A day under sail on Kenya's far south coast: dolphins in the channel, coral gardens in a marine park, and a seafood feast on an island without cars.
Dhows leave the little port of Shimoni, near the Tanzanian border, and sail out through the Wasini channel towards the open reef.
Bottlenose and humpback dolphins are usually seen in the mornings, often riding the bow wave.
At Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, one of Kenya's best-protected reefs, there is about an hour of snorkelling over coral gardens full of fish and the odd turtle.
The day ends with a Swahili seafood lunch on Wasini Island: crab, grilled fish, coconut rice. It is a long day, but an unforgettable one.
An early start from Mombasa or Diani.
Via the Likoni ferry and Diani to Shimoni.
Pay the marine park fee at the jetty.
Watch for pods playing round the boat.
An hour over the coral gardens.
A long lunch on the island, then back to Shimoni.
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Most trips include transfers from Diani; from Mombasa allow an extra hour each way.
Check whether the marine park fee and lunch are included in the price.
Lunch is seafood-heavy; tell the operator in advance if you need something else.
Mombasa practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
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