Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Kenya’s coastal waters are warm all year round so it is possible to dive without a wetsuit and have a rewarding dip under the wave almost anywhere.Most of the diving bases are located at Malindi,Watamu or on the coast south of Mombasa.Diani Beach is probably the most popular area.There are centres here which will provide training to PADI leader level.For underwater photogrphers,in particular,the immense coral reef is a major draw-the landscape is spectacularly varied,with shallow coral gardens and blue-water drop-offs sinking as deep as 200m and, as there are few rivers to bring down sediment,visibility is generally excellent.
If you plan to do a fair bit of snorkelling,it makes sense to bring your own mask and snorkel though they can always be rented.The Dive Sites of Kenya and Tanzania,by Anton Koornhof is highly recommended,and also covers sites suitable for snorkelling.For fish identification,A Guide to Common Reef Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean and Kenyan Coast by Kenneth Bock . Another good book is Coral Reef Fishes -Indo-Pacific and Caribbean by Ewald Lieske and Robert Myers .
Most obviously,the beaches are the launch pad for one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world,rated in the top three by experienced divers,along with Australia’s Barrier Reef and the Red Sea. With breathing apparatus you can do some spectacular dives ,including night and wreck dives, but even with the most limited equipment-a snorkel and a mask- you can still enter what really is another world,either taking a boat or swimming out to discover sections of reef for yourself.The three most spectacular zones,enclosed in Marine National Parks,are far to the south off Wasini island,the area between Watamu and Malindi,and in the extreme north,off Kiwaiyu island.
Watamu National Marine Park
The Watamu National Marine Park and Reserve offers extensive diving and snorkeling opportunities for novice and advanced levels.
Some of the sites in the protected areas include:
- Moray Reef
- Drummers Reef
- The Canyon
- Brain Coral
- The Wreck
- Turtle Reef
Diving conditions vary, due to the seasonal monsoon winds. Snorkelling can be done all year round, although conditions vary according to the season, wind and weather.
The best times to dive and snorkel in Watamu are between November and March.
Between April and October, diving is often limited to the sites inside the fringe reef as the monsoon winds make it difficult to travel beyond this protective barrier.
Some dive bases are closed during June and July; if you wish to dive during this period, it is best to check with us to ensure your preferred dive base is open.
Scuba Diving
The warm tropical seas of the Indian Ocean provide ideal conditions for an astonishing variety of marine life and outstanding diving potential. The Kenya Coast, protected by a coral reef offers beginners the chance to learn to dive before venturing into the deep. Diving packages can be tailored to your requirements from most hotels we feature on the Kenyan Coast, the Seychelles and Mauritius. Scuba Diving is an opportunity for recreational divers to see beautiful multicolored corals, explore sunken ships and underwater caves.