What's on in Moroni, Comoros through the year

Quiet — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  19 Feb – 20 MarClosures

  The Comoros is almost entirely Muslim and Moroni runs on the fast: the medina and the port cafes close through the day and the town wakes up after sunset. Ferries and offices keep short, unpredictable hours. Source ↗

Still on: Kashkazi stops the boats (1 Nov – 30 Apr), Cyclone season (15 Nov – 30 Apr)

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Ramadan (19 Feb – 20 Mar), Kashkazi stops the boats (1 Nov – 30 Apr), Cyclone season (15 Nov – 30 Apr)

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Ramadan (19 Feb – 20 Mar), Kashkazi stops the boats (1 Nov – 30 Apr), Cyclone season (15 Nov – 30 Apr)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Kashkazi stops the boats (1 Nov – 30 Apr), Cyclone season (15 Nov – 30 Apr)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in June.

Busy — National Day, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Humpbacks in the channel

  1 Jul – 31 Oct · usuallyWhale season

  Humpbacks come up the Mozambique Channel to calve and are regularly seen from the Grande Comore coast road in the southern winter. Trips are small operators and dive boats rather than a whale-watching industry.

• Holiday

  National Day

  6 JulNational holidayClosuresCrowded

  6 July marks independence from France in 1975 — the three islands that took it, and pointedly not Mayotte. Official ceremonies in Moroni and a full public holiday. Source ↗

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Humpbacks in the channel (1 Jul – 31 Oct (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Humpbacks in the channel (1 Jul – 31 Oct (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Humpbacks in the channel (1 Jul – 31 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  Kashkazi stops the boats

  1 Nov – 30 AprWind seasonClosuresRisk

  The north-westerly monsoon puts a heavy swell into Moroni's open roadstead, where boats are still loaded by launch. Inter-island crossings to Mohéli and Anjouan are cancelled for days at a stretch.

• Hazard

  Cyclone season

  15 Nov – 30 Apr

  The south-west Indian Ocean season runs from mid-November to the end of April and peaks around January. Systems usually track south of the archipelago, but a close pass takes out power and the airport for days. Source ↗

Shoulder season — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Kashkazi stops the boats (1 Nov – 30 Apr), Cyclone season (15 Nov – 30 Apr)