channel between islands
  • Ylang-ylang harvest season is in full swing, meaning distillery tours on Grande Comore and Anjouan show the actual production process rather than just empty equipment - you'll see workers hand-picking flowers at dawn and the steam distillation happening same-day
  • Fewer tourists than July-August peak means you can arrange boat transfers between islands with just 2-3 days notice instead of the usual week-plus booking requirement, and guesthouse owners actually have time to chat rather than just processing check-ins

Considerations

  • December sits right in the middle of mango season, which sounds great until you realize fruit bats descend on coastal areas in massive numbers at dusk - not dangerous, just loud and messy if you're trying to enjoy an outdoor dinner between 6-8pm
  • Cyclone season technically runs November through April, and while direct hits are rare, you might lose 1-2 days of your trip to heavy rain and rough seas that cancel inter-island boats - there's no backup plan when a 5-day trip loses a day to weather
  • The combination of 70% humidity and 30°C (86°F) temperatures means hiking Mount Karthala or exploring Anjouan's interior becomes genuinely exhausting by 11am - you'll need to start treks at 5am or accept that you're moving at half your normal pace

Investigate Other Months

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Best Activities in December

Moheli Marine Park snorkeling and diving expeditions

December offers the clearest water conditions of the year with 25-30 m (82-98 ft) visibility, and humpback whales migrate through the Mozambique Channel from mid-November through January. The marine park's protected reefs around Nioumachoua have healthy coral systems with sea turtles nesting on beaches throughout December. Morning sessions from 7-10am offer the calmest seas before afternoon winds pick up. Water temperature sits at a comfortable 26-27°C (79-81°F), so you'll only need a 3mm wetsuit at most.

Booking Tip: Book through marine park-certified operators at least 7-10 days ahead during December as there are only four licensed dive centers on Moheli. Full-day trips typically run 35,000-50,000 KMF including equipment and lunch. Make sure your operator coordinates with the marine park office for current whale watching zones - regulations change weekly based on migration patterns. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Ylang-ylang distillery tours and perfume workshops

December is peak harvest season when flowers are picked at dawn and distilled the same day, so you'll see the actual production process rather than just touring empty facilities. Grande Comore's plantations around Bambao and Anjouan's operations near Domoni run daily distillations from 6am-2pm. The scent is overwhelming in the best way - you'll smell the distilleries from 500 m (1,640 ft) away. Some distilleries offer hands-on workshops where you blend your own essential oil combinations, which is worth the extra 5,000 KMF.

Booking Tip: Contact distilleries directly through your guesthouse 3-5 days ahead - most don't have online booking systems. Tours typically cost 8,000-15,000 KMF per person with workshop add-ons running another 5,000-8,000 KMF. Morning visits from 7-9am show the flower picking process, while 10am-noon focuses on distillation. Bring cash as card payments aren't accepted. Reference the booking widget below for organized perfume experience tours.

Mount Karthala volcano trekking

The active volcano offers the most dramatic landscape in Comoros with its 3 km (1.9 mile) wide crater and sulfur vents. December's drier conditions mean clearer summit views, though you'll need to start at 3-4am to avoid the midday heat and humidity. The trek takes 6-8 hours round trip covering 12 km (7.5 miles) with 1,400 m (4,593 ft) elevation gain. You'll pass through endemic forest zones with Comoros blue pigeons and Livingstone's fruit bats before reaching the moonscape crater rim. Weather can shift quickly even in December - clouds roll in by noon about 40% of days.

Booking Tip: Mandatory to hire registered guides through the National Park office in Moroni - solo hiking isn't permitted. Book 5-7 days ahead during December as there are limited guides available. Expect to pay 40,000-60,000 KMF for a guide plus 10,000 KMF park entrance. Groups of 3-4 split costs effectively. Your guesthouse can arrange transport to the trailhead at Grillé for 15,000-20,000 KMF. Check current guided trek options in the booking section below.

Traditional dhow sailing between islands

The kashkazi northwest winds in December make this the prime season for traditional sailing - you'll actually be under sail power rather than motor. The crossing from Grande Comore to Anjouan takes 6-8 hours with favorable winds, passing through waters where dolphins and flying fish are common. It's not a comfortable tourist experience - you'll be sitting on deck with local passengers and cargo - but it's how Comorians have traveled between islands for centuries. The modern speedboats are faster and more predictable, but dhows offer something genuinely different.

Booking Tip: Arrange through boat captains at Moroni's old port or through guesthouse connections 3-4 days ahead. Crossings typically cost 15,000-25,000 KMF per person depending on route and weather conditions. Departures happen early morning around 5-6am to catch optimal winds. Bring seasickness medication even if you don't usually need it - the open ocean swell is real. Weather delays are common, so only book dhows if you have schedule flexibility. See current inter-island tour options in the booking section below.

Mitsamiouli beach and sea turtle monitoring

December falls within green sea turtle nesting season on Grande Comore's northern beaches. Mitsamiouli and nearby Maloudja host nightly nestings where conservation groups conduct monitoring patrols from 8pm-midnight. You can join patrols to observe nesting females and hatchlings making their way to the ocean. The experience is regulated to minimize disturbance - red lights only, no flash photography, and you'll maintain 5 m (16 ft) distance. Beach conditions in December are calm with minimal seaweed compared to the rainy season months.

