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Kisite Marine Park Snorkelling Trip

Kisite National Marine Park

Kisite Snorkelling Trip Overview

The Kisite snorkelling trip to Kisite-Mpunguti National Marine Park is a full-day trip out from Diani. We will travel to a couple of sites around the coral reef on the far side of Wasini Island. You will get to snorkel with thousands of gorgeous colourful fish. Plus have opportunities to spot turtles, dolphins and more.

Included in the Kisite snorkelling trip package is: A full set of snorkelling equipment. A delicious lunch following the snorkelling. Soft drinks and snacks on the boat. You will have professional in-water guides for extra safety and aid in spotting underwater marine life.

We depart from Diani at around 7:30 am headed down to the port of Shimoni. Shimoni is infamous in history as the loading point for slaves bound for the markets of Zanzibar. From Shimoni, the voyage to the marine part is on a traditional Swahili-style dhow. It involves a slow cruise around Wasini Island to the snorkel sites. During which you can admire the scenery and catch some rays.

After snorkelling we take a leisurely cruise around Wasini Island and have lunch. Then it back to Shimoni before the transfer back to your hotel in Diani.

Commonly encountered bigger animals at Kisite include dolphins and green turtles, in addition to the common coral reef fish inhabiting the area.

Please Note – This Is NOT an Exclusive Snorkel Only Tour. There may be scuba divers onboard too. Snorkelling is in the open ocean on coral reefs rising from various depths and reaching within 2 to 8M from the surface.

We reserve the right to alter or cancel specific dives/tours/courses without notice due to weather, sea conditions, minimum numbers or other factors. We always recommend that you travel with flexibility in your itinerary and with travel insurance – please contact your local travel agent for details on the best travel insurance for your travel needs. Ocean Tribe recommends Divers Alert Network insurance for your water sports insurance needs and they also do a favourable travel package.

Kinondo Dive Site- Diani

KINONDO DIVE SITE BRIEFING

Kinondo dive site dive briefing located right at the south end of the Diani dive sites level with Kinondo on land. Large pinnacle dive site with coral plateau at 12m and an eastern drop off down to 40m. Shallow mooring buoys available. Great to dive when mild to no current. View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

Overview

Located south of Galu and away from the busiest sections of Diani Beach, Kinondo Reef offers a peaceful and scenic underwater experience. The reef begins at around 8 metres and slopes gently to 18 metres, where sandy patches and coral bommies create a mix of habitats. This site is known for its relaxed conditions and rich variety of marine life.

Marine Life and Coral Features

Kinondo’s coral gardens are a blend of hard and soft species. You’ll find staghorn coralbrain coral, and colourful sea fans scattered across the reef. Small schools of snappergoatfish, and fusiliers patrol the area, while parrotfish and angelfish graze on the reef.

Macro lovers will enjoy searching for nudibranchsmantis shrimp, and well-camouflaged scorpionfish. Turtles often rest on sandy ledges, and blue-spotted stingrays can be found partially buried in the sand.

Conditions and Highlights

With gentle currents and good visibility for most of the year, Kinondo is excellent for training dives, fun dives, and underwater photography. Its slightly more remote location means fewer divers, giving you a calmer, more intimate experience with the reef. The combination of healthy coral, varied marine life, and easy diving makes it a favourite for repeat visits.

  • For- Advanced
  • Maximum Depth- 40m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✗
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 30 minutes
  • Marine Life- Red Tooth Trigger Fish,Baracuda, Groupers, Snapper, Turtles,Moray Eels, Sting Rays, Napolean Wrasse, Crocodile fish, Octopus.

