Snorkeling in Wasini with Dolphins and Slave Caves

Dolphins, a sandbank and 200 years of history in a single day

A full-day snorkeling trip from Diani to Wasini Island in Kisite Marine Park, where you board a traditional Swahili dhow to spot dolphins, snorkel among corals and fish, relax on a sandbank at low tide, eat lunch on the beach, and tour the Slave Caves where captives were held before shipment to Zanzibar. Hotel pickup, guide, snorkel gear, refreshments and park entry are included. The day runs eight hours and departs around 7:30am.

The experience

The morning starts with pickup from your hotel around 7:30am and a one-hour drive south through rural villages, sugar cane plantations and palm groves to Shimoni, a small fishing village on the coast. There you meet your guide and board a traditional Swahili dhow, a wooden sailing boat, for the cruise into Kisite Marine Park. As the boat moves through open water, you have roughly a 90% chance of spotting dolphins: spinner, humpback and bottle-nosed dolphins that travel in pods of two to twenty-five individuals, breaking above the waves. Soft drinks, water, beer and fruit are served on board while you watch.

Once the dolphins are spotted, you enter the water with snorkel gear to explore the marine life below: corals, exotic fish and sea plants in the protected park. If the tide is low, a sandbank surfaces where you can climb out, dry off and sunbathe before returning to the boat. After snorkeling, the dhow sails back to the mainland and you're served lunch at a beachfront restaurant: a starter of cream of tomato soup or garden salad, a main course of seafood or grilled chicken with rice and potatoes, and fresh fruit for dessert.

After lunch and a short rest, your guide takes you to the Slave Caves: a fifteen to twenty minute tour of the caves where enslaved people were held during the old slave trade before shipment to the Zanzibar slave market. Departure from Shimoni is around 3:30pm, and you're dropped back at your hotel by late afternoon. The guide speaks English, Italian, French or German depending on your preference.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• snorkel equipment.
• park entry fees.
• a guide in English, Italian, French or German.
• soft drinks, water, beer and fruit on the boat.
• a full lunch with soup or salad, seafood or grilled chicken, and dessert.
• and the guided tour of the Slave Caves.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 26 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Coral Spirit

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided boat that stops at both the reef for snorkeling and the sandbank at low tide, with a small group so you're not crowded in the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many dolphins might I see on the snorkeling trip to Wasini?

The reef in Kisite Marine Park is home to over 200 dolphins (spinner, humpback and bottle-nosed), and you have roughly a 90% chance of spotting them during the cruise, usually in pods of two to twenty-five individuals.

What's included in the snorkeling gear and what do I need to bring myself?

Snorkel equipment is provided. You'll need to bring your own swimming costume, water-friendly shoes, towel, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Is there time to relax on the beach during this trip?

Yes, if the tide is low, a sandbank surfaces where you can climb out and sunbathe, and you also get a short rest at the beachfront restaurant after lunch before visiting the Slave Caves.

What does the Slave Caves tour involve?

The Slave Caves are a fifteen to twenty minute guided tour of the caves where enslaved people were held during the old slave trade before being shipped to the Zanzibar slave market.

What meals and drinks are provided during the day?

Soft drinks, water, beer and fruit are served on board the dhow. Lunch at the beachfront restaurant includes a starter, a main course of seafood or grilled chicken with rice and potatoes, and fresh fruit for dessert.