Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

7 May 2026

4-minute read

In the heart of the Mozambique Channel, the Comoros remain one of the Indian Ocean’s most authentic island destinations. The archipelago is still far from mass tourism. Each island has its own identity: Grande Comore for Mount Karthala and Moroni, Mohéli for marine wildlife and ecotourism, and Anjouan for mountain scenery, perfume plants and cultural immersion.

Nouredine Yusuf, originally from the Comoros Islands, now living in Germany, says that the Comoros Islands are located close to the Mozambique coastland and Dar-es-Salaam, and they neighbour Madagascar. For South Africans, getting there is best via Ethiopia, Kenya or Tanzania, where you can even take a boat across to the island. Most local people living on the island speak the native language of Shikomori along with French, and either Swahili or Arabic, with very few of them speaking English.

Drawing tourists to visit the Comoros Islands are its authentic nature, untouched beauty, and the warm hospitality of its people. Among the group of islands that make up the Comoros, the one that is the most unique is Moroni Island – the least developed and home to a marine park where one can swim with turtles and even witness them laying their eggs at night.

While the Comoros Island is renowned for its stunning beaches, Nouredine rated the quiet and serene Maluja Beach as one of the best for swimming in relative privacy. An abundance of water activities like snorkelling in the lagoon, diving, swimming with the dolphins, and watching the whales can all be enjoyed from the island.

Tourists can also visit the tropical forests located in the mountains, where mountain climbing, hiking and canoeing are on offer. Anjouan boasts amazing mountain scenery, and the fragrant vanilla plants and exotic ylang-ylang perfume plants are found here. A visit to the natural highlight of the volcanoes can also be included in one’s itinerary.

From luxurious and expensive 5-star hotels to more affordable eco-lodges and guesthouses, there are a variety of accommodation options available to visitors.

Islam is the prevalent religion on the Comoros Islands, with the majority of the people being Muslim. There are masaajid everywhere and the adhaan is called aloud for every salaah. Businesses are stopped at the time of salaah and almost everyone attends the masjid to pray in congregation.

Finding halal food is easy and straightforward during one’s stay on the island. Local dishes or flavours that stand out to Nouredine are samosas, hummus with tuna, spicy rice pilau and Madaba – a dish made from the casava plant and cooked in coconut milk and spices.

Nouredine’s advice for travellers interested in exploring the Comoros Islands is to take cash along in the local currency, as the ATM’s often do not work. He also suggests learning a little bit of the local language: Marhaba meaning thank you, and Karibu meaning welcome. And lastly “bring your time” he advises laughingly, because things in the Comoros Islands happen at an unhurried pace and you will have to wait patiently as your adventure unfolds slowly before you.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Ibrahim Daya, Ml Muhammad Kara and Nouredine Yusuf here.