Travel advisory · KenyaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Kenya.The warnings cover only these areas: Border with Ethiopia, Border with South Sudan, Coastal areas north of Malindi, Garissa county, Lamu county, Lamu county excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island, Mandera county, Tana River county (except Tsavo National Park), Wajir county, Baringo county, Coast between Tana River and Galana River, Coastal areas of Tana River county, Eastleigh (Nairobi), Kibera (Nairobi), Mathare (Nairobi), Northern Tana River county, Pangani (Nairobi), Turkana county, West Pokot county.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Border with Ethiopia · avoid all travel · Spain, France, New Zealand
- Border with South Sudan · avoid all travel · Spain, France, New Zealand
- Coastal areas north of Malindi · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand, US
- Garissa county · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Lamu county · avoid all travel · Spain, New Zealand, US
- Lamu county excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, UK
- Mandera county · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- Tana River county (except Tsavo National Park) · avoid all travel · Italy, US
- Wajir county · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Baringo county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Italy
- Coast between Tana River and Galana River · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, UK
- Coastal areas of Tana River county · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Eastleigh (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Kibera (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand, US
- Mathare (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Northern Tana River county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, UK
- Pangani (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Turkana county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain
- West Pokot county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Italy, US
Also named by one government: Areas bordering Somalia (New Zealand), Garissa county excluding Garissa Town, Lagdera and parts of Balambala (UK), Kilifi county north of highway C103 (US), Maritime zone up to 72E and 15S (France), Marsabit county within 110 km of South Sudan and Ethiopia borders (Canada), Marsabit county within 50 km of Ethiopia border (US), Somalia border strip up to 100 km inside Kenya (France), Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies (UK), Turkana county within 110 km of South Sudan and Ethiopia borders (Canada), Turkana county within 50 km of Ethiopia border (US), Wajir county within 60 km of Somalia border (UK), Western Turkana county (US), Arid and remote regions of northern Kenya (Italy), Baringo sub-counties Mukutani, Muchongoi, Bartabwa, Tiaty East and Tiaty West (Spain), Elgeyo Marakwet county (Italy), Elgeyo Marakwet sub-counties Marakwet East and Marakwet West (Spain), Garissa Town (UK), Laikipia county (Italy), Laikipia sub-counties Olmoran, Ng'arua and Mukogodo (Spain), Lamu Island (Germany), Manda Island (Germany), Marsabit county (Spain), Mombasa (Italy), Outlying areas of Isiolo county (France), Outlying areas of Turkana county (France), Outlying areas of West Pokot county (France), Outlying regions of Marsabit county (France), Overland routes between Lamu and Malindi (Italy), Samburu county areas of Loroki and Kirisia (Spain), Turkana sub-counties Turkana South, Turkana East and Loima (Spain), West of Garissa county (France), West of Mandera county (France), West of Wajir county (France), West Pokot sub-counties Pokot North and Sigor (Spain), Within 75 km of Kenya-Somalia border (Ireland)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Oct 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Increased caution nationwide; partial travel warnings for specific areas (regional advisories) | Oct 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (reste du territoire) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Wasini Island
Wasini Island is a small fishing island on Kenya's south coast, reached by boat from Shimoni. Most visitors come for dhow trips over coral reefs in Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park.
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Wasini Island is a small fishing island off Kenya's south coast, in Kwale County. Visitors reach it by boat from Shimoni, and most come for the trip to Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park, where dhow boats cross coral reefs. Dolphins are sometimes seen on the way, but they are not guaranteed. The island has a fishing village where most day-trip lunches are served. The lanes are narrow and traffic is light.
The trip suits people who want a full day on the water with time to see the reef. Most people reach Shimoni from Diani or Mombasa by road, which means an early start. Sleeping in Shimoni cuts the drive to the jetty, but it adds a hotel cost. Plan the day around the boat schedule, and check sea conditions before you book, since trips can change in rough weather.
