Rec and Sports

Deep Sea Diving in Kenya -An Exciting Experience at Voyager Beach Resort

The Kenyan Coast has three stunning Marine Parks with clear waters that are ideal of diving. Among these are Kisite Mpunguti Marine Reserve, the most excellent within East Africa. This locality features huge Manta Rays that are frequently encountered by divers as they undertake dive voyages. Dive locations dot the entire Kenyan Coastline from the southern Tiwi end to Shimoni. Majority of hotels have apparatus for lease and provide reef voyages in glass-bottomed vessels. Diving is normally excellent throughout the year. However, dry seasons, from June-October and January-March, offer the best visibility. The period from July to August offers the worst visibility because of silting. Only trained divers can dive, and hence documented proof in form of certificates is usually required. Would-be divers may as well be subjected to some diving test.

Every year from February to March, divers are almost assured of seeing Whale Sharks when undertaking outer-reef dives on the Kenyan coastline. Nyuli Reef, an excellent site having strong wave currents, is among the most excellent diving locations. Stunning corals and dipping drop offs feature outstanding sea life including Barracuda, Snapper, huge Napoleon Wrasse, and the uncommon Zebra Sharks.

Kisite Point offers a much easier diving experience. Here, numerous huge tame shoals are found at depths of approximately twelve meters. Divers as well usually encounter Bottlenose Dolphins and Hawksbill Turtles. To the north of Kisite, the MV Unfunguo, a trawler turned into a flourishing manmade reef, offers spectacular Wreck Diving. Since splitting several years back, the wreck’s inside hull has turned into a huge refuge for sea life, thus providing a really spectacular diving venue.

Numerous dive operators who are either attached to local resorts or are private can be found in this region. Boats, equipment, dive guides, and refills are offered. International NAUI, SSI, and PADI quality and safety standards are adhered to. Complete courses having international certification and competent instructors are offered.

Several operators provide expert Nitrox Diving and Night Dives. Guests can best choose a day voyage on a dive cataraman, dhow, or boat with a local company. A daytime dhow voyage to Wasini Island, within Kisite Marine Reserve, can be organized from Shimoni or Diani. This typically includes diving as well as a seafood lunch on Wasini. Dhows are usually accompanied by dolphins through Kisite Park.

In 2001, a 470 ton fishing trawler was sunk by Diving the Crab, Diani Beach Kenya to create the first artificial reef. This sunken vessel provides a new habitat to marine life. Diving the crab is a PADI 5 star, SSI Platinum and BSAC Resorts Center offering most courses in German, Italian, French, English Swedish and Swahili. There are 29 dive sites all with in a 40 minute boat ride and on the way, you may spot dolphins on the way and even the gentle giant of the ocean the Whale Shark. Kenya’s underwater marine life is great for underwater photographers and marine enthusiasts.

In search of PADI 5-star diving qualification, The Voyager Hotel provides a Buccaneer facility within Mombasa where experienced diving and PADI classes are conducted. Ship wrecks form great scuba diving adventures. Kenya’s own M.V. Dania wreck, situated on the coral reef provides an exhilarating dive in Kenya. If you are an experienced diver, other unique dives include Vuma caves, Shark point, and Birthday Reef which located at the mouth of the Mombasa Port. Several hotels on the North coast organise day trips to Shimoni where guests dive at Kisite Marine Park amid dolphins. The hotel organises regular free diving activities

Nyaruita Gateri, the Chief Adventurer at Journey Kenya has been traveling around Kenya for over twenty years and knows fabulous locations to see animals in Kenya and to experience Kenya culture. Visit the discover section on Journey Kenya to get your very practical free guide to kenya animals, Kenya map and kenya people and to share your own experiences, stories and photos.