Things to Do in Comoros in June

June Weather in Comoros

29°C (84°F) High Temp

24°C (75°F) Low Temp

180mm (7.1 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is June Right for You?

Advantages

Peak ylang-ylang flowering season creates intense natural perfume across Grande Comore's plantations, with distilleries offering harvest tours impossible other months
Coelacanth viewing success rates reach 85% in June due to calmer deep waters off Mutsamudu - research station schedules extra diving expeditions
Green turtle nesting peaks on Mohéli Marine Park beaches, with guided night watches available 15-25 June when moon phases optimize viewing
Inter-island flights operate most reliably before July cyclone preparations begin, with AB Aviation running full schedules to all three islands

Considerations

Afternoon humidity regularly exceeds 85% between 2-5pm, making midday hiking on Mount Karthala's 2,361m (7,746ft) summit trails genuinely uncomfortable
Friday prayers and Ramadan aftermath (if applicable) means many local businesses close 11am-2pm, limiting restaurant options during peak lunch hours
Ferry services to Mayotte face 20-30% cancellation rates due to seasonal wind patterns, with backup flights costing €280-400 versus €45 ferry tickets

Best Activities in June

Mohéli Marine Park Turtle Watching

June marks peak green turtle nesting season with 90% success rate for night viewings. Marine park rangers conduct guided walks on Itsamia and Miringoni beaches between 8pm-midnight when females come ashore. Water temperatures of 27°C (81°F) also make post-watching snorkeling comfortable. Unlike peak tourist months, you'll often have entire beaches to yourself.

Booking Tip: Reserve through park headquarters 5-7 days ahead. Tours cost 15,000-25,000 KMF including ranger guide and park fees. Book sunset dhow trips (see current options in booking section below) for combination turtle-snorkeling experiences.

Mount Karthala Crater Hiking

Early morning ascents (start 5am) avoid afternoon humidity and showcase the active volcano's sulfur lakes at their clearest. June's lower rainfall makes the 16km (10-mile) roundtrip trail more stable than wet season months. Crater rim visibility exceeds 15km (9 miles) on clear mornings before clouds form.

Booking Tip: Mandatory guides cost 35,000-50,000 KMF for 2-day expeditions including camping gear. Book 10-14 days ahead through licensed mountain guides in Moroni. Check current guided options in booking section below.

Ylang-Ylang Distillery Tours

June harvest season allows visitors to witness complete flower-to-oil distillation process impossible other months. Bambao and Itsandra distilleries operate dawn-to-dusk during flowering peak, with traditional steam distillation creating signature Comorian perfume. Morning tours (7-9am) offer strongest aromatic experience.

Booking Tip: Family-run distilleries charge 5,000-8,000 KMF for guided visits including oil sampling. No advance booking needed but arrive before 10am for active processing. Current plantation tours available through booking section below.

Coelacanth Research Diving

June's calmer waters off Mutsamudu coast provide optimal conditions for deep-sea excursions to coelacanth habitats at 120-200m (394-656ft) depth. Research station schedules twice-weekly expeditions with 85% fish sighting success rates - highest of any month due to reduced surface turbulence.

Booking Tip: Advanced Open Water certification mandatory. Expeditions cost 85,000-120,000 KMF including specialized deep-diving equipment. Book 2-3 weeks ahead through Anjouan research station. See current diving operators in booking section below.

Traditional Dhow Sailing

Southeast trade winds average 15-20 knots in June, creating perfect conditions for multi-day dhow journeys between islands. Local fishermen offer 3-5 day sailing experiences with overnight stops on uninhabited islets. Ocean temperatures of 26°C (79°F) encourage swimming and snorkeling breaks.

Booking Tip: Multi-day dhow charters cost 45,000-75,000 KMF per person including meals and basic camping equipment. Book through fishing cooperatives in Moroni or Mutsamudu harbors 1-2 weeks ahead. Current sailing options in booking section below.

Livingstone Fruit Bat Watching

June evening roosts on Anjouan feature thousands of endemic fruit bats departing feeding grounds around 6:30pm. Nyumakele and Sima forests offer guided walks to observation platforms built 8m (26ft) high for optimal viewing without disturbing colonies. Cool evening temperatures make 2-hour walks comfortable.

Booking Tip: Forest guides charge 8,000-12,000 KMF for sunset bat tours including platform access. No advance booking required but arrive in villages by 5pm for guide arrangement. Current wildlife tours available through booking section below.

June Events & Festivals

Mid June

Ngazidja Ylang-Ylang Festival

Community celebrations across Grande Comore's flower-growing regions with traditional distillation demonstrations, perfume competitions, and cultural performances. Local families open private plantations for harvest participation and authentic Comorian cuisine featuring ylang-ylang infused dishes.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight merino wool shirts - cotton becomes unbearable in 70%+ humidity and takes 2+ days to dry

Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ - UV index of 8 causes burns in 15 minutes, and marine park prohibits chemical sunscreens

Quick-dry hiking pants for volcano treks - morning departures mean walking through wet vegetation until 8am

Waterproof phone case - afternoon showers intensify without warning and last 45-90 minutes

Insect repellent with 25% DEET minimum - Aedes mosquitoes peak during June humidity and are active dawn/dusk

Lightweight rain jacket rather than umbrella - coastal winds make umbrellas useless during sudden downpours

Cash in euros and small denominations - KMF exchange requires euros, and rural areas lack ATMs beyond Moroni

Portable water filter or purification tablets - tap water unsafe outside main hotels, bottled water costs 1,500 KMF

Reef shoes or water shoes - coral beaches on all three islands require foot protection for swimming entry

Headlamp with red filter - essential for turtle watching tours and early volcano hikes, red light doesn't disturb wildlife

Insider Knowledge

Local fishermen depart 4:30am daily from Moroni harbor - join them for 2,000 KMF to experience traditional net fishing and often spot dolphins feeding in early morning calm

Avoid scheduling inter-island travel on Fridays - most flights get delayed due to increased prayer attendance, and Friday ferry services run reduced schedules

Stay in family-run guesthouses rather than the few hotels - locals offer superior home-cooked meals featuring fresh catch and seasonal fruits for half hotel restaurant prices

June marks cashew harvesting season - roadside vendors sell fresh cashew apples (the fruit) for 500 KMF/kg, a delicacy tourists rarely discover

Avoid These Mistakes

Planning outdoor activities between 11am-4pm when humidity exceeds 80% and UV peaks - locals rest during these hours for good reason

Expecting Western meal schedules - restaurants close 2-5pm daily, and dinner doesn't begin until after evening prayers around 7pm

Underestimating travel time between islands - 'quick' inter-island trips often take full days due to weather delays and limited flight schedules