Wasini Island in five
- Check the UK advice, then pick a licensed boatThe UK advice tells visitors to use reputable operators for outings and warns of crime and terrorism risks on the coast. The far south sits outside the areas it advises against; read the map first.UK travel advice
- Plan around the marine park, not the islandKWS describes Kisite as a 28 km² no-take zone and Mpunguti as an 11 km² reserve with limited fishing. Its listed attractions are snorkeling, dolphins, coral gardens and a turtle haven.Kisite Mpunguti day trip
- Start from Diani rather than MombasaKWS puts the park about 90 km from Mombasa and 11 km off the coast at Shimoni. Diani lies on the southbound coast road, so the transfer is shorter, and Ukunda airstrip serves the area.Diani Beach guide
- Pack for a full day on the waterKWS lists snorkeling gear, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, a first aid kit, binoculars and drinking water. Single-use plastic is banned in its parks, so bring a refillable bottle.
- Dress modestly in the villageThe UK advice asks visitors to dress conservatively away from tourist resorts. On shore, cover shoulders and knees, ask before photographing people and keep swimwear for the boat and beach.
Need to know
- Getting there
- Road to Shimoni, about 90 km from Mombasa (KWS), then a boat
- Marine park
- Kisite 28 km² no-take zone; Mpunguti reserve 11 km² (KWS)
- Nearest airstrip
- Ukunda, which serves the south coast
- Best base
- Diani for a day trip; Shimoni or Wasini for an early start
- Time needed
- A full day; 1–2 nights to slow down
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryHot, calm
- FebruaryHot, calm
- MarchHot, humid
- AprilLong rains
- MayHeaviest rain
- JuneCooler, windy
- JulyCool, windy
- AugustCool, windy
- SeptemberDrier, breezy
- OctoberWarm, dry
- NovemberShort rains
- DecemberHot, busy
Right now in Wasini Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Wasini Island
11:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°23°98%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue30°24°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed30°23°67%Wednesday: Fog. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Thu30°24°75%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Fri30°23°59%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Sat30°24°54%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Sun31°23°80%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated 08:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 129.9 KES
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Parka half-day boat outingCoral gardens and snorkeling 11 km off the coast, with dolphins among the listed sights.
- Diani Beacha road trip back up the south coastLong white sand and reef-sheltered water, a natural base for the same boat day.Read the guide
- Mombasaabout 90 km by roadFort Jesus, the Old Town and the train terminus for the way back to Nairobi.Read the guide
Before you go to Wasini Island
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Wasini Island, checked
- KWS lists USD 25 per adult and USD 15 per child for non-residents at marine protected areas including Kisite Mpunguti, Watamu, Mombasa and Malindi.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- KWS asks visitors to keep 20 meters from wildlife, not feed it and carry out trash; gates open 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM unless you stay overnight.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Plan around Wasini Island
How a boat day works from the Diani resorts
Read the guideDiani BeachThe nearest resort strip and a base for boats
Read the guideMombasaAbout 90 km north by road, with Fort Jesus
Read the guideZanzibarAnother Swahili coast island, in Tanzania
Read the guideKenya eTA guideApply online before you fly
Read the guideAll of KenyaSafari parks, the coast and entry rules
Read the guideWasini Island FAQ
Is Wasini Island worth visiting?
Yes if you want snorkeling and a quiet Swahili village in one trip. Most visitors come for Kisite Mpunguti marine park, so the island works best as part of a boat day, with a night nearby only if you want to avoid the early drive.
How do I get to Wasini Island?
By road to Shimoni, then by boat. KWS places the marine park 11 km off the coast at Shimoni and about 90 km from Mombasa. Most visitors book a boat day with transfers from a south-coast hotel.
Can I visit Kisite Mpunguti from Mombasa?
It is possible, but the road to Shimoni makes a long day: KWS gives 90 km from Mombasa on one line and about 100 km by road on another. Staying on the south coast shortens the transfer and leaves more time on the water.
Do I pay the marine park fee separately?
The KWS schedule lists USD 25 per adult and USD 15 per child for non-residents at marine protected areas. Many operators bundle it, so ask what your boat price includes and keep the receipt.
Will I see dolphins at Kisite Mpunguti?
KWS lists swimming with dolphins among the park's attractions, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Early departures give the best chance of calm water and fewer boats.