Known as the gateway to the Kenyan coast and offering some of Kenya's best dive sites, Mombasa is at its best between the months of September and March, and offers wreck dives, drift diving, fantastic reefs, and some spectacular night dives. Here are five favorite Mombasa dive sites to get you started.
Globe Star Wreck
The Globe Star was a cargo ship tasked with carrying grain, palm oil, and other staples around the African coast. The ship was lost after striking Leven Reef on April 27th of 1973, and while no lives were lost in the initial incident, five salvage workers were killed in November of that same year while dismantling the wreck. A massive ship 137.5 meters long, she is teeming with all kinds of marine life, including snappers and moray eels, parrotfish and lionfish, and even visiting pelagics. Maximum depth is just 10 meters, making this one amazing wreck everyone can explore.
Birthday Reef
A deep reef that begins at a depth of 25 meters and which meets the ocean floor at a depth of 50 meters, Birthday Reef is only diveable when conditions are perfect. If you're fortunate enough to experience this dive site, you'll find yourself face to face with groupers weighing in at more than 100 kilograms, splendid leopard moray eels, shoals of sardines, red , and grey snappers, surgeonfish, and all kinds of pelagics. Watch for turtles, and keep an eye out for the white tip reef sharks that frequent this reef.
Wall and Wall 2
Two great dive sites in one! The first wall drops straight down from 12 meters to 30 meters, and offers an excellent opportunity to drift along with a kaleidoscope of fish while taking in the splendid geologic features of the wall itself, as well as the lovely coral and sponges that thrive there. Wall 2 is similar to Wall 1, however, it drops away to a depth greater than 30 meters, plus it has the distinction of being the final resting place for a massive sea anchor believed to have been lost during the first part of the 20th century. Due to current and depth, these sites are suitable for experienced divers only.
Shelley Corner
A simple yet spectacular dive site with depths ranging from 10 to 20 meters, Shelley Corner is an excellent place to encounter sea turtles and moray eels, along with seemingly endless shoals of snappers and other fish. Normally done as a second dive, the site is ideal for all divers to enjoy.
Coral Gardens
Located inside the shelter of the lagoon, Coral Gardens is always calm, even when other sites are blown out. Featuring maximum depth at just 7 meters, the site is perfect for all divers, and is home to a wealth of marine life. Excellent visibility combined with outstanding ambient light conditions and no current make this colorful site a favorite with photographers.
These are just a few of the great dive sites the Mombasa area has to offer. While you're in the area, take the opportunity to visit Mombasa Marine Park, or dive the wreck of the MV Dania, and don't forget to take some time to explore topside attractions, too - some favorites include the crocodile farm at Mamba Village, and the giant elephant tusks built to honor Queen Elizabeth when she honeymooned in the area in 1952. Whether you stay for a month or just a few days, you'll find Mombasa has plenty to offer.