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    Wasini Island & Kisite-Mpunguti
    FredD / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Kenya

    Wasini Island & Kisite-Mpunguti

    Point of Interest

    Wasini Island and the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park are located in the very south of the Kenyan coast, approximately 75 kilometers south of Mombasa, near the Tanzanian border.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Kenya
    7. Coast
    9. Wasini Island & Kisite-Mpunguti
    Wasini Island and the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park are located in the very south of the Kenyan coast, approximately 75 kilometers south of Mombasa, near the Tanzanian border. Boat trips from Shimoni lead to dolphins and coral reefs, and on the car-free island, seafood lunches are served.On the mainland in Shimoni, the Shimoni Slave Caves are a reminder of the slave trade on the coast.

    Sights in Wasini Island & Kisite-Mpunguti

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park
    National Park

    1Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park

    A 39 sq km marine protected area comprising Kisite Marine National Park and Mpunguti Reserve, with four small islands and coral reefs south of Wasini. Known for dolphins, plus sea turtles and occasional whale sharks. Boat trips depart from Shimoni.
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    Shimoni Slave Caves
    Attraction

    2Shimoni Slave Caves

    Caves in Shimoni, site of a community project and linked to the coastal slave trade. The extent of their historical role is not conclusively determined. Fruit bats inhabit the caves.
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    Restaurants in Wasini Island & Kisite-Mpunguti

    1

    Charlie Claw's

    Well-known seafood restaurant on Wasini Island and a frequent lunch stop for boat trips from Shimoni. Under an open roof with water views, crabs and other seafood are primarily served on wooden boards.
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    Island, Sea and History

    Wasini IslandThis approximately seven-kilometer-long island has about 3,000 inhabitants, mainly in the villages of Wasini and Mkwiro. There are only footpaths, no cars, and electricity in the villages is mainly supplied by solar panels and generators. A women's group built a wooden jetty over the coral gardens at the west end, with its earnings benefiting the community.Kisite-MpungutiThis protected area covers approximately 39 square kilometers, comprising the 28-square-kilometer Kisite Marine National Park and the Mpunguti Marine Reserve, which includes four small islands and coral reefs. The area is renowned for its dolphins, such as bottlenose and humpback dolphins, as well as sea turtles, numerous reef fish, and occasional whale sharks.Shimoni Slave CavesThe Shimoni caves are presented by a community project and are associated with the slave trade. Their actual historical role, however, has not been conclusively determined. Fruit bats live in the caves.

    Getting Here & Practical Tips

    Getting ThereThe starting point is Shimoni, accessible via the coastal road south of Diani. Many operators offer day trips from Diani or Mombasa, often including dolphin watching, snorkeling, lunch on Wasini, and a visit to the caves.When booking, check whether parking fees and admission for the caves and jetty are included in the price.FeesFor KWS Marine Parks, including Kisite-Mpunguti, non-resident adults pay US$25 per day, and children and students US$15, according to the fee schedule effective October 1, 2025. Payments are made via eCitizen.For current and authoritative travel and safety advice, see the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice, linked on the country page.

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    Nearby

    Diani Beach

    Diani Beach

    Diani Beach is the most famous resort town on Kenya's South Coast, south of Mombasa, about an hour's drive from the city center depending on the route and traffic. A long white sandy beach, restaurants, and hotels are situated right next to coastal forest, where the organization Colobus Conservation protects endangered colobus monkeys.At the southern end of Diani, you can visit the sacred Kaya Kinondo forest of the Digo on guided walks.
    Shimba Hills National Reserve

    Shimba Hills National Reserve

    The Shimba Hills National Reserve is a forested highland near Kwale, approximately 33 kilometers from Mombasa and 15 kilometers from the coast. It is known for Kenya's only population of Sable Antelope, for elephants, and for the Sheldrick Falls, to which a path leads through the coastal rainforest.To the north, it is adjoined by the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, a corridor through which elephants roam between the areas.
    Mombasa

    Mombasa

    Mombasa is Kenya's second-largest city and the historic center of the Swahili Coast, an island city connected to Nairobi by the Madaraka Express in four and a half to six hours, depending on the train. The Portuguese built Fort Jesus here starting in 1593, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the narrow streets of the Old Town adjoining its walls.North of the island lies Haller Park, located in a rewilded quarry, as well as the beaches of Nyali and Bamburi with hotels, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.
    Kilifi

    Kilifi

    Kilifi is situated on a wide creek, approximately halfway between Mombasa and Malindi. The Kilifi Creek, with its mangroves, sailboats, and birdlife, defines the area, and on the southern bank, atop a hill, stand the Mnarani ruins of a Swahili city.Kilifi also features Bofa Beach, a long sandy beach with several beach restaurants and a kitesurfing centre.
    Coast

    Coast

    Kenya's coast on the Indian Ocean stretches from the Tanzanian border to the Lamu Archipelago, combining white beaches, coral reefs, and a Swahili culture shaped over centuries. Here are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Lamu Old Town, the Gede Ruins, and the sacred Kaya Forests of the Mijikenda.Many travelers combine an inland safari with a few days by the sea, for example in Diani, Watamu, or Malindi.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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