A small island just about 5 kilometers long and only 1 kilometer across, Wasini is sparsely populated, with no roads or cars. It is inhabited by the indigenous Vumba people, who live in two villages, one at either end of the island. Surrounded by spectacular reefs, Wasini is located just 10 kilometers from the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, and is monitored by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Offering an abundance of equatorial marine life and astounding underwater vistas, Kenya's Wasini is an outstanding place to dive.
Coral Garden / Pink Reef
This beautiful yet shallow dive site is named for the pink colored soft coral that proliferates here. Featuring maximum depth at just 15 meters and with plenty to see in even shallower water, the site is swarming with curtains of shimmering glass fish and brightly colored anthias, and it is well-known for its population of well hidden leaf fish and frog fish. Keep an eye out for the moray eels that call the site home, and spend some time looking for colorful macro life, including several species of flatworms and nudibranchs.
Secret Place
A pristine area of coral that has so far managed to escape the effects of El Nino unscathed, Secret Place is another outstanding place to discover many different nudibranch varieties, not to mention lots of other invertebrates and crustaceans. The fish population here includes some large humpback parrotfish, huge resident groupers, napoleon wrasse, brilliant ribbon eels, and rays. Easy depths between 10 and 25 meters make the Secret Place a wonderful site for all levels to enjoy.
Nyuli
Well known as Kenya's best place to spot predatory species, Nyuli is an outstanding deep dive site, with the reef beginning at a depth of 27 meters. You'll want to bring a good dive light as the colors down here are spectacular; the coral is incredible and there are brilliant nudibranchs everywhere. As you explore, you are likely to encounter shoaling blue striped snapper, large trevally, and sleek barracuda that hunt in massive schools. In addition, the site is a great place to spot napoleon wrasse and shovel nose rays, along with some enormous groupers. Last but not least, keep an eye out for the leopard sharks and the seasonal white tip sharks that hunt the site.
Maokokwe
An impressive dive site where towering pinnacles of coral and huge lettuce leaf coral formations create a truly magical underwater scene, Maokokwe features depths between just 8 and 15 meters, so you can see the colorful lobsters and nudibranchs that live here quite well, even without a light. Brightly colored reef fish and shoaling barracuda complete the scene, which is among Wasini's most popular dive sites.
Dolphin Point
A splendid coral reef that begins at a depth of only 3 meters and meets the sandy bottom at a depth of just 12 meters, Dolphin Point is often frequented by playful dolphins that seem to enjoy interacting with divers. While you're waiting for the dolphins to arrive, spend some time enjoying the beautiful coral heads, where colorful parrotfish, turkeyfish, and lionfish can be seen. Lots of yellow snappers, anthia, and other reef fish add even more excitement to the dive site.
While you are here, you may get the opportunity to visit the Wasini Island's topside area; the local women have built a trail that leads to ancient caves and proceeds go to help them purchase the few supplies they need from the mainland. All diving is conducted from boats, and depending on where you're staying, the trip to the island could be a long one. Nevertheless, these spectacular dive sites are well worth the travel time required.