Wasini Island & Kisite Dolphin Day Trip from Diani (1 Day)

Our Kisite dolphin tour is the most popular day out from Diani Beach. You sail by traditional dhow from Shimoni into Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, where bottlenose and humpback dolphins are often seen and the coral gardens are some of the best on the Kenyan coast. After snorkelling, the dhow takes you to Wasini Island for a long Swahili seafood lunch and a walk through the village and its coral gardens. Prices start from USD 140 per adult sharing.

Why Take a Kisite Dolphin Tour?

A beach holiday on the south coast is relaxing, but a day on the water gives you something different. The Kisite dolphin tour combines wildlife, snorkelling and culture in one easy day, and it is a lovely contrast to a safari. You do not need any experience, and the crew looks after everything from life jackets to lunch.

It is a relaxed, family-friendly day. Children enjoy the dhow, the dolphins and the island walk, while adults appreciate the long lunch and the chance to switch off. It is also a good choice for couples and groups of friends.

• Dolphins: good chances of seeing bottlenose and humpback dolphins.
• Snorkelling: colourful coral reefs in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park.
• Dhow cruise: a traditional sailing boat, the classic way to see the coast.
• Wasini Island: a Swahili seafood lunch and a walk through the village.
• Easy pick-up: hotel transfers from Diani and Galu.

Kisite Dolphin Tour at a Glance

• Duration: 1 day, from Diani hotel pick-up to late-afternoon return
• Drive: about 1.5 hours south from Diani to Shimoni
• Highlights: dhow cruise, dolphin watching, snorkelling and lunch on Wasini Island
• Equipment: snorkelling masks and fins provided, with life jackets
• Price: from USD 140 per adult sharing

Kisite Dolphin Tour Itinerary

Morning: Diani to Shimoni and the dhow cruise

You are picked up from your Diani hotel and driven about an hour and a half south to Shimoni, a small fishing village near the Tanzanian border. There you board the dhow and sail into Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park. The crew watches for dolphins along the way, and when they appear, the boat slows down so that you can watch them without disturbing them.

Midday: Snorkelling in Kisite Marine Park

At the reef, you slip into the water with a mask and fins and float over coral gardens full of tropical fish. The water is clear in good conditions, and the colours are bright. Non-swimmers can view the reef from the boat, and life jackets are provided for everyone.

Afternoon: Wasini Island lunch and return

The dhow then sails to Wasini Island for a Swahili seafood lunch with crab, fish and coconut rice. After lunch you can visit the village and its coral gardens before the return trip. You are back in Diani by late afternoon, in time for a swim or a sunset on the beach.

Dolphins on a Kisite Dolphin Tour

Bottlenose and humpback dolphins live in the waters around Kisite, and they are seen on most trips. They are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed, but the crews know where the dolphins usually feed and travel. Early in the day, when the sea is calmer, is often the best time to see them.

Responsible dolphin watching

Good operators never chase or crowd the dolphins. The boat keeps a respectful distance, moves slowly and lets the animals decide how close to come. This is better for the dolphins and usually leads to better encounters. Please follow the crew’s guidance, and avoid shouting or reaching out when dolphins are near the boat.

Snorkelling and the Reef on a Kisite Dolphin Tour

Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park protects some of the finest coral gardens on the Kenyan coast. Snorkelling here shows you hard and soft corals, and many colourful reef fish dart between them. Your equipment is provided, and the crew helps you get in and out of the water.

• Masks and fins are provided, and life jackets are available for everyone.
• Confident swimmers get the most from the snorkelling, but non-swimmers can still enjoy the reef from the boat.
• Wear reef-friendly sunscreen, or cover up with a rash vest, to protect both your skin and the coral.
• Never stand on or touch the coral, because it is fragile.

Wasini Island and the Swahili Lunch

Wasini is a small island with a Swahili village and a coral garden walk. Lunch is a highlight of the Kisite dolphin tour, with crab, fish and coconut rice served in a relaxed setting. A vegetarian option is available if you tell us when you book, and we can cater for most allergies with notice. After lunch you can wander through the village and see how the island community lives, then walk through the coral gardens before the sail home.

Best Time for a Kisite Dolphin Tour

The trip runs all year, but seas are usually calmest from October to March. From June to August, the south-east trade winds can make the water choppier, which may affect comfort and visibility.

• October to March: calmer seas and the best conditions for snorkelling.
• April to May: the long rains, with warm water and fewer visitors.
• June to August: breezier, with choppier water on some days.

