Kenya Dive Sites

A warm tropical coastline, colourful corals and large schools of fish. Plus the chance to see whale sharks and dolphins. The Indian ocean off Kenya's coast has something to offer all levels of diver as well as snorkellers. Kenya is famous for it's wildlife safaris on land but the countries marine national parks are equally stunning.

We have divided dive site descriptions up into areas around the National Marine Parks. Click on one of the links below for more details.

• Mombasa Marine Park and Reserve is the most dived marine park as it encompasses the most heavily developed stretch of Kenyan coastline. There are dozens of dive sites here including the Dania Wreck.

• Watuma/Malindi Marine Park and Reserve was created in 1968, the first in eastern Africa, and is a UN Bioshere reserve. There are two marine parks in the reserve, Watumu Marine Park in the south and Malindi Marine Park to the north, and together they encompass 30 km of coastine with a fringing reef along the entire length. The area includes Mida Creek which is an important bredding group for reef fish and turtles.

• Diani Marine reserve covers an area from the Mwachemwa river to Chale Island and has a fringing reef just off shore. There are over 30 dive sites in this area and chances of seeing whales, dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks and turtles are good here.

• Kisite Marine Park and Mpunguti Marine Reserve is often said to be the most beautiful marine park in Kenya with very rich marine life. Over 250 fish species and 40 coral species have been identified, some previously unknown. Reef sharks are common as are other pelagics like barracuda. Manta rays can be seen and dolphins often swim in boat bow waves. Mpunguti ya Chini Island and Mpunguti ya Juu Island were previously turtle breeding areas and turtles are still seen here.

• Kiunga Marine National Reserve includes a chain of 50 islands and coral reefs in the Lamu archipelago which run parallel to the north Kenyan coastline about 1 mile offshore. Coral reefs are home to turtles and seagrass meadows are home to dudongs.

<< Back to Kenya Dive Sites main index

Kenya Diving Special Offers