Kinondo Dive Site Diani

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Dzinani Dive Site- Diani

DZIANANI DIVE SITE BRIEFING

Dzinani dive site dive briefing located on the southern end of the Diani dive sites level with Kinondo on land. Three coral islands. Mooring buoy available. View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

  • For- Beginners
  • Maximum Depth- 20m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✗
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 25 minutes
  • Marine Life- Colourful Reef, Red Snapper, Blue spotted Rays, Green Turtles, Frog Fish, Ribbon Eels, Pegasus(Dragon Fish), Leaf fish
Dzinani

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Mwanyaza Dive Site- Diani

MWANYAZA DIVE SITE BRIEFING

Mwanyaza dive site dive briefing located south of the Baobab Mango end of the Diani dive sites level with Pinewood hotel on land. Long fringing reef dive site with corals running from 9-18m. Mooring buoy available. Normally a very good one way drift dive to take in the best of the dive site. View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

Overview

Mwanyaza is a vibrant inshore reef known for its healthy coral cover and abundant fish life. The reef begins at around 8 metres and slopes gently to 20 metres. It offers a colourful, easy-going dive suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike.

Marine Life and Coral Features

The reef is a mix of hard corals, such as staghorn and brain coral, alongside patches of soft coral. These create hiding places for a variety of reef fish. Schools of fusiliers and snapper sweep over the reef, while parrotfishangelfish, and butterflyfish feed among the corals.

Look closer and you may find nudibranchsmantis shrimp, and scorpionfish blending into the background. Turtles are regular visitors, often seen resting on sandy patches between coral heads.

Conditions and Highlights

Mwanyaza usually has gentle currents, making it excellent for training dives and relaxed fun dives. The shallow profile allows for longer bottom times and plenty of time to explore. Its bright corals, lively fish schools, and easy conditions make it a dependable choice year-round.

  • For- Beginners
  • Maximum Depth- 20m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✔
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 10 minutes
  • Marine Life- Long Reef, Frog fish, Ghost pipe fish, Lobsters, Turtles, Octopus, Blue Spotted Rays, yellow striped snapper
Mwanyaza dive site Diani

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Galu Dive Site- Diani

GALU DIVE SITE BRIEFING

Galu dive site dive briefing located south of the Baobab Mango end of the Diani dive sites level with Blue Marlin and Salty Squid on land. Pinnacle dive site with coral plateau at 10m.

Overview

Located just south of Diani Beach, Galu Reef is a colourful and relaxed dive site. The reef starts at around 6 metres and slopes gently to 18 metres, where sand patches meet scattered coral bommies. Conditions here are calm, making it ideal for all experience levels.

Marine Life and Reef Structure

The reef features a mix of hard and soft corals, including staghorn, brain, and leather corals. These form a vibrant habitat for a variety of species. Schools of yellow snapper, fusiliers, and sergeant majors cruise above the reef. Meanwhile, parrotfish and butterflyfish weave in and out of coral heads.

Look closely and you may spot scorpionfish, leaf fish, or nudibranchs camouflaged against the rocks. Turtles are frequent visitors, often resting under ledges or gliding past divers. On the sandy bottom, you can sometimes see blue-spotted stingrays or a reef octopus changing colours.

Conditions and Highlights

With gentle currents and good visibility for most of the year, Galu is popular for Open Water courses, photography dives, and relaxed reef exploration. The mix of marine life, colourful coral, and easy access makes it one of Diani’s most enjoyable shallow reef dives.

Deep and shallow mooring buoys available. Normally a very good dive site for turtles. View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

  • For- Beginners
  • Maximum Depth- 25m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✗
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 10 minutes
  • Marine Life- Turtles, Ghost pipefish, Crocodile fish, Moray Eels, Napoleon Wrasse, Guitar Ray, Whale sharks, Blue Spotted Rays, Ribbon Eels, Zebra dwarf lionfish, leaf fish, Spanish Dancer, Porcupine Fish
Galu dive site diani

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Tiwi Wall Dive Site- Diani

TIWI WALL DIVE SITE BRIEFING

Tiwi Wall dive site dive briefing located south of the Baobab Mango end of the Diani dive sites at the mouth of the Kongo River. Wall dive site with coral plateau at 6m. Mooring buoys available. Best dives at drier times of the year so that the flooding river Kongo does not cloud visibility. View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

Overview

Located just north of Diani Beach, Tiwi Reef is a shallow and sheltered site perfect for relaxed diving. The reef starts at around 5 metres and slopes gently to 16 metres, meeting sandy areas dotted with coral bommies. Its calm conditions and easy access make it popular with beginners, snorkellers, and photographers.

