Marine Park of Moheli

Marine Park of Moheli is marine protected area on the Mozambique Canal and the first protected area in the Comoros. It was established on April 19, 2002. The most characteristic of the park is the presence of rare fishes and other various types of sharks and humpback whales. Moheli Island in Comoros was the most appropriate place for an initiative that brought together international and local communities in creating a joint marine protected area. Its idea involves the preservation of 404 square kilometres of the sea in which the main marine species such as Coelacanth, humpback whales, dolphins, etc., can live.

The beach in Mohéli

History

Nestled within the Parc Marin de Moheli, much of the southern expanse of this island remains protected, offering a haven of secluded beaches and pristine bays. Here, turtles find sanctuary to lay their eggs, while dolphins frolic in the sea and dugongs or humpback whales gracefully traverse the islets dotting its sparsely inhabited coastline. Stretching sands adorned with coconut palms, waters crystalline in the unique hues of the Indian Ocean, and untouched wilderness define its landscape, punctuated only by occasional fishing villages and rustic eco-lodges catering to intrepid travelers. Moheli boasts a storied past, intertwined with exotic all-female sultanates deeply rooted in the legendary realm of Zanzibar. Echoes of its ancient trading port, shielded by islets and Nioumachoa Bay, resonate through time, having welcomed a myriad of merchants and cultures—from Bantu, Swahili, and Malagasy to Indochinese, Shirazi, and European. Amidst this historical tapestry, turtles continue to nest undisturbed on Itsamia beach. While the capital, Fomboni, offers limited accommodations, the rest of the island remains pristine and untouched, with a handful of traditional lodges repurposed for overnight stays, managed by a local NGO dedicated to preserving its natural heritage.

References

Marine Park of Moheli on Facebook