Mohéli National Park

Mohéli National Park protects a mix of terrestrial and marine habitats around Mohéli Island in the Comoros, conserving coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and the island’s coastal forests.

The park is valued for marine wildlife viewing including sea turtles, reef fishes and dolphins, and for shoreline and mangrove landscapes that support birds and coastal biodiversity. Marine-based excursions and guided nature visits are the primary visitor activities, focused on wildlife observation and snorkeling in permitted zones.

Initial conservation efforts on and around Mohéli began in the early 2000s with the creation of one of the Comoros’ first marine protected areas; protection has since been expanded and formalized to include terrestrial reserves linked to local conservation initiatives.

The national park surrounds parts of Mohéli (Mwali) island in the Comoros archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, south of Grande Comore and Anjouan.

• Protected-area history: Established as a protected area in the early 2000s, it was one of the first marine conservation efforts in the Comoros and later expanded to include terrestrial reserves.
• Marine biodiversity: Important habitat for sea turtles, reef fishes, dolphins and seasonal visits by humpback whales, making it a key site for marine biodiversity in the Comoros.

What to See #

• Marine zone: Coastal and marine areas that protect coral reefs, seagrass beds and important nesting and feeding grounds for sea turtles and other marine fauna.
• Terrestrial zone: Terrestrial sections on Mohéli island that include lowland forest, mangroves and shoreline habitats important for endemic and migratory birds.