Shimoni and Wasini Island are among the best grounds for snorkeling and scuba diving in the South Coast region of Kenya.

Situated 76 km south of Likoma, near the Kenya-Tanzanian border, the village of Shimoni is renowned for the famous Shimoni Caves where well-preserved wooden crates that were used to transport slaves to Arabia among other artifacts can be found.

Shimoni is also the launching point for Wasini Island which is located just a few minutes from the village.

Wasini Island is a small traditional fishing centre located close to Tanzania that has remained unchanged for ages. The island is popular for the Ancient Swahili ruins and the coral gardens; a landscape of exposed coral reefs. Wasini has an Arab settlement dating back to the 18th and 19th Century and it features ruins of ancient architecture. The 6 sq km island has no cars or roads and is generally reached by dhow. The coral island is occupied by the friendly fuba people(an indigenous group of the Niger Congo, Bantu speaking dialect) who speak Swahili and Kifuba. The fuba population is about 1500.

Next to Wasini Island is the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, the most accessible marine park in Kenya. Kisite is situated about 75 miles south of Mombasa and it has a wide variety of fishes and coral. The weather conditions at Kisite are excellent for diving throughout the year. Snorkeling is also possible off the fringing reef of a large rocky islet and a wonderful sand bar which appears out of the blue ocean at 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. Those who have been to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park have confessed that the spot is one of the best Kenya tours and safari destinations.

Green and Hawksbill turtles and seven species of dolphins have been found in the Shimoni complex, and both turtles and dolphins are seen by visitors virtually on a daily basis. Humpback whales are seen regularly on their yearly migration in October and November.

The fish that have been observed fall into the following families - Butterfly fish, Trigger fish, Large Wrasse, Puffer fish, Emperors, Snappers and Groupers. Common species include Parrot fish, Moray eels, Damsel fish, Cardinal fish, Wrasses, angel fish, scorpion fish and rays.

The main snorkeling site, accessible from either dhow or from the beach at low tide is a fringing reef near Kisite Island in the centre of the park. Many of the dive-sites fall within the park as well as the reserve. Behind Wasini Island there are two uninhabited islands Mpunguti Yaa Chini and Mpunguti ya Juu.

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.

Share This

 Email This Post To Friend
This entry was posted on Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 2:23 pm and is filed under general. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.