Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park

Entrance fees for Kisite‑Mpunguti Marine National Park are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and must be paid before or at the park gate. These fees support marine conservation, reef protection, wildlife habitats, and visitor services.

• East African Citizens: Adult KES 500 | Child KES 250

• Kenya Residents: Adult KES 675 | Child KES 350

• African Citizens (non‑resident): Adult USD 15 | Child USD 10

• International Visitors: Adult USD 25 | Child USD 15

Notes:

• Children under 3–5 years often enter free; exact age limits vary — confirm with your guide at the gate. 18 years and above are charged as Adults.

• Fees are valid for the duration of your visit; multi-day visits require additional entries.

• Ideally, pay through the official KWSPay eCitizen portal, managed by KWS.

• Accepted payment methods: M‑Pesa, Visa, Mastercard, or eCitizen wallet.

Steps to purchase tickets online:

1. Go to the KWSPay eCitizen portal.

2. Select Kisite‑Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve.

3. Choose your visitor category: citizen, resident, or non‑resident.

4. Enter entry and exit dates, number of visitors.

5. Pay securely using M‑Pesa, credit/debit card, or eCitizen wallet.

6. Download the receipt (QR code) and present it at the park gate along with your ID or passport.

Tip: While online purchase is recommended, Kaaribu Experiences can assist with park entry at the departure point of Shimoni. Always confirm with your guide beforehand.

• Many guided Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park tours from Diani Beach or Mombasa include park entry fees, so you don’t need to purchase tickets separately.

• These packages often bundle transportation, marine activities, and cultural visits into one seamless experience. 

• Book tickets and tours early, especially during high season, to avoid availability issues.

• Carry ID or passport for verification at the park gate.

• Combine your visit with optional activities such as cultural visits (e.g., the Shimoni Slave Cave) for a richer experience.

Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park is located along the southern coast of Kenya, near the small coastal village of Shimoni in Kwale County. The protected marine park sits in the Indian Ocean just off the Kenya–Tanzania border, making it one of the southernmost marine conservation areas managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The park lies offshore from the mainland and is best known for its coral reef ecosystems, calm snorkeling waters, and rich marine biodiversity. Just a short distance away is Wasini Island, a small coral island that forms an essential part of the marine excursion experience.

The marine park is situated approximately 8 kilometers offshore in the Indian Ocean and forms part of a protected marine ecosystem that includes coral islands, reef flats, seagrass beds, and mangrove habitats.

Key geographic landmarks around the park include:

• Wasini Island – a coral island known for Swahili culture and seafood restaurants

• Shimoni – the mainland coastal village where most marine excursions depart

• Pemba Island in Tanzania – visible from the marine park on clear days

• The Indian Ocean coral reef system that stretches along the East African coastline

This location places Kisite within one of the richest marine biodiversity zones in East Africa, making it ideal for snorkeling, dolphin watching, and marine photography.

Bird watching, diving, boat safaris, coral viewing, snorkelling, sunbathing and swimming with the dolphins

Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park is located offshore in the Indian Ocean along Kenya’s southern coastline, and is accessed through the coastal fishing village of Shimoni in Kwale County near the border with Tanzania.

Because the marine park lies offshore, visitors first travel by road to Shimoni before continuing by boat to the marine park and nearby Wasini Island. Most visitors reach the area from the popular beach destinations of Diani Beach or Mombasa.

From Diani Beach

• Distance: Approximmately 60 Km

• Travel time: about 1.5 hours by road

• Most travelers join organized Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park tours with hotel pickup and return transfers.

From Mombasa

• Travel time: approximately 2.5–3 hours by road

• The journey typically follows the Dongo Kundu Bypass, which connects Mombasa to the south coast without using the Likoni Ferry.

• From there, the route continues south past Diani Beach before reaching Shimoni, the departure point for boats to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Wasini Island.

This route has significantly reduced travel time and improved access to the south coast for visitors traveling from Mombasa.

Private Transfers

Travelers looking for reliable ground transport can arrange transfers with Karibu Taxi, which provides airport transfers and coastal transport services between Mombasa, Diani Beach, Ukunda, and Shimoni. This is a convenient option for visitors arriving at the coast who want a direct transfer to the marine excursion departure point.

By Air

• Nearest airport: Ukunda Airstrip near Diani Beach

• Domestic flights connect to Nairobi and safari destinations like the Maasai Mara

• Transfer time from Ukunda(Diani Beach) to Shimoni: about 1 hour

From the harbor at Shimoni, visitors board traditional dhow boats or speedboats for the short journey to Kisite Marine Park.

• Boat ride: About 1.5 hrs

• Activities typically include snorkeling above coral reefs, dolphin watching, and lunch on Wasini Island

Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park can be visited year-round thanks to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, but sea conditions and visibility vary depending on the season.

December – MarchJuly – October

These dry seasons typically offer:

• Calmer seas

• Excellent underwater visibility

• Higher chances of dolphin sightings

• Ideal conditions for snorkeling and traditional dhow sailing

Many visitors staying in nearby coastal destinations like Diani Beach and Mombasa plan their Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park excursions during these months.

April – June (Long Rains)

• Occasional rougher seas

• Fewer tourists visiting the coast

November (Short Rains)

• Short afternoon showers

• Morning marine excursions usually operate normally

Despite seasonal rainfall, warm ocean temperatures (25–29°C) make snorkeling in Kisite Marine Park enjoyable throughout most of the year.

You can book this attraction with us.

Send us an email at: support@kaaribu.com

Call / WhatsApp: +254732905343

Send us the details below.

• Preferred name of the lead guest:
• Number of Adults:
• Number of Children:
• Check-in dates:
• Check out date:
• Special request ID:

We provide a free, non-obligatory proposal for you to compare with the hotel OTAs or other operators and agents.

Below are the benefits of booking with us.

• We get better rates than direct and OTAs
• Since we have a direct relationship with hotels, we share our commission with you.
• Booking with us makes us your personal travel consultant.
• We can get you discounts that are never published online, especially during low occupancies
• We can bundle up the hotel with other components like safaris, excursions, and transfers.
• In some destinations, we have complimentary free tours for all guests who book with us.
• We are flexible, and therefore, we will accommodate your travel changes with ease.
• For some hotels, we can allow you to pay on arrival if you have paid the commitment fee.