Travel guideWasini Island
Wasini Island: A Travel Guide
A car-free coral island off Kenya’s far south coast — what the day looks like, what to bring, and what the water is actually like.
Wasini is a low coral island off Kenya's far south coast, close to the Tanzanian border. It has no cars. Paths run between its two villages, across raised coral rag and beneath baobabs that have been there a great deal longer than anyone currently living on the island.
Getting there
Boats leave from Shimoni on the mainland. Most visitors come down from the Mombasa area for the day, and the crossing itself is short — the island is close in.
What the day involves
The channel
The water between Wasini and the mainland is where dolphins are most often seen on this coast. Boats work the channel looking for them.
They are wild animals. Some days they are there and close; some days they are not. Any operator that promises you a sighting is making a promise they cannot keep.
Kisite reefs
Further out lie the reefs of the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area. The snorkelling here is over living coral in shallow, sheltered, warm water.
This is the part that surprises people who expected to be out of their depth. You do not need to be a strong swimmer — buoyancy aids are available and a guide stays in the water with the group.
Lunch and the village
Lunch on the island is Swahili seafood, eaten in the village. Afterwards there is time for the coral garden boardwalk, which crosses an area of raised coral eroded into strange shapes and flooded on the biggest tides.
The Shimoni caves
Back on the mainland, the caves beneath Shimoni village are connected to the East African slave trade. Many visitors choose to see them. It is not a light stop, and it should not be treated as one.
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Reef-safe sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- A light cover-up for the boat — wind and sun together do more damage than you expect
- A waterproof bag for anything electronic
- Cash for park fees, drinks and the caves
- Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to it, taken before you board
Fees
Marine park entry is set by Kenya Wildlife Service. It changes, so ask for the current figure for your travel date rather than relying on a number published anywhere — including here.
When to go
The coast is warm all year. Sea conditions are generally calmest outside the long rains, and visibility on the reef varies with season, tide and recent weather. We check conditions before every departure and will tell you honestly if a day is not worth going out on.
Is it worth it?
If you want one day on the water on the Kenya Coast, this is the one most people should take. It combines open water, real reef, an island with a life of its own, and a piece of history that matters.
