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Eco Tourism Adventure in Kenya - Snorkeling in Wasini Island
Among the best sites for scuba diving and snorkeling in Kenya are Wasini Island and Shimoni in the South Coast. Shimoni village is located 76 Km south of Likoma near the Kenya-Tanzania border, and is most well known for the Shimoni caves in which many slave-trade-era artifacts can be found. These artifacts include some well-preserved wooden crates previously used for transporting slaves to Arabia. Wasini Island is situated a few minutes from the village, and it is from Shimoni that the journey to Wasini starts.Located close to Tanzania, the 6 sq km Wasini Island has for many years remained a traditional fishing centre. It is most popular for the ancient ruins, which date back to the 18th and 19th century Arab settlements, and the beatiful landscapes of exposed coral reefs, popularly known as coral gardens. The primary means of getting to the Island in by dhow. The island has no roads or cars. The Islands inhabitants are called the Fuba, a friendly bantu tribe that speak both Kifuba language and Swahili. The Fuba number about 1500.Next to Wasini Island is the Kisite-Mpunguti marine National Park, the most accessible marine park in Kenya. Kisite is situated about 75 miles south of Mombasa and it has a wide variety of fishes and coral. The weather conditions at Kisite are excellent for diving throughout the year. Snorkeling is also possible off the fringing reef of a large rocky islet and a wonderful sand bar which appears out of the blue ocean at 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.Green and Hawksbill turtles and seven species of dolphins have been found in the Shimoni complex, and both turtles and dolphins are seen by visitors virtually on a daily basis. Humpback whales are seen regularly on their yearly migration in October and November.Several fish have been observed in the area, and most fall into the following families - Large Wrasse, Emperors, Puffer fish, Butterfly fish, Trigger fish, Snappers and Groupers. The specific species found include Scorpion fish, Parrot fish, Wrasses, Moray eels, Cardinal fish, angel fish, Damsel 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 contributor: Andrew Muigai is the Managing Director of Africa Point, an online travel agency that offers Kenya safaris and hotel reservations for Mombasa hotels
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