Wasini Island dolphin watching: how the day works
Wasini Island dolphin watching starts on land. On the $165 trip the day runs like this: pickup at 7:30 in Diani, the boat leaves Shimoni at 8:30, the dolphins and the reef come from about 10:00, and you are driven back after lunch on Wasini Island.
The park lies off the far southern tip of the Kenyan coast. Bottlenose and humpback dolphins are recorded around Kisite and Shimoni all year, and spinner dolphins from January to April. Whales are not part of this trip; the whale-watching season is on the north coast near Watamu. No boat can promise a sighting, which is why every trip pairs the dolphin search with snorkelling on the reef.
Dolphin watching trips to Wasini and Kisite
Five full-day boat trips from the south coast, from $117 to $165 per person.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wasini dolphin spotting tour
- Private transportation
- Park fees
- Snorkelling equipment
- Starter, main course and dessert
An eight-hour day with private transport, bottled water, a lunch of soup or salad, seafood or grilled chicken, and fresh fruit for dessert.
Check availability →
Full-day dolphin watching with snorkelling in Wasini
- Snorkelling equipment
- Lunch and water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
A full day with an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch and bottled water. If bad weather cancels the trip, the listing offers another date or a full refund.
Check availability →Kisite-Mpunguti dolphin safari with Wasini Island
- Park fees
- Snorkelling guides
- Swahili lunch on Wasini
Dolphin watching and snorkelling in the marine park, with a stop at the Shimoni slave caves and lunch on Wasini Island.
Check availability →Wasini dolphin and snorkelling excursion
- Marine park fees
- Shimoni slave caves fees
- Snorkelling gear
- Lunch
The longest day of the five, with the boat ride, soft drinks and fruit on board, and lunch of fish, chicken or vegetables.
Check availability →Full-day dolphin watching and snorkelling at Wasini
- Park fees
- Shimoni slave caves entry
- Snorkelling gear and marine guides
- Swahili lunch
Dolphin watching and snorkelling off Wasini, with a lunch of crab, fish, chicken or vegetables and a stop at the Shimoni slave caves.
Check availability →Wasini Island dolphin trips compared
Five full-day trips from the south coast, each with its inclusions and current availability.
Prices and what separates the five trips
Prices as of November 2026, per person: $117, $120, $120, $135 and $165. The $120 trip with the 9 hour day is the longest.
The $135 trip lists an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, water and snorkelling equipment. If bad weather cancels it, the listing offers another date or a full refund. The $165 trip is the one with private transport, plus a lunch of soup or salad, seafood or grilled chicken and fresh fruit. For a family of four that is $660 against $468, so the extra $192 buys the private vehicle and the longer menu, not extra time on the water. The $135 trip lists no park fees, while the other four include them.
The published KWS park fee for non-resident visitors is $25 per adult and $15 per child as of October 2025, which is why a trip that lists fees as included is easier to compare.
Dolphin watching and snorkelling at Kisite
The dolphin search comes first, out on the water from Shimoni. Lunch follows, with fish, chicken or vegetables on the menus of most trips. Our Wasini Island guide covers the island and the marine park in more detail.
The marine code asks that nobody touches animals, feeds fish or takes corals and shells. Swimming with dolphins is not part of any of these trips. Pack swimwear, a towel, water shoes, sunglasses and reef-safe sun protection. One listing advises against joining with back problems or heart conditions.
When to go
The trips run all year. April and May bring the heaviest rain on the coast, so a boat day is easier to plan in other months; see the coast weather guide for month-by-month figures.
Dolphin watching at Wasini: questions
How much does a dolphin trip to Wasini cost?
Between $117 and $165 per person. Four adults pay $468 at the lowest price and $660 at the highest.
How long is the day?
The trips run from 7 to 9 hours, including the drive to Shimoni, the boat, snorkelling and lunch. On the $165 trip the boat leaves Shimoni at 8:30.
Which months are best for dolphins?
Bottlenose and humpback dolphins are recorded off Kisite all year. Spinner dolphins are seen there from January to April.
Can I see whales on this trip?
No. Whale watching in Kenya belongs to the north coast near Watamu, not to the Wasini boats.