Islands in Kwale
Sii Island: West of Kisite-Mpunguti Islands
Sii, to the far west of the Kisite-Mpunguti Islands, close to the Kenya-Tanzanian maritime boundary, is a small island spanning 3.2 km2 with a coastline of 8.7 km. Remote, uncharted and unpeopled until the last decade, the mean population of Sii is 116 per km2. It is still a primitive enclave, covered by mangrove forests end to end. For generations it served as a refuge for the native communities, Wavanga and Wajimbo, in times of war and slavery. It has retained much of its floral appeal by escaping degradation and misuse thanks to its inaccessibility for small dhows.
Still, the island is hard to live in. The mean elevation is just 5 m. The highest point on Sii Island reaches approximately 9 meters above sea level. That is to say, it is plain, flat, low-lying land that’s subject to the elements. Characterized by dense lush canopies of mangroves that retain their leaves year-round, it is also hard to find clearing for dwelling. These forests, typically tropical and subtropical, known for their biodiversity, also foster waterlogging. Sii Island has a tree cover of 97 %.
Today, the mangrove forests around Sii Island are the most intact and untainted within Kwale County. These forests provide protection to the contiguous fringing reefs which, in turn, serve as replenishment and spawning shelters for nearly 250 species of fish and about 124 coral species, yet, in recent years, the mangroves have been prone to illegal logging. The surrounding sea, too, is subject to illegal fishing activities such as seine netting and dynamite use by anglers from Tanzania.
The villages of Jimbo, Vanga and Kiwengu have proposed the protection of the forest through a local organization, VAJIKI (Vanga Jimbo Kiwengu) Community Forest Association. Mangroves within Kwale thrive in four key areas: Vanga-4265 ha, Funzi-2711 ha, Maftaha Bay-615 ha, and Ras Mwachema-5 ha. Together these form some of its most salient and highly productive coastal biospheres, defined by distinct wet and dry seasons with high temperatures year-round. Pronounced rainfall occurs during the wet season, while the dry season is marked by drought.
Kenya is home to several beautiful islands, each offering unique attractions and experiences. Mombasa, a term interchangeably used to refer to the city and county, is the most developed. Further north, Lamu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an enchanting destination. Overall, islands in Kenya offer a mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and recreational activities, making them popular.
Index of Islands Around Kenya
Baringo County - Lokoros, Rongena, Lengai, Devil’s, Samatian, Ol kokwe, Parmolos, Embu County - Gichuki, Homa Bay County - Rusinga, Ngodhe, Mfangano, Takawiri, Mbasa, Ringiti, Kilifi County - Sudi, Robinson, Kirepwe, Kisumu County - Ndere, Mageto, Kwale County - Chale, Wasini, Kisite-Mpunguti, Funzi, Sii, Lamu County - Lamu, Manda, Manda Toto, Kiwayu, Pate, Shindamwe, Machakos County - Gichuki, Migori County - Migingo, Usingo, Ugongo, Mombasa County - Mombasa, Nakuru County - Crescent, Turkana County - North, Central, South, Naperito Cathedral Rock
Located along the Kenyan coast, and a hub renowned for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes, Kwale County uniquely combines two of Kenya’s unsurpassed offerings – beach and safari. Kwale County is also a melting pot of coastal traditions, modern development, farming and trade to boot.
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A Guide to Kwale County
A Summa Digest of Kwale
About Kwale Way Back When
85 Destinations in Kwale County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:
Shelly Beach, Time Out Art Camp, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Kutazama Lodge, Mandhari Lodge, Kimerimeta Safari Lodge, Baraza Park, Kwale Town, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Shimba Hills Lodge, Elephant Lookout, Sheldrick Falls, Shimba Hills Organic Farm, Nyalani Dam, WWF Nursery, Tiwi Beach, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kongo Mosque, Twiga Mosque, Diani Mosque, Diani Beach Art Gallery, Diani Bikes, Center Point Mall, Diani Beach, Almasi Art Agency, Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant, Kenya Kite Masters, Kite Festival, Funguo Wreck, Swahili Beach Resort, Raydon Water Sports, Colobus Conservation Trust, Sails Beach Bar & Restaurant, H2O Extreme, Nomad Beach Bar & Restaurant, Baobab Beach Resort, Lantana Galu Beach, Galu Ruins, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Skydive Diani, Kalista Bar & Restaurant, Kaya Kinondo (Forest), Kinondo Kwetu (Resort), Chale Island, Tulia Eco Garden, Gazi Beach, Gazi Mangrove Boardwalk, Gazi Ruins, Msambweni Beach, Munje Beach, Munje Beach Villas, Munje Ruins, Munje Octopus Closure, Funzi Island, Shirazi Ruins, Fikirini Caves, Hormuz, Pongwe, Shimoni Caves, Betty's Camp, Shimoni Ruins, KWS Shimoni Cottages, Wasini Island, Wasini Ruins, Wasini Boardwalk, Charlie Claw’s, Chambocha Cemetery, Wasini Dolphin Tours, Pilli Pipa Dhow, Blue Monkey Cottages, GVI Mkwiro, Mwaozi Tumbe's Gravestone, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, Sii Island, Mrima Hill, Maji Moto Springs, Vumba Kuu, Vanga, Vanga Ruins, Nyika Plateau
Know More About Kwale County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kwale has monsoon type of climate marked by hot and dry weather from January to May and cooler temperatures from June to August. Average annual temperatures ranges between 24oC and 30oC.
Kwale is widely known for its 35 km long coast, where Diani Beach sits. Inland, the coastal uplands, commonly referred to as Shimba Hills, is a sharp elevation in altitude. The land then steeply falls again into the Nyika Plateau and Tsavo.