| Shimoni & Wasini Vacation Island | | | | October and March. Avoid diving in July and August |
| The village of Shimoni sits at the tip of a peninsula | | | | because of rough seas and poor visibility. |
| about 76km south of Likoni. Dhow trips to Wasini Island | | | | 5 Top Kenya Water Safari Sports and Activities |
| and Kisite Marine National Park have become a big | | | | 1. Snorkeling and Diving |
| industry here, and every morning in high season a | | | | Masks and snorkels are available for rent on the |
| convoy of coaches arrives carrying tourists from the | | | | beach for Kshs 100. You'll need a boat to get out to |
| resorts at Diani Beach. The trips are well run, but you | | | | the reef. Most trips to the park provide their own |
| can easily organise your own trip directly with the boat | | | | snorkeling gear. Certified divers can take dives with |
| men. | | | | local tour companies, or more expensively at the coral |
| It's worth waiting until the day trippers have gone home | | | | reef Lodge or Pemba channel fishing club. Dive |
| to explore Shimoni, as the dusty streets have their | | | | courses and longer scuba safaris are also possible in |
| own unique atmosphere outside tourist times. Villagers | | | | the Pemba channel. |
| have opened up the old slave caves as a tourist | | | | 2. Deep sea fishing |
| attraction with a custodian who'll take you around the | | | | The Pemba channel is famous for deep-sea fishing, |
| dark caverns to illustrate this little-discussed part of | | | | and Pemba channel fishing club holds over 50% of |
| east African history. | | | | Kenya's marlin- fishing records. Boats cost from USD |
| Actual evidence that slaves were kept here is a little | | | | 500 for nine hours (valid for up to four fishers). This |
| thin, but as the pile of empty votive rose water bottles | | | | company promotes tag and release which I strongly |
| indicates, even today the site definitely has significance | | | | encourage as an eco-friendly measure. |
| for more superstitious locals. | | | | 3. Diving Tours in Shimoni on Kenya coast |
| Wasini Island, too, becomes even more appealing in the | | | | Various companies offer organised dhow tours for |
| peace of the evening. There are no roads or running | | | | snorkeling, all leaving Shimoni by 9am. Transfers from |
| water and the only electricity comes from generators. | | | | North -and south- coast hotels are available. (US$10 |
| There are several worthwhile things to see, including | | | | TO 20), and longer trips with overnights stays can also |
| some ancient Swahili ruins and the coral gardens, a | | | | be arranged. Children pay half the adult price. Certified |
| bizarre landscape of exposed coral reefs with board | | | | divers can take one/two scuba dives for an extra |
| walk for viewing. Most people come here on organised | | | | US$30/50 with any of these companies. |
| dhow trips from Diani. | | | | 4. Swimming with Dolphins in Kenya Coast |
| Kisite Marine National Park | | | | The friends of Kenya Dolphins have set up the Dolphin |
| Just off the south coast of Wasini Island, this marine | | | | Dhow, a dolphin -spotting and snorkeling trip around |
| park is one of the best in Kenya, also incorporating the | | | | Wasini Island. The dhow leaves from Shimoni jetty at |
| Mpunguti Marine national Reserve. The park covers 28 | | | | 8.45am daily and costs US$75. The price includes |
| sq km of pristine coral reefs and offers excellent | | | | snorkeling equipment, drinks, a Swahili seafood lunch |
| diving and snorkeling. You have a reasonable chance | | | | and the marine park fees. |
| of seeing dolphins in the Shimoni channel, and the | | | | 5. Kisite Dhow Tours |
| humpback whales are sometimes spotted between | | | | The Kisite dhow tours runs a popular eco-tourist |
| august and October. | | | | snorkeling trips to the marine park, including a nature |
| There are various organised trips to the marine park | | | | walk on Wasini and a very good seafood lunch at |
| but these tend to be outside ventures and don't | | | | Charlie's claw's original Wasini Island restaurant. Trips |
| always contribute a great deal to the local community. | | | | cost US$ 55 from Shimoni jetty, or US$ 75 with |
| Its easy to organise your own boat trip with a local | | | | breakfast, drinks and visits to the coral gardens and |
| captain-the going rate is Kshs 1500 per person or | | | | slave caves. |
| 6,000 per boat including lunch and a walk in the coral | | | | 6. Pilli-Pipa |
| gardens on Wasini Island. | | | | This is another expat-owned company offering full day |
| Masks and snorkels can be hired for Kshs 200 (fins | | | | trips. The price is US$80 from Shimoni, including lunch, |
| are discouraged as they may damage the coral reef). | | | | park fees, snorkeling and drinks. Diving trips are |
| A good place to start looking for a boat-man is at the | | | | available at US$ 130/$145 for one/two dives. |
| office of KWS which is about 200m south of the main | | | | 7. Paradise Divers |
| pier, where you'll also have to come to pay the entry | | | | Based in Diani also offers similar trips for US$ 80. |
| fee. The best time to dive and snorkel is between | | | | |