Check the weather city by city, starting with Moroni.
The Comoros are a volcanic archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique: Karthala (2,361 m, home to one of the world's largest active craters), white-sand beaches, unspoilt coral reefs, and a unique Swahili-Arab culture. One of the least touristy destinations in the world, still far off the beaten track — a Zanzibar without the crowds.
Karthala (2,361 m) is one of the world's largest active volcanoes in terms of caldera size (3 × 4 km). The 2-day ascent crosses tropical forest and giant heather moorland before reaching a smoking crater of spectacular scale. The last major eruption was in 2007. A lightly marked trek for adventurous travellers.
Highlights : Karthala ascent (2 days, guide required), Humid tropical forest on Karthala's slopes.
Mohéli is the smallest and least populated of the main Comorian islands: its Marine Park (the only one in the country) protects the long beaches where green turtles nest from May to September, as well as dolphins, dugongs and humpback whales (July–September). An almost untouched island, reached by small plane from Moroni.
Highlights : Green turtle nesting (May–September, at night), Humpback whales (July–September), Nioumachoua Beach — marine park snorkelling, Snorkelling with dolphins and dugongs.
Anjouan, the most fragrant of the islands, is the island of ylang-ylang flowers, whose essence is used in Chanel No. 5. It is also home to the Moya forest, one of the last refuges of the critically endangered Comoros blue pigeon. The cliffs of Dzialandzé and the old town of Mutsamudu (with its Swahili-Arab architecture) are other highlights.
Highlights : Ylang-ylang distilleries — Chanel No. 5 at the source, Moya Forest — a rare nature reserve, Mutsamudu — Swahili-Arab old town with a Portuguese fort.
Moroni, the Comorian capital, is a small city with a Swahili-Arab feel: the Badjanani medina with its white lanes, mosques with distinctive minarets, the dhow harbour (a dhow is a traditional Arab sailing vessel), and the lively Volo-Volo market. A blend of Africa, Arabia and Malagasy traditions.
Highlights : Badjanani medina — white lanes and mosques, Dhow harbour — traditional Arab sailing vessels, Old Friday Mosque (12th century).
The Comoros are affordable but still underdeveloped for tourism — quality accommodation is scarce and expensive for what it offers. The islands are served by small inter-island planes. The Comorian franc is pegged to the euro.