Mohéli Marine Park, now officially part of the larger Mohéli National Park, is the first and most important protected area in the Union of the Comoros. Established in 2001, it is a world-renowned biodiversity hotspot located off the southern coast of Mohéli, the smallest and wildest of the three main islands. The park encompasses pristine marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems, including vibrant coral reefs, vital mangrove forests, and uninhabited islets. It is most famous for its rich marine megafauna and as one of the most significant nesting sites for green sea turtles in the Western Indian Ocean. In 2020, its ecological importance was further recognized when Mohéli Island was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Name and Address

• Name: Mohéli Marine Park (Part of Mohéli National Park).
• Address: Located off the southern coast of the island of Mohéli (Mwali), Union of the Comoros. The park’s main hub and visitor activities are centered around the village of Nioumachoua.

How to Get There

Accessing the park requires traveling to the remote island of Mohéli and then arranging local boat transport.

• Getting to Mohéli: The first step is to take a short domestic flight from the capital, Moroni (on Grande Comore), to Mohéli’s airport in Fomboni.
• To the Park (Recommended): From Fomboni, you will need to arrange ground transport (typically a 4×4) for the scenic drive to the southern coast, where villages like Nioumachoua serve as the primary gateways to the marine park. The journey can take over an hour on rough roads.
• Exploring the Park: The park itself is explored by sea. Local eco-lodges (like Laka Lodge) and community associations organize boat tours for snorkeling, diving, whale watching, and visiting the offshore islets.
• Visitor Tip: The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to November. For a truly unforgettable experience, plan your trip between July and October to coincide with the humpback whale migration season.

Landscape and Ecosystem

The “architecture” of Mohéli Marine Park is its stunning and diverse natural ecosystem, a mosaic of interconnected marine and coastal habitats.

• Coral Reefs: The park protects some of the healthiest and most vibrant coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. These reefs are teeming with a vast diversity of colorful fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and fusiliers.
• Volcanic Islets: A key feature of the park is the chain of eight small, uninhabited volcanic islets that lie just off the coast. These rocky outcrops serve as critical nesting sites for huge colonies of seabirds, including masked boobies and great frigatebirds.
• Mangrove Forests and Seagrass Beds: The coastline is fringed with important mangrove forests and extensive seagrass beds. These habitats are vital nurseries for fish and are the primary feeding grounds for the rare dugong.
• Terrestrial Component: Since its expansion in 2015, the national park now includes a significant portion of Mohéli’s land area, protecting the island’s last remaining native forests on the slopes of Mount Mlédjélé. These forests are home to endemic species like the Livingstone’s fruit bat.

What Makes It Famous

Mohéli Marine Park is famous for being a pristine, world-class sanctuary for marine megafauna and a pioneering example of community-led conservation in the region.

• Sea Turtle Nesting: The park’s beaches, particularly around the village of Itsamia, are one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the endangered Green Sea Turtle. Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs almost every night of the year, offering visitors a near-guaranteed chance to witness this incredible natural spectacle.
• Whale and Dolphin Watching: Between July and October, the park becomes a nursery for humpback whales, which migrate here to mate and give birth. The waters are also home to several species of dolphins, which can often be seen playing near the boats.
• Rich Marine Biodiversity: The park is a sanctuary for an incredible array of marine life. It is one of the few places where you might spot the rare dugong (sea cow) and the legendary coelacanth, a prehistoric “living fossil” fish once thought to be extinct.
• Community Co-Management: The park is renowned for its successful co-management model, where local communities are actively involved in conservation efforts, which earned the project the prestigious Equator Prize from the UN.

Differences from Other Wonders

Mohéli Marine Park offers a unique, immersive wildlife experience that sets it apart from other attractions in the Comoros.

• A Marine Sanctuary vs. Terrestrial Volcanoes: While Mount Karthala and Mount Ntringui offer terrestrial adventures focused on hiking volcanoes and exploring forests, Mohéli Marine Park is almost entirely focused on the ocean. The experience is about snorkeling, diving, and boat excursions to witness marine life.
• Guaranteed Wildlife Encounters vs. Legendary Sights: A visit to a site like Lac Niamawi or Dos du Dragon is about seeing a specific, static geological feature steeped in legend. Mohéli Marine Park, in contrast, is a dynamic ecosystem famous for its living wonders and the high probability of incredible wildlife encounters, especially with sea turtles.
• A Focus on Conservation vs. General Scenery: While all of Comoros is beautiful, a trip to Mohéli Marine Park is fundamentally an ecotourism experience. The visit is directly tied to the active conservation of endangered species and provides a deeper understanding of the fragility and importance of the marine environment.