Dhow and Snorkelling Trips
The following is a list of the main dhow-trip operators , all of which operate out of the South Coast. Unless stated, all will pick you up from your hotel (South Coast, and North Coast as far as Kikambala), either for free or for a nominal extra charge. For the most part, the dhows are not under sail but are powered by on-board or outboard motors. All can be booked direct, or though your hotel. Dolphin Dhow Barclays Centre, Diani Beach (Blue Horizons Adventures, PO Box 85636 Mombasa tel & fax 0127/2094, ). Day-long dolphin-spotting trips combined with snorkelling (no flippers provided; bring your own). Early-morning pick-ups from North and South Coast hotels. Lunch on board. Dolphin sightings obviously not guaranteed. $90-95. Funzi Island Club near Barclays, Diani Beach, PO Box 1108 Ukunda tel 0127/2044, funzicamp@africaonline.co.ke). This expensive hotel also offers dolphin-spotting trips by dhow combined with crocodile spotting on the Ramisi River estuary. No snorkelling. Early-morning pick-ups from North and South Coast hotels. $80-90. Kinazini Funzi Dhow Safaris Glory Car Hire office, Diani Beach Shopping Centre, tel 0127/3182. Trips with a more cultural bent, with a cruise through Funzi creek and the mangroves, a visit to the ruins on Funzi island, and visits to a local school, a private house and a market place, with lunch on the uninhabited island of Kinazini. $75-80. Paradise Lost/Shirazi Bay Diego House, opposite Barclays Centre, Diani Beach (Exotic Destinations, PO Box 5050 Diani tel 0127/3514, fax 3389). Day-trips combining a morning mangrove cruise and snorkelling, lunch in Shirazi Bay and an afternoon village trip, for $75-85. Pilli-Pipa Dhow Safaris Colliers Centre, PO Box 5185 Diani Beach tel & fax 0127/2401; office tel 0127/3559 or 0127/52286). Hugely enjoyable dhow day-trips to Kisiti Marine National Park for outstanding snorkelling (field guides, masks, snorkels and fins provided), with a late lunch of crab claws, fine wine and Swahili food at a private house on Wasini Island. Departures most days at 8.30am from Shimoni jetty (collection can be arranged from both South and North Coast hotels). $95-100. SSI East Africa (Blue Wave) By Nomad Hotel , PO Box 5011 Diani Beach tel 0127/2369-70, fax 2372, ssi@africaonline.co.ke. Offers mangrove trips (by motorboat; 3-4hr) from Jadini Beach Hotel in Diani south to mangrove channels in front of Chale Island, where you might see grey herons, fish eagles, cormorants and kingfishers. Wasini Island Restaurant & Kisite Dhow Tours Jadini Beach Hotel , Diani Beach, PO Box 281 Ukunda tel 0127/2331 or 3055, fax 3154, . Established over twenty years ago and environmentally aware, offering day-long dhow and snorkelling trips at Kisiti, with a seemingly endless seafood lunch at their restaurant on the north side of Wasini Island upon your hungry return. Costs $60 from Shimoni jetty, or $80-85 including early-morning transport from your hotel. Equipment and field guides are available on board. Scuba diving, if you've already got accreditation, costs an additional $50 for two dives, or $30 per dive for beginners. Dolphin spotting also possible.
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