Among the best sites for scuba diving and snorkeling in Kenya are Wasini Island and Shimoni in the South Coast. Shimoni village is located 76 Km south of Likoma near the Kenya-Tanzania border, and is most well known for the Shimoni caves in which many slave-trade-era artifacts can be found. These artifacts include some well-preserved wooden crates previously used for transporting slaves to Arabia. Wasini Island is situated a few minutes from the village, and it is from Shimoni that the journey to Wasini starts.
For many years, the 6 sq km Wasini Island has remained unchanged, remaining a small traditional fishing centre. The Island is close to Tanzania and is popular for the coral gardens (beautiful coral reef landscape) and the ancient Swahili-architecture ruins that date back to the Arab settlements of the 18th and 19th centuries. Dhows are the primary means to get to this coral island which has no cars or roads. The Fuba people - a Bantu tribe- inhabit this Island, and number about 1500. The Fuba are generally very friendly people and speak both Swahili and Kifuba languages.
The Kisite-Mpunguti marine National Park lies just next to Wasini Island, about 75 miles south of Mombasa. It is reputedly Kenya’s most accessible marine park. Kisite has a great diversity of fishes and coral, and its weather conditions are perfect for diving all the year round. Visitors can also snorkel off the reef of a rocky islet and the beautiful sand bar that appears out of blue ocean during low tide.
The park and reserve are both a haven for marine life, snorkelers and divers alike with the protected areas boasting diverse plants and animals. The bird-life is particularly interesting and includes the rare palm-nut vulture and the more common fish eagle.
At the Shimoni compex, Green and hawksbill turtles, and seven species of dolphin have been found. Visitors to this area get to see the dolphins and the turtles daily. In October and November, Humpback whales can be seen during their yearly migration.
Several fish have been observed in the area, and most fall into the following families - Large Wrasse, Emperors, Puffer fish, Butterfly fish, Trigger fish, Snappers and Groupers. The specific species found include Scorpion fish, Parrot fish, Wrasses, Moray eels, Cardinal fish, angel fish, Damsel fish and rays.
There is a fringing reef near Kisite Island at the centre of the park, which is the main snorkeling site. The reef is accessible by dhow, and also from the beach during low tide. There are many diving-sites, many which are within the park and reserve. Lying behind Wasini island are the two uninhabited islands of Mpunguti ya Juu and Mpunguti ya Chini.
To get to Wasini Island you need to take a bus or hire a taxi from Likoni to Shimoni. From Shimoni is a dhow run by Mpunguti Restaurant that will take you to the island.