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Eco Tourism Adventure in Kenya - Snorkeling in Shimoni Print E-mail
Written by Andrew Muigai   
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.
by AndrewMuigai


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.

Kenya's most accessible marine park, the Kisite-Mpunguti marine national park, is situated just next to Wasini Island, about 75 miles south of Mombasa. Kisite boasts of a wide variety of fishes and coral, and has excellent weather conditions for diving all through the year. Snorkeling can also be done from the reef of a large rocky islet and the beautiful sand bar that appears above the blue ocean during low tide.

The marine park and the reserve are a marine life haven, boasting greatly diverse plant and animal life in the protected areas. They are also a great place for snorkelers and divers alike. The area also has a particularly interesting bird-life that includes the common 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.

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.

There is a fringing reef near Kisite Island at the centre of the park, which is the main snorkeling site. The reef is accessible by dhow, and also from the beach during low tide. There are many diving-sites, many which are within the park and reserve. Lying behind Wasini island are the two uninhabited islands of Mpunguti ya Juu and Mpunguti ya Chini.

If you want to travel to Wasini Island, you can take a bus or taxi from Likoni to Shimoni. At Shimoni, Mpunguti Restaurant operate a dhow that can take you to the island.

About the Author:

Andrew Muigai is the Managing Director of Africa Point, an online travel agency that offers Kenya safaris and hotel reservations for hotels in Mombasa
 
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