The immigration officer at Moroni's Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport looked at my passport, then at me, then back at my passport. "Tourism? Here?"

The Comoros – three volcanic islands between Madagascar and Mozambique – might be the Indian Ocean's last frontier. No luxury resorts, minimal tourist infrastructure, and a fascinating blend of African, Arab, and French cultures that exists nowhere else.

The Forgotten Archipelago

Most travelers can't locate the Comoros on a map, which is exactly why they're special. These islands offer active volcanoes, pristine coral reefs, and authentic cultural experiences without a single tour bus in sight.

Grande Comore features Mount Karthala, one of the world's largest active volcanoes. The crater is 3 kilometers wide and occasionally erupts. Hiking to the rim takes two days and offers views across the entire archipelago.

Unique Cultural Fusion

Comoran culture blends Bantu African roots with Arab traditions and French colonial influences. Islamic architecture with African decorations, Arabic language mixed with local dialects, and French systems adapted to traditional governance.

Cultural highlights include traditional wedding ceremonies lasting several days, Taarab music performances, local markets selling ylang-ylang oil, and Islamic festivals with distinctly African flavors.

The Comoros aren't easy – flights are expensive, infrastructure is basic, French or Arabic needed for communication. But these challenges preserve authentic experiences increasingly rare in the Indian Ocean, offering the chance to be among the first to discover a destination.