Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park: dolphins and snorkelling from Wasini
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, at the far south of the Kenyan coast near the Tanzanian border, protects small coral islets, coral gardens and a neighbouring marine reserve. It is reached by boat from Shimoni, often on a day trip combined with Wasini Island: dolphin watching in the morning, snorkelling on the reef, then a seafood lunch. The area is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Prices and conditions quoted: October 2026.
Highlights
Snorkelling on the reef
Cauliflower corals and reef fish in shallow water, ideal with a mask and snorkel. Operators usually supply the equipment; if you are not comfortable in open water, keep a flotation vest on.
The dolphin watch post
The park's centre displays the rules to follow around dolphins (do not chase them, do not swim into the middle of a group). You may see Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and humpback dolphins, but their presence is never guaranteed: the outing is wildlife watching.
The islets of Kisite and Mpunguti
Small uninhabited coral islets where boats stop so visitors can swim and watch seabirds.
Lunch on Wasini
Most excursions end with a fish and crab meal in the village of Wasini, often followed by a walk along the coral gardens boardwalk.
Practical info
Tips
- The park entry fee is a KWS rate, usually paid by the operator within the excursion price. For an adult foreign non-resident visitor, most sources give USD 25 (child: USD 15), but a 2026 guide mentions USD 35: ask the operator whether the fee is included, not just for the total. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a UV shirt and a windbreaker for the crossing. Dolphins are mostly seen early in the morning, which explains departures before 8 a.m.
How to get there
From Diani, organised excursions pick guests up at the hotel (departure around 7:30-8 a.m., return around 5-5:30 p.m.) and take them to Shimoni, about an hour by road; independently, you need a car or transfer to Shimoni and then a local boat with a KWS ticket at the Shimoni post.
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