Funzi Island day trip from Diani Beach: Boat, river & sandbank

Paddle upriver through birdlife, then swim and eat lunch on an isolated sandbank

A full-day tour from Diani Beach to Funzi Island, a remote settlement accessible only by boat, combines a motorized canoe ride up the Ramisi River with swimming at Funzi sandbank and a guided walk through the village. The tour includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, seafood lunch and eight hours on the water and island. It departs after a 40-minute drive to Bodo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Funzi Island full day excursion

• Pickup from Diani Beach
• Drive to Bodo via Shirazi village
• Board motorized canoe on Ramisi river
• Enjoy birdlife and crocodile spotting
• Relax at Funzi sandbank and have lunch
• Walk around Funzi island village with guide
• Vehicle transfer back to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a 40-minute drive south to Bodo, where you board a motorized canoe with a local guide. The Ramisi River is the route: narrow, tree-lined, and alive with bird activity. Herons, kingfishers and other species move through the water and overhanging branches. Crocodiles sun themselves on the banks occasionally, though sightings are not guaranteed. The canoe moves slowly enough that you can watch and photograph without missing what passes.

At low tide, the tour stops at Funzi sandbank, a shallow expanse of sand where the water is warm and clear. A tent is pitched for shade, and lunch is served here: the menu centers on seafood (grilled fish, crabs, coconut rice) with beef and chicken options. Vegetarian dishes are prepared on request. You swim in the shallow water, rest under the shelter and eat without the pressure of a restaurant schedule. The sandbank is the kind of place where time moves differently.

After lunch, a guide leads you through Funzi village on foot, narrating the history and daily life of the community. The island has been isolated for centuries, accessible only by water, and the walk shows how that isolation has shaped the settlement. By late afternoon, a vehicle picks you up and returns you to your hotel, completing the eight-hour loop.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup from Diani Beach.
• motorized canoe ride up the Ramisi River with a local guide.
• swimming time at Funzi sandbank with a pitched tent for shade.
• seafood lunch including grilled fish, crabs and coconut rice with vegetarian options available.
• guided walk through Funzi village.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kaaribu Experiences

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a guide leading the group, so you follow the itinerary and pace set by the operator rather than choosing your own route. It suits anyone with a full day free in Diani Beach and the mobility to board a canoe, walk on sand and move through a village on foot. The eight-hour commitment means an early start and a late return, but it is the only way to reach an island that has no road access.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

How long does the drive from Diani Beach to the boat launch take?

The drive to Bodo is about 40 minutes. From there, the motorized canoe carries you upriver for the Ramisi River portion of the day.

What kind of wildlife might I see on the Ramisi River?

The river is known for exceptional birdlife: herons, kingfishers and other species are common. Crocodiles bask on the banks occasionally, though they are not guaranteed sightings.

Is swimming included, and what is the water like at Funzi sandbank?

Yes, swimming is included at Funzi sandbank during low tide. The water is shallow and warm, making it safe and comfortable for most swimmers.

What does the lunch menu include?

Lunch features seafood specialties such as grilled fish, crabs and coconut rice. Beef and chicken are also served, and vegetarian dishes are prepared on request if you indicate your preference at booking.