Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is located on the south coast, off Shimoni and south of Wasini Island in Kwale district on the south Kenyan coast near the Tanzanian border. Here is how to get to Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park.
The complex covers a marine area with four small sculpted islands, which are a delightful area of living coral gardens.
Kisite Island is a small waterless coral island, 8 km offshore in the Marine Park. Coral platforms around the raised central portion are exposed at low tide.
The three other coral islets in the park (Mpunguti ya Juu, Mpunguti ya Chini and Liwe la Jahazi) lie closer to the larger Wasini Island, are scrub covered and support no significant wildlife or birds.
Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park is considered to be the most magnificent of all Kenyan marine parks. It covers an area of 39 km² and comprises four small islands surrounded by coral-reef. Major attractions include dolphins (bottlenose and humpback dolphins), sea turtles (mainly green turtle and hawksbill), sea birds, and a multitude of coral fishes. With a bit of luck, humpback whales can be spotted during their migration time from July to October.
Not far from the coastal city of Mombasa, and closer still to Diani beach, visitors can take a dhow cruise to explore the reefs, the islands and the aquatic life of this vibrant reserve.
The park is only reached by boat, usually a cruise on a traditional dhow. You can book a tour with Enclose Africa Safaris from the coastal resorts of Mombasa and Diani Beach.
Brief breakdown
On the southern coast of Kenya near Shimoni and south of Wasini Island, near the Tanzanian border. Kisite Mpunguti is 120 km (75 mi) from Mombasa and 605 km (375mi) from Nairobi.
- Location: Kwale District, Coast Province. The Marine Park lies 11 km off the Kenyan Coast (at Shimoni) and 8 km north of the Tanzanian border.
- Distance from Nairobi: 574 km.
- Distance from Mombasa: 90 km
* The Park can only be reached by boat.