Mohéli and its Marine Park

Mohéli, the smallest, least-developed and most beautiful of the Comoros islands, is a green, unspoilt gem, and its surrounding waters are protected by the Mohéli Marine Park, the country's pioneering conservation area. This pristine realm of coral reefs, scattered turquoise islets and quiet beaches is one of the most important sea-turtle nesting sites in the Indian Ocean, where green turtles come ashore in great numbers, and its waters shelter rare dugongs, dolphins, and, in season, migrating humpback whales. Community-run eco-lodges, snorkelling among the reefs, turtle-watching on moonlit beaches, and the island's lush, jungly interior make it a magical, off-the-beaten-path escape.

What you actually see

• The nesting turtles - the green turtles that nest in great numbers.
• The marine park - the pristine reefs and turquoise islets.
• The dugongs and whales - the rare marine mammals of the waters.
• The unspoilt island - the green, jungly interior and beaches.

When to go

May to October, the cooler, drier season, for the best weather and conditions, with humpback whales passing roughly July to October; sea turtles nest at various times through the year. The island is reached by a small flight or boat, and explored from simple community-run eco-lodges, a rustic and rewarding escape.

Honest expectations

Mohéli is deeply remote and undeveloped, reached by small flights or boats and offering only simple community-run eco-lodges with basic facilities, so it suits adventurous, eco-minded travellers rather than those wanting comfort, and the Comoros overall is little-visited with limited infrastructure. For the reward of a pristine, unspoilt island and marine park, with nesting turtles, dugongs and whales far from any crowd, though, Mohéli is a genuine and magical hidden gem of the Indian Ocean.

Nearby

The islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan are reached by flight or boat.