The Islands of Comoros are a major tourist attraction that remains unexplored. They ooze natural beauty and wonders.
If you are looking into exploring some African Islands, heading to Comoros is an excellent place to start. An island adventure should be on your list of things to do in 2022.
Comoros is a state made up of three Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. Comoros claims Mayotte, the fourth island in the Comorian archipelago, but France controls it.
The volcanic islands of the Comorian archipelago have been dubbed the “perfumed islands” because of their fragrant vegetation. They are also well-known for their outstanding beauty and appearance. The archipelago’s four main islands, dubbed “four little sparkling stones,” are squeezed between Madagascar’s big red island and the Mozambican coast. Arab, African, and French traditions have all affected this African destination. They used to play a significant role in the Indian Ocean trade between East Africa and Asian ports such as India and Japan.
If you want an Island adventure, there is no better place to find it than Comoros islands. Let’s have a closer look at what these islands have to offer.
Table of Contents
Grande Comore (N’gazidja)
Grande Comore is where you find the capital of Comoros, Moroni. It is the largest island among the four; it will not disappoint. The island is like an untouched paradise. It may seem small, and you are worried about what you will do there, but don’t worry, there is plenty to do.
The Market
You can spend the day exploring the Medina that surrounds the Mosque. The town has old neighbourhoods and alleys that are like a maze. The city is so full of history and culture. You will find your mix of Arabic, Swahili, and French. Unfortunately, the town is poorly maintained, but you can still feel the vibe. You will be fascinated by the Vola Vola Market. Here you will buy local products and souvenirs to take home with you.
We mentioned before that Comoros is known for its perfume fragrance plants. You can buy some of the essential oils they make there at the market. A fun fact: Comoros produces 65% of the world’s essence. You will find ylang-ylang, jasmine, orange, among others.
You will also see the Nouvelle Mosquee de Vendredi Mosque, dating back to the 1420s. It is Moroni’s famous landmark.
Lake Sale
There is the beautiful lake Sale. It has some beautiful views from the top of the hill, and you can see the small crater with its bottomless water. But it is advised not to take a dip in it. The locals call it a sacred place.
Resort and Spa
You can stay and relax at the best resort in the country. It is the Golden Tulip Resort and Spa. You can enjoy some time at the beach, spa, and their lovely restaurant. The beaches offer snorkelling if you are looking for some water exploration.
If you want a hangout place on the island, you can hang out at the Trou du Prophete. It means the hole of the Prophet. You will hear many exciting stories there about the Prophet Mohamed. There is also a guest house there called the Baobab Magic Backpacker. It is a great place to go for fresh fish bbq.
The beach
Make sure to visit one of the world-class beaches, Mitsamiouli Beach. It stands up to other beaches in the world. You can have a peaceful day at the beach with some days having it entirely to yourself. How great is that? It is an untouched beach.
You can visit Iconic; back in the 12th century, this was a major trading post. It was also the capital of Comoro. The infrastructure is impressive; you will genuinely feel the history.
Hiking
Finally, you can go hiking Mt Karthala. This will need a full day. To add to the excitement of the hike, this is an active volcano. Do not worry. It hasn’t erupted since 2005. You will pass through a jungle and see fields of black ash. You will even walk in one of the world’s largest craters.
You can have quite the adventure here.
Moheli (Mwali)
If you are looking for a peaceful, tranquil Island, Moheli is it. There are no crowded beaches as they do not get many tourists. The water is clear; the beaches are clean pristine.
This is the place you can spend some time with some marine life. You can see and swim with humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles. There is a chance for you to go scuba diving and have a full view of marine life, even see some rare dugongs.
Just be sure to plan your transportation from the Main Island to Moheli.
Anjouan (Ndzuwani)
Anjouan is full of beautiful lush vegetation. If you are looking for a hike through a beautiful forest to stunning views, this is where to go. You can take a walk up Mt Ntingui. When it is all clear, you can view all four islands fully, tt is truly breathtaking.
Lake Dzia Landze is another excellent site in Anjouan to visit. This lake is in the centre of the island. It is a beautiful sight because it is surrounded by lush greenery in a crater. It is a lovely spot for photoshoots. Unfortunately, the lake is a protected wetland, so there are no water sports or swimming. It is also sacred to the locals, who believe their guardian spirits live there. You can hike up the hills surrounding the lake for great views.
Mayotte (Mahore)
Mayotte is a gem in the Indian Ocean, it is another unexplored Island of Comoros. Even though it is under the French it is still part of Comoros. You can enjoy island pleasures here too. There are several diving spots on the island. You can enjoy exploring the waters surrounding Mayotte.
You can enjoy time with the lemur. They are indigenous to the island. You are even allowed to feed them as they are used to being around people. They love the attention and bananas.
Mayotte has some beautiful beaches. You will enjoy your time visiting Ngouja beach, Sakouli beach, Sohoa beach, and Boueni beaches. They each have something different to offer.
Are you a turtle lover? This is the place you can come close and personal with turtles. You can be in their natural habitat, swim with them, and see how they live. You can even take time to witness the spawning of green turtles.
You can explore the city Mamoudzou; there are some markets there in the middle of the city that you will enjoy. You can take away trinkets to share with family and friends.
The Islands have so much more to offer, you can take your time and enjoy your vacation visiting each island and taking it all in.