Things to Do in Comoros in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Comoros
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- November marks the beginning of the dry season, meaning you get reliable weather for hiking Mount Karthala (2,361 m / 7,746 ft) and exploring the volcanic landscapes without the heavy rains that plague January through April. The trails are still lush from the wet season but actually passable.
- Sea visibility for diving and snorkeling peaks in November, typically reaching 20-30 m (65-100 ft) around Mohéli Marine Park. The water temperature sits at a comfortable 26°C (79°F), and you'll catch the tail end of whale shark season if you're lucky - they usually stick around through mid-November.
- Tourist numbers remain genuinely low in November - you're looking at maybe 50-100 international visitors across all three islands. This means you'll have beaches like Chomoni and Itsandra practically to yourself, and accommodation prices stay reasonable at 30-40% below July-August rates.
- The ylang-ylang harvest is in full swing during November, and distilleries across Grande Comore and Anjouan are operating at capacity. You can actually watch the distillation process and the scent across the islands is incredible - this is what puts Comoros on the perfume industry map.
Considerations
- November sits in an awkward booking window - flights from Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Dar es Salaam are limited to 2-3 weekly connections, and prices haven't dropped to their January-March lows yet. Expect to pay USD 600-900 for regional flights, and you'll need flexibility with your dates.
- The transition between seasons means weather can be genuinely unpredictable. You might get three perfect days followed by an unexpected tropical depression that brings 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in 24 hours. The forecast accuracy here is poor, so you need backup plans.
- Infrastructure challenges become more apparent when you're one of few tourists - boat transfers between islands sometimes get cancelled if there aren't enough passengers to make it economical. The Moroni-Anjouan boat runs only twice weekly in November, not daily like in peak season.
Best Activities in November
Mount Karthala volcano hiking expeditions
November offers the sweet spot for tackling this active volcano - the 16 km (10 mile) round-trip hike to the crater rim at 2,361 m (7,746 ft). The trails have dried out enough to be manageable but vegetation is still green from the wet season. You'll need to start at 2am to reach the summit by sunrise and avoid afternoon clouds that roll in around 11am. The sulfur vents are particularly active right now, and on clear days you get views across to Mayotte 70 km (43 miles) away. Temperature drops to around 12°C (54°F) at the summit, so you actually need layers.
Mohéli Marine Park snorkeling and diving
The water clarity in November is genuinely exceptional, and this is your last chance to potentially spot whale sharks before they migrate. The marine park covers 404 km² (156 sq miles) and protects some of the healthiest coral reefs in the Western Indian Ocean. Green turtles are nesting on the beaches throughout November, and you can join guided night watches. The park is also one of the few places where coelacanths have been photographed, though seeing one requires serious technical diving. Day trips typically include 2-3 snorkel sites plus a beach lunch.
Ylang-ylang distillery tours and plantation visits
November is peak distillation season when the yellow flowers are harvested before dawn and processed the same day. The island of Anjouan produces 50-60% of the world's ylang-ylang essential oil, and watching the traditional distillation process is fascinating - it takes 24 hours of steam distillation to extract the oil. You'll see the entire process from flower picking to bottling, and the scent is overwhelming in the best way. Many distilleries also grow vanilla, cloves, and black pepper, so it's a full sensory experience.
Traditional fishing village experiences and boat building
The November seas are calm enough for the traditional ngalawa outrigger canoes to head out daily, and fishing villages like Itsamia and Chindini welcome visitors who want to understand local life beyond the tourist veneer. You can join early morning fishing trips (departing 5am), watch boat builders craft ngalawas using traditional techniques, or help women process the catch. The social structure here is matrilineal, and spending time in villages gives insight into how that actually works in practice.
Anjouan coastal hiking and waterfall routes
Anjouan is the most mountainous island with peaks reaching 1,595 m (5,233 ft), and November weather makes the coastal trails manageable. The hike from Moya to Dziani Boundouni crater lake covers 8 km (5 miles) through vanilla plantations and offers views of the turquoise crater. The watfall trails near Pomoni lead through dense forest to swimming holes - the water is cold and incredibly clear. These trails see maybe 20 hikers per month, so you're genuinely exploring rather than following tourist routes.
Moroni medina walking tours and spice markets
The capital's old medina is a maze of narrow streets where Swahili, Arab, and French colonial influences collide. November mornings (7am-10am) are perfect for exploring before the heat builds - the temperature is bearable and the Volo Volo market is at its busiest. You'll see everything from fresh tuna being butchered to traditional wedding fabrics. The Friday Mosque dates to 1427 and is one of the oldest in the region. The waterfront corniche offers sunset views of fishing boats returning with the day's catch.
November Events & Festivals
Independence Day celebrations
November 6th marks independence from France in 1975, and while celebrations aren't tourist-focused, they offer genuine cultural insight. Expect parades in Moroni, traditional music and dance performances, and communal feasts. The main events happen at Place de l'Indépendance in Moroni, with smaller celebrations in Mutsamudu and Fomboni. It's worth experiencing if your dates align, though don't expect organized tourist activities - this is locals celebrating for themselves.