N'Droude Beach

N'Droude lies on Grande Comore's northern coast east of Mitsamiouli, a stretch of sand and rock with reef starting close to shore and almost nothing built along it. Fishing pirogues work off the beach and the village behind it is small. It is one of the quieter places to swim and snorkel on the island, and the water is clear when the swell is down. The reef along this coast drops off quickly, so the water goes from waist deep to well over your head within a short swim. Local fishermen use the beach through the day and the village behind lives on what comes off it.

What you actually see

• The near-shore reef - coral within an easy swim of the beach.
• The pirogues - fishing boats worked off the sand.
• The quiet - a stretch of coast with almost nothing developed.
• The clear water - good visibility when the swell is down.

When to go

May to October is the drier and cooler season. The rains run November to April. Mornings are calmest for snorkelling.

Honest expectations

There are no facilities of any kind. The track in is rough. Currents on this coast can be strong outside the reef.

Nearby

Trou du Prophete is west, and Mitsamiouli is west beyond it.