The Comoros archipelago is a hidden gem in the Indian Ocean, offering pristine beaches, active volcanoes, and rich Swahili-Arab culture. With lush tropical forests, world-class diving, and warm hospitality, this off-the-beaten-path destination promises authentic island adventures.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Mohéli Island
Mohéli is the smallest of Comoros' three main islands and the least developed, built around the Mohéli Marine Park, the country's first national park. The reason to fly over for the day is the combination of the Nioumachoua islets just offshore and the green turtle nesting beaches near Itsamia on the south coast. It is a slower, quieter island than Grande Comore, with far fewer vehicles and a fishing-village pace of life in the capital, Fomboni.
Highlights: Mohéli Marine Park turtle watching · Nioumachoua pristine beach · Dziani Boundouni crater lake · Fomboni morning market
Anjouan Island (Mutsamudu)
Anjouan is the most mountainous of the three islands, and Mutsamudu is its old trading port, still laid out as a warren of narrow stone streets around a historic core. The city grew rich on the ylang-ylang and clove trade with the old Sultan's Palace as its centrepiece, and the surrounding hills rise steeply to Mount Ntringui, the island's highest peak. A day here is really a contrast between a dense old port town and the terraced, green interior just behind it.
Highlights: Mutsamudu historic medina and Sultan's Palace · Vanilla and ylang-ylang plantations · Pomoni Bay snorkelling · Ouani spice market
Mitsamiouli Beach & Lac Salé
Mitsamiouli is the northernmost town on Grande Comore, a working fishing community with a long beach on the coast just below it. The reason to make the trip is Lac Salé, a striking crater lake a short walk from the coast road, its water a distinct green from the volcanic mineral deposits in the crater walls. Together they give a half-day pairing of beach time and an easy short walk to see a genuinely unusual geological feature.
Highlights: Mitsamiouli white-sand beach (unusual for volcanic islands) · Lac Salé mysterious saltwater crater lake · La Grille volcanic highland views · Fresh lobster lunch at beachfront restaurants
Chomoni Beach & Bangoi Kouni Lava Caves
Chomoni is the beach closest to Moroni that locals actually go to on weekends, a mix of black volcanic sand and paler stretches backed by simple straw shelters. What makes the trip more than just a beach day is the Bangoi Kouni lava caves nearby, tunnels left behind by old Karthala lava flows that you can walk into on foot. It is an easy half-day combination of swimming and a short, low-effort bit of exploring.
Highlights: Chomoni dramatic black volcanic sand beach · Bangoi Kouni lava tube caves · Chissioua Mbouzi islet boat trips · Beachside grilled fish lunch
Iconi & Southern Coastal Drive
Iconi is a village just south of Moroni known above all for the cliff above the sea where, according to local history, women threw themselves rather than be taken by 18th-century Malagasy raiders. It is one of the closest genuine day trips to Moroni, easily paired with a longer drive down the southern coast road through smaller fishing villages. The appeal is how quickly you're out of the capital and into a much quieter, cliff-and-coast landscape.
Highlights: Iconi ancient fortress and village · Moroni southern coastal volcanic scenery · Coelacanth Marine Centre at Itsandra · Ylang-ylang distillery visit
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours to Karthala, Chomoni, and northern Grande Comore from $50-80 per person including transport and guide, bookable through resort hotels
- Private
- Private car hire with driver from $50-70/day — best for flexibility on day trips around Grande Comore; ask at your hotel for trusted drivers
- Public
- Shared taxi-brousses (minibuses) from Volo Volo taxi station connect Moroni to Mitsamiouli, Chomoni, and other towns for $0.50-2 per person; depart when full
- Rental
- Car rental from $40-70/day available at Moroni airport; 4WD recommended for highland and rural roads; essential for reaching La Grille and plantation areas
Multi-day tours from Comoros
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from ComorosWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start all day trips from Moroni before 8 AM — roads get busier, heat builds, and shared taxis fill up with local workers commuting to town by mid-morning
Carry sufficient Comorian Francs in small denominations — many day trip destinations have no ATMs and vendors cannot accept cards
For inter-island day trips (Mohéli or Anjouan), book domestic flights at least 2-3 days in advance through Ewa Air or AB Aviation offices in Moroni
Bring a full supply of water and snacks for any day trip outside Moroni — facilities at beaches and natural sites are basic to nonexistent
Negotiate the return time with any private taxi driver hired for the day before departing — agree on pick-up time and location to avoid being stranded