Grande Comore (Ngazidja)
The largest island holds the capital, Moroni, with its old medina, Friday Mosque and the international airport at Hahaya. North of the city, the north coast of Grande Comore has the country's best known white sand beaches around Mitsamiouli, plus the crater lake of Lac Salé. Rising over everything is Mount Karthala, an active volcano with a vast summit crater and a tough but unforgettable climb.
Anjouan (Ndzuwani)
Anjouan is the steepest and greenest island, with waterfalls, ylang-ylang distilleries, the citadel town of Mutsamudu and the old stone lanes of Domoni.
Mohéli (Mwali)
Mohéli is the smallest and quietest island, almost entirely wrapped in a marine park. Turtles nest on its beaches, humpback whales pass offshore in season and small islets lie off the village of Nioumachoua.
How to combine them
A week works well for Grande Comore alone: a few days in Moroni, a night or two on the north coast and, for fit walkers, two days on Karthala. With ten days to two weeks, add Anjouan or Mohéli by short domestic flight. Always leave a spare day before your international flight home, because inter-island flights and boats are often delayed or rescheduled. Use the free trip planner to shape a route that fits.