Marine Life and Coral Features

Tiwi’s coral gardens are a mix of hard corals, such as staghorn and brain coral, alongside patches of soft coral. The reef attracts schools of fusilierssergeant majors, and yellow snapperParrotfishbutterflyfish, and angelfish can be seen grazing and darting between coral heads.

Macro hunters will find nudibranchsflatworms, and pipefish tucked into sheltered spots. Occasionally, hawksbill turtles pass through, and blue-spotted stingrays rest on the sandy bottom.

Conditions and Highlights

With minimal current and good visibility for most of the year, Tiwi is ideal for training divescheck dives, and easy reef exploration. Its bright coral gardens and rich fish life make it a favourite choice for relaxed, long dives close to shore.

  • For- Beginners
  • Maximum Depth- 25m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✗
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 45 minutes
  • Marine Life- Colourful soft & hard corals, Overhangs, tunnel, sweet lips,Trigger fish, cuttle fish, Barracuda, nudibranch.
Tiwi Wall dive site map

Mwanamoji Dive Site- Diani

MWANAMOJI DIVE SITE BRIEFING

Mwanamoji dive site dive briefing located north of the Baobab Mlango of the Diani dive sites level with Diani Reef and Southern Palms on land. Long fringing reef site with coral plateau at 10m. Shallow mooring buoys available. Normally a very good dive site for turtles. View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

Mwanamochi is a scenic reef lying just south of central Diani Beach. The reef begins at around 10 metres and drops gradually to 22 metres over a sandy base. Its combination of coral gardens, bommies, and open sand patches attracts a wide range of marine life.

Marine Life and Coral Features

The reef hosts healthy stands of staghorn coralbrain coral, and colourful soft coral. These provide shelter for parrotfishbutterflyfish, and angelfish. Schools of yellow snapper and goatfish move between the bommies, while moray eels hide in rocky crevices.

Macro enthusiasts can find nudibranchsleaf scorpionfish, and pipefish with a careful search. On the sandy outskirts, blue-spotted stingrays rest partially buried, and reef octopus can sometimes be seen changing colour to blend in.

Conditions and Highlights

Mwanamochi usually offers calm currents and good visibility, especially in the morning. This makes it a great choice for training divesphotography, and relaxed exploration. The variety of habitats ensures every dive offers new encounters, making it a favourite with both visiting and local divers.

  • For- Beginners
  • Maximum Depth- 20m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✔
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 25 minutes
  • Marine Life- Yellow stripe snappers, helmet flying Gurnard, Octopus, Lobsters, Ribbon Eel, Blue spotted ray, Whale sharks, manta rays, turtles
Mwanamoji dive site diani

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Diani Dive Sites- Where Will I Dive in Diani?

Diani Dive Sites

WHERE WILL I DIVE IN DIANI?

Divers often ask which of the Diani dive sites you will visit on your dive safaris. Ocean Tribe run daily diving trips to both the local Diani reef and wreck dives sites. As well as the Kisite National Marine Park. All of these sites rank amongst Kenya’s best dive sites. They have remarkably unspoilt coral and a wide range of marine life.

Diani’s dive sites offer opportunities for awesome underwater encounters. Including the giant whale shark and manta rays (from October to March). There a vast array of macro marine life and a very large turtle community. There is also a shipwreck which was purpose sunk as an artificial reef.

We select daily dive sites based on conditions and the experience levels of the divers. But the Diani dive sites can cater for a large range of diver from beginner, to intermediate and advanced levels.

All of the dive sites are within a half an hour boat ride and visited on two tank dive trips. We dive the Kisite National Marine park on a full day out on a dhow. This is the exception.

