Halal holidays in Comoros: choosing islands, season and pace

The three islands in brief

Grande Comore is the largest, home to the capital Moroni and the volcano Karthala. Anjouan is greener and more rugged, with old towns and hillside villages. Mohéli is the smallest and quietest, centred on a national park and a marine area.

Each island has its own feel, so decide whether you want culture and markets, hiking, or wildlife before choosing how many to visit.

When to go

Humpback whales can be seen from mid-August to mid-October around Mohéli, which makes this one of the most attractive windows for wildlife lovers. Other months suit beach, village and hiking visits, though weather varies by island and season.

If you want to avoid fasting during hot days, check the Ramadan dates for your year. Local life changes during the month, and so do opening hours and available services.

Weather and sea conditions vary between islands, so ask your agency or lodge what to expect for your dates.

Getting there and moving between islands

Ewa Air, a Comorian airline, lists up to seven weekly flights between Dzaoudzi in Mayotte and Moroni, and up to three weekly to Anjouan, subject to government approval. Check these details before booking, as they are not fixed.

Flights can be full and delays happen, so avoid tight connections. Leave a buffer day before your international departure, especially if you are travelling to a different island at the end of your trip.

Moroni's airport is the main entry point, and local agencies there can arrange transfers, guides and onward bookings if you contact them before arrival.

Nature and activities

Mohéli National Park offers diving, whale watching and turtle sightings, and the Laka Lodge ecolodge there runs a PADI diving school. A 15-day small-group trip run by a French operator covers all three islands and includes night-time turtle observation at Itsamia.

Hiking Mount Karthala on Grande Comore is demanding and normally done with a local guide. Ask about conditions, volcanic activity and permits through local agencies in Moroni.

• Whale watching: mid-August to mid-October, around Mohéli.
• Diving and snorkelling: through lodges and dive schools.
• Turtle observation at night, with a local guide.
• Village walks and market visits on Anjouan and Grande Comore.

A holiday day that respects prayer and modesty

Plan activities between prayers: boat trips and dives in the morning, rest at midday, village walks after asr. The call to prayer from the village mosque is a useful reminder of the time wherever you stay.

Women can swim in a full-coverage swimsuit or loose clothing, and beaches away from villages are quiet. Keep shoulders and knees covered when walking through settlements, even on holiday. Friday midday prayer is the main weekly gathering, so keep that slot free in towns.

Food on the road

Meals tend to feature fish, rice, cassava and coconut. Laka Lodge, for instance, serves a fixed daily menu that is mostly fish or seafood, with special diets on request. No halal-certified venue was verified, so ask who prepares your meals.

Budget and practicalities

Costs depend heavily on whether you travel independently, through a local agency or with an international group. Flights between islands and diving are the largest items, while meals in local eateries are modest.

Bring cash, since cards are not widely accepted outside larger hotels. Pack insect repellent, sun protection and a light rain jacket, and ask a travel clinic about vaccinations.

Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is worth considering, since care on the islands is limited and distances to major hospitals are long.

A sample ten-day itinerary

This outline is flexible and assumes whale season, with margins for flight changes.

• Days 1 to 3: arrival in Moroni, the old town, markets and the coast of Grande Comore.
• Days 4 to 6: Anjouan, with hillside villages and old streets.
• Days 7 to 9: Mohéli, whale watching, diving and park walks.
• Day 10: buffer day and departure.