At the South Coast of Kenya are found two of the best snorkeling and scuba diving sites in the country - Shimoni Village and Wasini Island. Shimoni is a village found 76 km south of Likoma, and close to the Kenya-Tanzania border. The village is most renowned for the Shimoni caves in which are found such artifacts as the well-preserved wooden crates used by slave masters to transport slaves to Arabia during the slave trade. Shimoni also marks the launching point to Wasini Island, situated a few minutes from Shimoni.

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.

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.

Wasini and the Kisite marine park are a snorkelers’ and divers’ haven, and host a great diversity of plant and animal life in the protected areas. There is an interesting and prolific bird-life there including the fish eagle and the rare palm-nut vulture.

The Shimoni complex hosts Green and Hawksbill turtles, together with seven species of dolphins that have been found there. The turtles and the dolphins can be seen almost daily. Also seen regularly in October and November are Humpback whales during their yearly migration.

Several fish families have been observed in the area. They include butterfly fish, trigger fish, Emperors, Snappers, Puffer fish, Large Wrasse, and Groupers. The common species found there are Parrot fish, Wrasses, angel fish, Moray eels, Cardinal fish, Scorpion fish, Damsel fish, and rays.

The main site for snorkeling is the fringing reef near Kisite Island at the centre of the park. This site is accessible by dhow, or, during low tide, from the beach. There are several sites for diving, many of which fall within the park and within the reserve. Mpunguti ya Chini and Mpunguti ya Juu are two uninhabited islands found behind Wasini Island.

You can get to Wasini Island from Mombasa by taking a bus or taxi from Likoni to Shimoni. Mpunguti Restaurant operate a dhow at Shimoni that will then take you to the Island.