GUIDE FOR DIVING TRIPS IN KENYA WITH AFRICANMECCA

The Kenyan Barrier Reef is the second longest reef in the world, covering a distance of more than 140 miles from Shimoni to Malindi. The reef is one of the world’s greatest dive locations, joined only by the prestigious Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea Reef. Scuba diving on the coast of Kenya will certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime marine-safari holiday in the Indian Ocean.

The waters along the Kenyan coast offer several dive locations that meet every diver’s wish list. In Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, you will find eleven prime dive sites with depths that range from 15 to almost 100 feet, and the waters are exceptionally clear.



Just a few miles north of Mombasa Island, Mombasa Marine Park offers dive sites that are only a short boat ride from shore from Bamburi Beach. Here you will see reef and also pelagic fishes, and the location is a splendid choice for underwater photographers. Twenty prime dive sites await you at Watamu Marine Park, with some of them being considered the best that Kenya offers. Every experience level is accommodated via your AfricanMecca trip planner, whether you want a flurry of fish activity during a shallow dive or see the less common fish species that are found during a deeper dive.

At Malindi Marine Park, the fringing reef gradually drops to a bed of sea grass, indicating that you are approaching the Barracuda Channel. The channel is situated between the North Reef and Barracuda Reef, and the deeper waters are where you will find the spider conch hiding at the shallower edges of the channel.



The Kenyan coast offers almost endless sites that will give you some of the most memorable diving experiences of your life, but knowing the “best of the best” sites takes your experience to a new level. Approximately two miles from Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is Mako Koke Reef, a superb specimen of a rejuvenating reef. At Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, Inner Kisite is the shallowest area of the park with depths of 6 to 25 feet. Only experienced divers should venture into the deep wall at Nyuli where two currents meet. The best time to dive this site is during slack tide. If you are looking for a coral garden with a drop, consider Secret Place, and a nice drift dive is Harm’s Drop Off.

The Canyon at Watamu Marine Park is situated outside the fringing reef and features a coral archway, gardens and steep walls. Inside the canyon, you may spot white tip reef shark and rays. A great location for night dives at Watamu Marine Park is inside the lagoon, also perfect for daytime novice dives. One of the finest dive sites for your thrilling beach tour in Kenya is on the southern end of North Reef in Malindi Marine Park.

Fish life is not as abundant, but you will see fish and coral species that are not found elsewhere. You can also travel further north of coastal Kenya, and dive around the isles of Lamu archipelago at Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Kiniyka and Manda Toto. If you would like to learn how to dive in Kenya, AfricanMecca can organize PADI Dive courses at selected accommodations in Mombasa, Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi, Funzi, Chale and Lamu.



Select Your Preferred Kenya Trip Idea Experiences

1. Safari Trip Ideas

2. Beach Trip Ideas

3. Mountain Trip Ideas

4. Itinerary Trip Ideas