Wasini Island snorkeling tour: dolphins, reefs and slave caves

Coral reefs, dolphins and the history beneath the waves

A nine-hour snorkeling tour from Wasini Island explores the Kisite Mpunguti marine park, where you snorkel among coral reefs and watch for dolphins, then visit the Shimoni slave caves to learn about the 19th-century East African slave trade. The tour includes a guide in English, Italian, French or German; all snorkeling gear; lunch with fish or chicken; boat transport; and pickup from your location.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore marine park and slave caves

• Visit Kisite Mpunguti marine park
• Snorkel and dive in marine park
• Visit Shimoni slave caves

The Experience

The day starts with a boat ride to the Kisite Mpunguti marine park, a protected sanctuary off the southern Kenyan coast where coral reefs sit in shallow, clear water. You spend several hours in the water with snorkeling equipment, moving between reef sections where the marine life changes — the guide points out what lives where and watches the group. Dolphins move through these waters, though sightings are not guaranteed. Between snorkel sessions, the boat crew serves soft drinks and fruit on deck.

Lunch comes midday: fish or chicken with vegetables, eaten on the boat or on shore depending on the day's conditions. After eating, the group heads to the Shimoni slave caves, a short distance away. These caves, carved into coral limestone, held enslaved people in the 19th century before they were shipped across the Indian Ocean by Arab traders. A guide walks you through the caves and explains their history — the conditions, the routes, the scale of the trade. The caves themselves are the primary artifact; there is no museum overlay or reconstruction.

The boat returns in late afternoon. The whole day runs nine hours from pickup to drop-off, with the marine park taking up the bulk of the time and the caves visit lasting roughly an hour. A live guide travels with the group throughout, speaking English, Italian, French or German depending on the booking.

What’s included

• Marine park entry and Shimoni caves fees.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel).
• lunch with your choice of fish or chicken and vegetables.
• soft drinks and fresh fruit on the boat.
• boat transport to and from the marine park.
• hotel or location pickup and return.
• live guide in English, Italian, French or German.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wasini sea safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide explaining the reefs and slave caves while you focus on snorkeling—the nine-hour shared boat day means you'll spend extended time on the water, so confirm you're comfortable with boat motion and several hours in the ocean.

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Top questions

What is the Kisite Mpunguti marine park like when you get there?

Kisite Mpunguti is a protected marine sanctuary with vibrant coral reefs in shallow, clear water where you snorkel among diverse marine life. The park spans both underwater and coastal environments, and the guide navigates you between reef sections so you see different species and habitats during the day.

Will I definitely see dolphins on this tour?

Dolphins move through the waters around Wasini Island and the marine park, but sightings are not guaranteed — they depend on where the animals are on the day you go. The guide knows the best spots and times to look, but the tour focuses on the snorkeling and the reefs regardless.

What are the Shimoni slave caves and how long do we spend there?

The Shimoni slave caves are limestone caverns carved into the coast near Wasini Island that held enslaved people in the 19th century before they were transported across the Indian Ocean. A guide walks you through the caves and explains their role in the East African slave trade; the visit lasts roughly an hour.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

All snorkeling equipment is included in the tour — you do not need to bring or rent gear separately. The boat carries masks, fins and snorkels for the group.

How long is the boat ride, and what happens if the water is rough?

The tour runs nine hours total from pickup to drop-off, with the boat ride to and from the marine park taking up part of that time. The guide and crew decide where to snorkel and whether to eat on the boat or shore based on the day's conditions.

What food options are there, and are there alternatives to fish and chicken?

Lunch includes fish or chicken with vegetables — you choose which protein when you book. Soft drinks and fresh fruit are served on the boat during the day. Lobster, octopus and seafood platters are not part of the meal.