Diving Holidays in Kenya - Scuba Diving in Mombasa

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The Kenyan coast runs for roughly 480 km from Somalia in the North to Tanzania in the South. A fringing reef system and the establishing of effective Marine park reserves have made Kenya an excellent dive location in its own right, but this combined with a Safari Holiday is what makes Kenya so special.

I learnt to dive at Bamburi beach, which is about 12km from Mombasa and can honestly say that it was one of the best holidays I have ever had. The dive master who taught me was a fully qualified PADI diving instructor and it took me four days to get my open water divers license. I started off in on of the hotels swimming pools, just getting the basics right, once that was done it was off to the reef, about 500m from the shore. There is a little studying to do, this was mostly done lying on the beach in the afternoons! One of the bonuses of learning to scuba dive in Kenya is the cost, It is ALOT cheaper than learning in the UK and the waters are a whole lot warmer!

So where are the best places to go diving in Kenya?

All along the entire Kenyan coast stretches a vast coral reef protected from over fishing and development in many places by Marine Park laws.

Mombasa South Coast Dive Sites - Kisite Marine Park & Mpunguti Marine Reserve
The Kisite-Mpunguti marine national park is about 75 miles south of Mombasa in the far south of Kenya. The diving here is not as seasonal as it is further up the coast and local conditions are excellent for much of the year. In Kisite Marine Park And Mpunguti Marine Reserves there have been found around 250 varieties of marine fishes, and over 40 varieties of coral species, including large numbers of pelagic fish, butterfly, parrot, rock cod, angel, manta ray. Turtles, dolphins, reef sharks are also seen. Corals like brain, stag horn, lilac-blue, mushroom, and lavender. >> view the location on the map of Kenya

Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve
The park is 10 km2 while the reserve is 200 km2. Both the park and reserve are the most highly utilised among marine protected areas. The coastline is, in Kenyan terms heavily developed with tourist facilities. The Popular resort area of Bamburi Beach lies within this area. If you are looking for access to great scuba diving as well as accommodation, then this may be the area you are looking for.

Bamburi beach is a popular snorkeling and diving location in Kenya. >> view location on the map of Kenya

Malindi - Watamu Marine Reserve
Over 100 species of hard coral have been identified but there are relatively few soft corals due to a combination of wave action and turbulence in the shallow water. Most easily recognizable are the Mushroom corals (Porites) which occur up to 4 meters in diameter. These are often heavily grazed by Parrotfish which can be seen by scratches on the coral surface. Surgeonfish, Snappers, Parrotfish, Angelfish, Puffer fish, Butterfly fish, Triggerfish and many, many others offer an unbelievable display of variety and colour. Several types for Ray and occasionally young (and harmless!) Sharks can also be seen. Scuba diving, available at Turtle Bay Beach Club, is very accessible with the outer reef being only 10 minutes boat ride. >> view location on the map of Kenya

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Diving Holidays in Kenya

Lastminute.com offer a number of package holidays, mostly in hotels on the coast north of Mombasa and which lie close to the well-protected coral reefs of the Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve. Many of the hotels will have acces to the local diving facilities.

lastminute.com holidays in Kenya Lastminute.com is the place to find deals on late and last minute holidays all around the globe including Kenya. Apart from lastminute travel arrangements, I often find that they have the cheapest all inclusive holidays even when booking well in advance and they are well worth checking.

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Best Time to dive?

The best time of year to dive most places is November before the short rains start up until March before the long rains begin. In some areas around July and August can become undiveable because of the strong winds. From November through to March diving near Malindi is not great as it is affected by the Galana river and the water literally turns brown and is undiveable on the usual reefs, around July or August is the best time to dive in Malindi.

Diving operators

Kenya has a number of large Diving operators / franchises that operate all along the coast. Often one operator will have bases in numerous hotels. In Mombasa Buccaneer and Barracuda are the two main operators. Further South on Diani beach there is Diani Marine who make two dive trips daily and as many as six in the high season.

Buccaneer Diving, Mombasa Kenya

Buccaneer Diving is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre in Kenya with an in-house Course Director. Bruce Philips, the owner/course director, has been in business since 1988 and is justifiably proud of the reputation he maintains throughout Kenya. Bucanneer operate out of a number of hotels in Mombasa. They offer a wide range of PADI courses at all levels. Every course is a chance to expand your experience and knowledge as well as being enjoyable and giving a great sense of achievement. Short on time? What about a specialty? Exciting diving, very little reading, they offer Photography, Nitrox, Wreck and Shark diving amongst many others. They also regularly qualify PADI professionals and offer internships. Where to Stay Whitesands Voyager Nyali Beach Hotel Sun and Sand Mombasa Beach Hotel Lesoleil Beach Hotel Reef Hotel Enquiries and bookings can be made via email, by telephone or in person at any of the Buccaneer Diving bases. Whitesands Hotel: + 254 (0)20 203 9464 + 254 (0)728 999225 Voyager Hotel: + 254 (0)20 203 9463 + 254 (0)728 999229 Sun and Sands: + 254 (0)20 203 9454 + 254 (0)728 999226 Bruce Phillips : + 254 (0)733 630369 + 254 (0)728 630369 or email: bruce@buccaneerdiving.com

Diving Diani Marine

Diani Marine, a 5 star PADI dive center have been providing diving excursions for more than 25 years. Located near Diani Beach and the diani reef beach resort spa, it is an excellent place in Kenya to either learn to dive, or go on a diving holiday. Diani Marine maintains 3 dive boats and make two dive trips daily and as many as six in the high season. Diani Marine also have a 3.6 meter deep pool, designed to train divers, but is also is ideal for all the family to relax and enjoy! Where to Stay Diani Marine Divers Village: is situated in the roaming tropical palm gardens, it has a pool and bar. The "Village" is surrounded by a tropical palm garden that reaches out to the white sands and crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Diani Marine Villas: Diani Marine also have a four villas that you can stay in and a perfect if you don't wish to stay at a hotel. All include wireless internet connection Enquiries and bookings simply send an email, a fax or call. BOX 340, UKUNDA, KENYA phone: +254 40 320 2367 & 320 3451 fax: +254 40 320 3452 e-mail: info@dianimarine.com

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Other Diving Locations in Africa

Another excellent place you may wish to consider for your diving holiday is Zanzibar Island off the coast of Tanzania. This is also an excellent place if you want white sands, coconut trees and turquoise blue sea!

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