The Comoros offer recreational activities typical of tropical islands: fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving, boating and generally relaxing on a beach.
Beaches
For beaches, try the beautiful white-sand beach with clear water at the village of Itsandra close to Moroni, which has good hotels and makes for an excellent base when staying on Grande Comore. The long, white-sand beach at Mitsamiouli is popular with locals. For something more remote, try the bay of Chomi with black lava rocks and white sand.
Moheli and Anjouan have beautiful beaches as well, one of the best and most isolated being Sombe Beach on Anjouan.
Boating & Sailing
Several companies offer sailing and boat trips in the huge lagoon of Mayotte. Try Mayotte Decouverte (phone 691-724) in Mamoudzou and Mayotte Voile (phone 690-259) on Plage de Sakouli.
Sea Blue Safari (phone 610-763) in Mamoudzou arranges dolphin- and whale-watching trips.
Fishing
Visitors to the Comoros also can go on fishing excursions along the coast, offshore or near the site of the Vailheu Bank. The most common fish include marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dolphin, giant trevally, goliath grouper and barracuda. You can also try traditional Comorian fishing with locals.
Hiking & Walking
The most glorious hike of the Comoros is a trek up Mount Karthala (7,746 ft/2,361 m), but it should only be attempted April-November. The hike can be done in a long day, but two days (with camping on the summit) are more rewarding. The volcano last erupted in 2005 and left a lunar landscape that you should explore only with a local guide. Comoros Travel Services organizes walking excursions with tents. Phone 770-055.
The cool wooded highlands of Anjouan are prime hiking territory. You can walk to the crater lakes Lac Dzialaoutsounga and Lac Dzialandze on the slopes of Mount Ntingui (5,233 ft/1,595 m) and up to the usually cloud-covered peak. On a clear day, however, you will enjoy a commanding view of all four islands.
On Mayotte, the Sazile Peninsula, which has colorful dunes and sea turtles on the beaches, is recommended for hiking.
Scuba & Snorkeling
The east coast of Grande Comore features several great diving sites in crystal clear waters. The most spectacular one is Vailheu Bank, a deep-sea coral reef with big fish such as white-tip sharks, hammerhead sharks, goliath grouper, giant trevallies, tunas and giant wrasses. The wreck of the cargo ship
Massiwa, located north of the island, is also popular with divers.
Diving lessons with French instructors and excursions are offered by the reliable company Itsandra Plongee on Grande Comore (phone 734-409 or 334-409; http://www.itsandra-plongee.com). On Mayotte, several companies offer diving and snorkeling excursions. Lagon Maore, which is attached to Le Jardin Maore hotel, is recommended. Phone 601-419.
Shopping
Shop for French items and local handicrafts, such as geometric wood carvings, Mayotte silver jewelry and perfume. Shells and some coral products are also for sale, but we do not recommend buying them.
On Anjouan, pick up the very beautiful embroidery made by expert craftspeople in Domoni. They also produce some of the most beautiful woodcarvings of the Comoros there.
Shopping Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 am-noon and 3-5 pm.
Day By Day
Given the short distances between them, you can see the islands in any order. We'd recommend a minimum of one week if you're interested in diving or fishing; nondivers will probably be happy with two nights each on Grande Comore and Anjouan and three nights on Mayotte.