Booking Tip: Contact conservation organizations like the local marine turtle monitoring groups through your accommodation 4-6 days ahead. Patrol participation typically costs 10,000-15,000 KMF as a conservation contribution. Bring a red flashlight or headlamp with red filter - white lights disorient hatchlings. Wear closed shoes for walking on dark beaches and bring insect repellent for sand fleas. Programs run weather-dependent, so have backup plans. Check the booking widget below for organized turtle watching experiences.

Medina exploration and spice market tours in Moroni

Moroni's medina comes alive in December with vendors selling fresh vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon from the year's harvest. The covered market near the old Friday Mosque operates daily from 6am-6pm with peak activity 8-11am. December's moderate temperatures make walking the narrow medina streets more comfortable than the hot season. You'll find women selling homemade coconut oil, traditional embroidered kofia caps, and the distinctive Comorian doors with brass studs. The port area fish market from 5-7am shows the daily catch being auctioned - mostly tuna, sailfish, and red snapper in December.

Booking Tip: Self-guided exploration works fine, but hiring a local guide through your guesthouse for 8,000-12,000 KMF adds context about architecture and helps with vendor negotiations. Morning visits from 8-10am offer the best light and activity. Bring small bills - most vendors can't break 10,000 KMF notes. Friday mornings are particularly busy with mosque crowds. For organized cultural walking experiences, see current options in the booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

Late December (date varies with Islamic calendar)

Maulida celebrations

The Prophet's birthday observance typically falls in late December (dates shift annually with the Islamic calendar). You'll see processions in Moroni and other towns with Quranic recitations, traditional twarab music performances, and communal meals. Mosques stay open late with special evening prayers. It's a religious observance rather than a tourist event, but visitors are generally welcome to observe respectfully. Women should dress conservatively with head coverings, and men should wear long pants and shirts.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket with pit zips - afternoon showers hit about 10 days during the month and last 30-45 minutes, but the 70% humidity means non-breathable jackets become sweat chambers
SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 and you'll be exposed during boat transfers between islands where there's no shade for 1-2 hours at a time
Quick-dry hiking pants that convert to shorts - essential for Mount Karthala treks that start in cool pre-dawn temperatures around 18°C (64°F) and reach 30°C (86°F) by mid-morning
Closed-toe water shoes with good grip - volcanic rock beaches are sharp and slippery, and you'll need them for reef walking during low tide explorations
High-quality insect repellent with 30% DEET minimum - sand fleas are active on beaches at dusk, and mosquitoes around ylang-ylang plantations can be intense despite December being relatively dry
Dry bag rated for at least 20 liters - dhow crossings and speedboat transfers between islands involve spray and occasional waves washing over the deck, and you'll need to protect electronics and documents
Cotton or linen clothing in light colors - synthetic fabrics become unbearable in 70% humidity, and darker colors absorb too much heat during midday market walks
Modest clothing including long skirts or pants and head scarves for women - Comoros is conservative Muslim, and you'll be turned away from mosques and some restaurants without appropriate coverage
Unlocked smartphone with local SIM capability - Comoros Telecom SIM cards cost 5,000 KMF and data is essential for coordinating boat schedules and guesthouse communications since WiFi is unreliable outside Moroni
Small denomination cash in Comorian francs - ATMs are limited to Moroni and occasionally out of service, and most activities, meals, and transport require cash payment with exact change preferred

Insider Knowledge

Boat schedules between islands are theoretical at best - the posted departure time of 7am might mean anywhere from 6:30am to 9am depending on passenger loads, cargo, and the captain's assessment of weather. Always confirm the night before and arrive 30 minutes early, but bring a book because you'll likely wait.
The electrical grid in Comoros runs on 220V but outages happen daily, usually 2-4 hours in the evening. Guesthouses typically have generators, but they don't always run them to save fuel costs. Charge devices during daytime hours and bring a portable battery pack rated for at least 20,000 mAh.
December is actually the best time to negotiate guesthouse rates because tourism is slower than the July-August peak - you can often get 20-30% off posted prices if you're staying 4+ nights and paying cash. Don't book everything online in advance, leave room to negotiate on arrival.
Local shared taxis called taxi-brousses use a zone system where you pay per segment rather than for the whole vehicle - a ride from Moroni to Mitsamiouli costs 2,000-3,000 KMF per person if you wait for the vehicle to fill with 6-7 passengers. Private hire of the same taxi runs 15,000-20,000 KMF, so shared rides save significantly if you're not in a hurry.

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking tight inter-island schedules without buffer days - weather delays and boat cancellations happen regularly in December despite it being relatively calm, and there's no alternative transport when boats don't run. Build in at least one extra day between islands or you'll miss flights.
Expecting European-style tourism infrastructure - Comoros doesn't have tour buses, organized excursions with set schedules, or English-speaking guides at every site. You'll need to arrange most activities through guesthouse owners or local contacts, and flexibility is mandatory.
Bringing only credit cards - outside of the two main hotels in Moroni, nowhere accepts cards. Even the national park office and most guesthouses are cash-only, and ATMs frequently run out of money or reject foreign cards. Bring enough euros or dollars to exchange for your entire trip plus 30% emergency buffer.

Explore Activities in Comoros

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November

Travel guide for November

January

Travel guide for January

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Comoros

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