How Much Does a Kisite Dolphin Tour Cost?

This Kisite dolphin tour starts from USD 140 per adult sharing. The final cost depends on the season and the size of your group. The price includes the return transfer from Diani hotels, the dhow cruise, the marine park entry fee, snorkelling equipment and a Swahili seafood lunch. For a broader view of costs, see how much an African safari costs.

What Is Included and Not Included

• Return transfer from Diani hotels
• Dhow cruise
• Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park entry fee
• Snorkelling equipment
• Swahili seafood lunch (vegetarian option available)
• Bottled drinking water

Not included: tips and gratuities, drinks and personal expenses, and optional activities not listed as included.

Who Is a Kisite Dolphin Tour For?

This tour is for beach holidaymakers who want a day on the water. It is popular with visitors to Diani from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Poland, and it suits couples, friends and families. It is one of the best family days on the coast, and children enjoy the dhow, the dolphins and the island walk. Because you do not need to be a strong swimmer, it works for most ages and abilities.

If you are travelling with children, our Kenya family safari packages offer ideas for combining the coast with a safari. If you want to see big game, our Tsavo safari guide explains how to reach the park from the coast.

Combining a Kisite Dolphin Tour with Other Trips

The tour is a full day, so most guests spread their excursions across a holiday. The Shimba Hills day trip is also a full-day excursion from Diani, and the two pair well on different days. You will find more ideas on our Kenya beach experience page, and our Kenya safari packages include longer routes if you want to add a safari to your holiday.

How the Day Unfolds on a Kisite Dolphin Tour

The pace of the day is unhurried, and that is part of its appeal. The drive to Shimoni is the longest stretch on land, so many guests use it to relax and watch the south coast countryside pass by. Once you board the dhow, the day is about the water: the sail out, the search for dolphins, time on the reef and a slow return with a full stomach.

Tides and weather shape the programme, so the crew decides the best order of activities on the day. If dolphins appear early, you may watch them before snorkelling, and if the reef is calm, you may spend longer in the water. This flexibility is why the Kisite dolphin tour feels personal, even when other boats are nearby.

Tips for a Better Kisite Dolphin Tour

• Apply sunscreen before you board and again after snorkelling, because the sun is strong on the water.
• Eat a light breakfast if you are prone to sea-sickness, and take tablets before you sail.
• Keep a dry change of clothes in a waterproof bag for the afternoon.
• Listen to the crew’s briefing about the reef, since it explains where it is safe to swim.

Photography on a Kisite Dolphin Tour

Dolphins move quickly, so a fast shutter speed and a zoom lens help to freeze the action. A waterproof phone case or a small action camera is ideal for snorkelling, and a dry bag protects your kit on the boat. The best light is in the morning, when the sea is calm and the sun is behind you. Remember that salt spray and sun can damage equipment, so bring a lens cloth and keep your camera covered between shots.

What to Bring on a Kisite Dolphin Tour

• Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes.
• A hat, sunglasses and reef-friendly sunscreen.
• A light cover-up or rash vest for the sun on the water.
• A waterproof bag or dry bag for your phone and camera.
• Sea-sickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness.
• A little cash for tips and personal purchases.

Health and Safety

Follow the crew’s instructions at all times, wear a life jacket if you are unsure in the water and drink plenty of water in the heat. Malaria is present on the Kenyan coast, so speak to your doctor about prevention, and take out travel insurance. For official information, see the Kenya Wildlife Service, which manages the marine park, and Magical Kenya.

Kisite Dolphin Tour FAQs

Will we definitely see dolphins on the Kisite dolphin tour?

Dolphins are seen on most trips, but they are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed. Our crews know where they usually feed and never chase or crowd them.

Do I need to be able to swim?

No. Life jackets are provided, and non-swimmers can enjoy the reef from the dhow. Snorkelling is easiest for confident swimmers.

When is the best time for the Kisite dolphin tour?

The trip runs all year, but seas are usually calmest from October to March. From June to August the south-east trade winds can make the water choppier.

Is this trip suitable for children?

Yes. It is one of the best family days on the coast. Children enjoy the dhow, the dolphins and the island walk.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. Tell us when booking and we will arrange a vegetarian Swahili lunch. We can also cater for most allergies with notice.

Book Your Kisite Dolphin Tour

Send us your dates, your Diani or Galu hotel and the number of guests by WhatsApp or email, and we will reply with a quote and a pick-up time. A deposit secures your place, and we confirm all details before you travel. If you would like to extend your adventure, we can plan a safari that fits around your beach days.