MV Alpha Funguo wreck dive site
Dzinani Dive Site
Galu Dive Site
Igloo dive site
kinondo dive site
Kisima Mungu dive site, Diani Kenya
Mwanamoji dive site, Diani Kenya
Mwanyaza dive site, Diani Kenya
Tiwi Wall dive site map
Marine life in Diani

Igloo Dive Site- Diani

IGLOO DIVE SITE BRIEFING

Igloo dive site dive briefing located just of the Baobab Mango end of the Diani dive sites level with Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel on land and bordered by Robinson sand island. Sloping dive site with coral plateau at 10m. Deep mooring buoys available. Characterised by the wreck of an underwater observatory sitting on the sand at 20m. View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

Igloo Reef. Located a short boat ride from central Diani, this reef is a fantastic choice for divers looking for structure, depth, and marine variety. The top of the reef starts at 12 metres and drops to a sandy base around 22 metres.

Marine Life and Coral Formations

The igloo-shaped bommies are covered in hard corals and sponges, creating shelter for countless reef species. Schools of yellow snapper swirl around the formations. Trevally and fusiliers often hunt in the blue, while moray eels peer from crevices.

Macro enthusiasts can find leaf scorpionfishnudibranchs, and pipefish tucked into sheltered spots. Turtles pass by regularly, and divers occasionally see reef sharks cruising along the sandy edge. The shape of the coral domes makes for excellent swim-throughs and dramatic photography angles.

Conditions and Highlights

Currents at Igloo can be moderate, so it’s best suited for divers with some experience. The site’s depth, fish activity, and unique coral architecture make it one of Diani’s most memorable reef dives. Clear visibility is common, especially in the morning, adding to its appeal for underwater photographers.

  • For- Beginners
  • Maximum Depth- 25m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✗
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 10 minutes
  • Marine Life- Ghost pipe fish, leaf fish, Mantis shrimps, Ribbon Eels, Spotted snake Eels, Squid, Cuttle fish, cleaner shrimps, Peppered Moray Eel, spotted puffer fish

Igloo dive site diani kenya

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Wreck Dive Site Diani- MV Alpha Funguo

WRECK DIVE SITE DIANI – MV ALPHA FUNGUO BRIEFING

The MV Alpha Funguo wreck offers one of the most exciting dive experiences along the Kenyan coast. Resting at depths of 22 to 30 meters, this sunken vessel has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, attracting a variety of marine life and providing an unforgettable underwater adventure.

What to Expect When Diving the MV Alpha Funguo Wreck

🌊 Depth & Structure: The wreck sits upright slightly on its side on the seabed, with its deck, cargo holds, and superstructure still intact. Wreck divers can safely explore different sections, making it a perfect site for wreck penetration dives with proper training.

🐠 Marine Life Encounters: Schools of barracuda, snapper, and trevally swirl around the wreck, while moray eels, lionfish, and scorpionfish hide within its crevices. Divers often spot whitetip reef sharks, rays, and octopuses, adding to the thrill of the dive.

⚓ Ideal for Advanced Divers: Due to its depth and occasional currents, this site is best suited for advanced and deep divers. The clear waters make it an excellent spot for underwater photography, capturing the wreck’s eerie beauty and vibrant marine life.

Diving the MV Alpha Funguo wreck is a must-do experience for wreck enthusiasts and adventure-seekers visiting Diani Beach, Kenya. Explore history, encounter incredible marine life, and immerse yourself in the mystery of this sunken vessel. Book your dive today! View Dive Site coordinates on MyDiveSSI

  • For- Beginners
  • Maximum Depth- 29m
  • Type of Water- Salt (Ocean)
  • Mooring Buoy-  ✔
  • Drift Dive-   ✗
  • Time to Dive Site From Ocean Tribe- 10 minutes
  • Marine Life- Great macro life, blue stripe snappers, nudibranch, frogfish Grouper, Barracuda, Batfish, Jackfish, Garden Eels, beared Scorpion fish, King Fish, Sting Ray

MV Alpha Funguo wreck dive site Diani Kenya

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