Islands in Kwale
Wasini Island: A Pristine Natural Landscape
The 7 km long and 3 km wide Wasini Island, orientated in a horizontal east-west strike, lies about 900 ms south of Shimoni Penninsula. Shimoni boatyard on the mainland is traditionally the jumping-off place to Wasini Island. The little town of Wasini set on the north-western part of the island is its main landing. It’s a truly unchanging backwater with just a scanty population of about 4,000 inhabitants belonging chiefly to three fishing communities, Wadigo, Washirazi and Wavumba, who coexists in this dreamy island, where life has changed very little for decades.
Arriving at Wasini Island, it feels like a world lost in time! Unspoiled forests rising over fresh as shell chestnut shaded eroded coastal bluff overlooking incredibly pretty deserted beaches and hiding sleepy villages. Nature and culture sneak up on you around every bend. A path links its four villages on each corner: Wasini, Nyuma Maji, Bogoa and Mkwiro. Limited farming is carried out in small garden plots dominated by coconuts and bananas. For tourism, there are a few seafood eateries catering to day-visitors and a hatful of traditional dug-out canoes serving as hop-on hop-off water taxis. These boats offer sailing experiences around the island, providing opportunities to observe marine life and enjoy the coastal bliss.
The seaward exploration is easily combined with a trip to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, lying just 1 km south of Wasini Island. The local-based Kisite Private Boat Operators Association arrange tours to Kisite. Jolly dolphins seem ever happy to escort guests on their tours. In September there is a good chance of stumbling across humpback whales. Back on the island, you can tour Wasini boardwalk and coral gardens walkways, ancient Waseju Mosque and tombs. Exploring Wasini island’s villages allows visitors to immerse themselves in Swahili culture, interact with local communities, and learn lots about their fascinating traditional lifestyles.
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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Explore Destinations Nearby Wasini Island
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
What’s The Air Like In Kwale?
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.
What’s The Lay of The Land In C.02?
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.