Comoros Safety Guide 2025
Stay safe during your Comoros trip with essential safety information.
Safety Overview
Comoros is a relatively safe destination for travelers willing to exercise basic precautions. Violent crime against tourists is rare, but political instability, occasional demonstrations, and petty theft in crowded areas warrant vigilance. The main risks are health-related (malaria, traveler's diarrhea, limited medical facilities) and logistical (limited emergency services, rough inter-island boat travel).
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.
Current Advisory
Most Western governments advise normal travel precautions for Comoros with heightened awareness during periods of political tension, which occur periodically. Check your government's travel advisory before departure and monitor local conditions during your stay.
Last updated: 2025-01
Travel Advisories
Official warnings and recommendations from government sources.
US State Department
Exercise increased caution due to crime and civil unrest. Demonstrations and strikes occur periodically and can turn violent unexpectedly.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Exercise normal safety precautions. Be aware of the potential for political unrest and avoid all demonstrations.
Official Advisory Sources
- 🇺🇸 US: travel.state.gov
- 🇬🇧 UK: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- 🇨🇦 Canada: travel.gc.ca
- 🇦🇺 Australia: smartraveller.gov.au
Safety Checklist & Emergency Card
Download our printable safety checklist and emergency contact card.
Common Scams to Avoid
Be aware of these common tourist scams.
Unofficial taxi overcharging
Drivers without official registration, particularly near the airport and tourist hotels, may quote inflated fares to new arrivals. Prices 3-5x the standard rate are common when visitors don't negotiate.
Unsolicited guide offers at medina entrance
Self-appointed guides in Moroni's medina and at Mutsamudu may insist their services are mandatory, then charge inflated fees or lead visitors to commission-paying shops.
Overpriced ylang-ylang and vanilla near tourist areas
Street sellers near resort hotels and at the airport charge 3-5x market price for ylang-ylang oil and vanilla pods. Quality is also inconsistent from these sellers.
Fake informal inter-island boat services
Informal operators occasionally offer cheap inter-island boat crossings that lack safety equipment, proper licensing, or weather monitoring. Accidents including capsizing have occurred.
Essential Safety Tips
Practical advice for staying safe during your trip.
Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings
Secure belongings in crowded markets and beaches
Use only registered taxis and avoid inter-island boat travel at night
Do not rely on U.S. government assistance for emergencies
Monitor local media for updates on civil unrest
Keep passport and travel documents secure at all times
Register with your country's embassy or consulate upon arrival — Comoros experiences occasional political unrest and registration ensures you can be reached in an emergency.
Use only authorised inter-island boat services or Comores Aviation flights for island hopping. Informal fishing boats may offer cheap passage but lack life jackets and safety equipment; maritime accidents have occurred.
Malaria is present on all three islands — begin prophylaxis before travel, use DEET repellent from dusk onwards, and sleep under permethrin-treated nets, especially in rural areas.
Photography of government buildings, military installations, the presidential palace in Moroni, and ports is strictly prohibited. Ask permission before photographing local people, particularly women in traditional dress.
Dress conservatively in all public areas outside beach resorts — Comoros is a deeply Islamic society and immodest dress draws unwanted attention and disrespect from local communities.
Be cautious around the Moroni waterfront and medina after dark — while violent crime against tourists is rare, petty theft and bag-snatching can occur in poorly lit areas late at night.
Safety by Traveler Type
Solo Travelers
Solo travel in Comoros is generally safe for experienced independent travelers. Moroni and the resort areas are relatively safe during daylight. Solo women may experience persistent (though rarely aggressive) attention in markets and the medina — confident, modest dress and purposeful walking reduces unwanted interaction. Solo travelers should inform accommodation of their day plans, especially for Karthala treks and Mohéli excursions where mobile coverage is absent.
Female Travelers
Female travelers should dress modestly in all areas outside beach resorts — covering shoulders and knees is strongly recommended and dramatically reduces unwanted attention. Female travelers may be followed or approached in markets and the medina, but aggressive harassment is uncommon. Avoid walking alone in unlit areas after dark. Women traveling with a male companion or in groups experience significantly fewer issues. Comorian women are generally welcoming and happy to advise on local customs.
Families
Comoros is family-friendly for families with children 8+. The main safety considerations for families are health-related: malaria prophylaxis for all family members, sun protection, bottled water only, and bringing children's medications from home (pharmacies have very limited stock). Chomoni and Mitsamiouli beaches are calm and safe for children. Mohéli Marine Park is suitable for older children who can snorkel. The limited medical facilities mean any serious childhood illness will require evacuation.
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Comoros and carry potential prison sentences. LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise significant discretion — public displays of affection between same-sex couples are not safe and could result in legal consequences or harassment. Comoros is a deeply conservative Muslim society with no legal recognition of same-sex relationships. Traveling as same-sex friends and keeping a low profile is strongly advised. Discretion should be exercised at all times.
Health & Medical
Stay healthy during your trip.
Vaccinations
Required: Yellow fever (if arriving from endemic areas). Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Rabies (for rural areas). Malaria prophylaxis highly recommended — Comoros is a malaria-endemic zone year-round.
Water Safety
Not safe to drink. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Bottled water widely available at $1 per 1.5L. Avoid ice in drinks unless from trusted sources such as resort hotels.
Food Safety
Thoroughly cooked food from reputable restaurants is generally safe. Avoid raw shellfish and undercooked fish from unknown vendors. Street food from busy stalls with high turnover is generally safe. Fruit you peel yourself (bananas, coconut) is always a safe choice.
Medical Facilities
Moroni's El-Maarouf Hospital is the main public hospital but has limited facilities by Western standards. A small private clinic (Cabinet Médical Dr Abderemane) operates in Moroni for general consultation. For serious medical emergencies, medical evacuation to Réunion or mainland France is standard — ensure your travel insurance covers emergency medical evacuation.
Medication Tips
- Bring enough prescription medication for your entire trip plus extra
- Keep medications in original containers with pharmacy labels
- Carry a letter from your doctor explaining your medications
- Some medications may be restricted - research before traveling
- Pack basic medications: pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines
Emergency Contacts
Important numbers to have on hand.
Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance
Medical Emergency
Hospitals and clinics
Your Embassy
Consular assistance
Tourist Police
Tourist assistance
Before You Go
- Register with your embassy's travel notification program
- Save emergency numbers in your phone
- Note your hotel's address in local language
- Share your itinerary with family/friends
- Know your travel insurance emergency hotline
Travel Confidently in Comoros
Get our complete safety guide with emergency card, insurance recommendations, and area-by-area safety ratings.
Download Safety Guide