Comoros travel guide
The Union of the Comoros is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, between Mozambique and Madagascar, made up of three volcanic islands: Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Mohéli (Mwali) and Anjouan (Ndzuani). It has an active volcano, turtle-nesting beaches, the scent of ylang-ylang plantations and a Swahili-Arab island culture. Few tourists visit and facilities are basic, so it suits independent-minded travellers who value quiet and authenticity over comfort.
Places worth the trip
Mount Karthala, Grande Comore
One of the world's largest active volcanoes by crater size, rising above the capital. A guided climb through forest to the summit crater is a long, tough day or an overnight trip with camping; check current conditions with local guides before you go.
Moroni's old town
The capital's medina has narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and the white Old Friday Mosque beside the harbour. The waterfront and the main market are the centre of daily life.
Mohéli Marine Park
The smallest and least developed island protects reefs, mangroves and islets. Green turtles nest on beaches such as Itsamia year-round, and humpback whales pass offshore in the southern winter.
Mutsamudu and Anjouan's interior
Anjouan's main town has a hilltop citadel and a maze-like old quarter. Inland, steep green valleys, waterfalls and the crater lake of Dzialandzé reward hikers, and the island is known for its ylang-ylang and clove plantations.
Northern Grande Comore
Lac Salé, a saltwater crater lake beside the sea, the beach at Chomoni and lava flows meeting the ocean make a good day trip around the north of the island.
Village life and the grand marriage
The 'grand mariage' on Grande Comore is a costly, days-long celebration that marks a man's social status, with music, dancing and feasts. Visitors may see processions in villages during the wedding season, which is usually in the dry months.
Interesting facts about Comoros
- The coelacanth, a fish once thought extinct for millions of years, lives in the deep waters off the Comoros, and specimens from these waters helped scientists study it.
- The Comoros is one of the world's leading producers of ylang-ylang, a flower oil used in perfumes.
- Livingstone's fruit bat, one of the largest bats in the world, is found only on Anjouan and Mohéli.
- Mayotte, the fourth island of the Comoros archipelago, is administered by France and uses the euro.
- The country has three official languages: Comorian (Shikomori), Arabic and French.
Best time to visit Comoros
The cooler dry season, roughly from May to October, is the most comfortable time to visit, with less humidity and better conditions for hiking Karthala. The hot, humid rainy season runs from about November to April, with the possibility of cyclones from December to March. Turtles nest on Mohéli year-round, and humpback whales are usually seen from around July to October. The Comoros is a Muslim country, so expect a slower pace during Ramadan.
Getting around
Shared taxis and minibuses run along the coastal roads of each island and are the cheapest way to get around; private taxis and drivers with cars can be hired by the day. Roads are often narrow and potholed in the interior. Inter-island travel is by short domestic flights or boats; schedules can change at short notice, so leave slack in your plans. Guides are useful for hikes and for getting to remote beaches.
Practical details
- Capital
- Moroni
- Currency
- Comorian franc (KMF)
- Languages
- Comorian (Shikomori), Arabic, French
- Plug types
- C, E
- Voltage
- 220 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 17 police, 18 fire; services are limited, so check other numbers locally and keep your embassy's contacts to hand
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not expected in everyday life, but tips for guides, drivers and boat crews are appreciated.
Staying online in Comoros
Mobile coverage is available in Moroni, Mutsamudu and the main towns, and along much of the coast, but data speeds can be slow and service in the mountainous interior and on remote beaches is patchy. Mohéli has the weakest coverage of the three islands. Wi-Fi is mostly limited to some hotels and guesthouses and can be unreliable, and power cuts happen. Download offline maps and translation packs, carry a power bank, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Download the islands for offline use before you arrive, as signal is unreliable away from towns.
- Google Translate: Download French and Arabic offline; English is not widely spoken.
- WhatsApp: The usual way to contact guesthouses, guides and drivers.
- XE Currency: Convert Comorian francs; cash is needed for most purchases.
Comoros travel FAQs
No. Mayotte is part of the same island chain but is administered by France, with the euro and French systems. The Union of the Comoros is the independent country of Grande Comore, Mohéli and Anjouan.
The Comoros is a conservative Muslim country, so dress modestly in towns and villages, covering shoulders and knees. Swimwear is fine on beaches near hotels, but cover up when you leave.
In the main towns and along much of the coast, yes, though speeds vary and coverage drops in the interior and on Mohéli. A travel eSIM gives you data where networks reach while your home number stays active.
Yes. Card payments are rare outside a few hotels, and ATMs are limited, mainly in Moroni. Bring enough cash, ideally euros to exchange, and keep small notes for taxis and markets.