Wasini Island Snorkeling from Diani Beach: 6-12 person boat

Boat leaves Diani at dawn for Kenya's best snorkeling waters

You're picked up from your South Coast hotel and driven to Shimoni, where you board a small boat for snorkeling in Kisite Marine National Park. The day includes breakfast on board, two hours in the water with full equipment, lunch with beer or wine on Wasini Island, free entry to the Coral Garden and Slave Cave museum, and underwater photos. Hotel return is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wasini Island tour with snorkeling and lunch

• Pickup from Diani Beach
• Drive past large sugar plantations
• Snorkeling and dolphin spotting
• Visit Slave Caves
• Lunch on Wasini Island
• Visit Coral Garden

The experience

The drive south from Diani Beach takes you past one of Kenya's largest sugar plantations before you reach Shimoni, where the boat is waiting. You're on the water by mid-morning with a group no bigger than twelve: small enough that the boat doesn't feel crowded, large enough that you're not paying solo rates. The snorkeling site sits in Kisite Marine National Park, and the water here is clearer than anywhere else on the South Coast. Dolphins show up often. Whale sharks less often, but often enough that your guide keeps scanning the horizon.

Breakfast happens on board (Swahili tea, coffee, fruit), and then you're in the water with flippers and a mask (prescription lenses available if you need them). The reef drops fast and the fish are thick. After two hours in the water you motor over to Wasini Island for lunch: grilled seafood, or chicken and vegetables if you prefer, with two beers or two glasses of wine included. The Coral Garden is a short walk from the restaurant, and the Slave Cave museum (which normally costs four euros per person) is free as part of the package. Most operators charge separately for both.

The boat carries a waterproof camera and you get the footage at no extra cost. Soft drinks and water stay available all day. Hotel pickup from anywhere on the South Coast is included, which means you don't arrange transport or negotiate with a taxi driver. The driver arrives at your accommodation and brings you back when the boat returns in the late afternoon. The whole day runs about eight hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and return from South Coast accommodation, Swahili breakfast with tea, coffee and fruit on board, two hours of snorkeling with full equipment (flippers, mask, prescription lenses available), lunch with seafood or chicken and vegetables plus two beers or two glasses of wine, free entry to the Coral Garden and Slave Cave museum on Wasini Island, soft drinks and water throughout the day, and underwater camera footage at no extra charge. Music plays on board and toilets are available.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Monday and FridayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Diani Dhow Safari

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main snorkeling and island stops without arranging your own boat, transport or park fees: the fixed price and hotel pickup mean you show up ready to go, and the small group size keeps the boat from feeling like a floating bus.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 people go on the boat?

Groups are limited to 6–12 guests per boat.

What's included in the lunch?

Seafood, or chicken and vegetables, plus two beers or two glasses of wine. Soft drinks and water are available throughout the day.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear?

No. Flippers, masks and all equipment are provided. Prescription diving masks are available on request.

Is hotel pickup really included?

Yes. Transport from any South Coast accommodation to Shimoni and back is included in the price.

What if I don't want to snorkel?

You can stay on the boat or explore Wasini Island while others are in the water. The Coral Garden and Slave Cave are accessible to all guests.

How long is the full day?

Roughly eight hours from pickup to return, including drive time, breakfast, snorkeling, lunch and island visits.

Are there toilets on the boat?

Yes, toilets are on board.

What's the chance of seeing dolphins or whale sharks?

Dolphins are spotted regularly. Whale sharks are less common but do appear. There's no guarantee either way.