(5 reviews)
English, Swahili (optional)
Solo, Family, Couple, Group
What?
A full-day ocean experience combining a traditional dhow sail, dolphin spotting and snorkelling in clear coastal waters. A relaxed yet adventurous way to explore Kenya’s marine life.
Where?
Wasini Island, along the southern coast, approximately 45 minutes from Diani.
When?
Available throughout the year.
Why?
There is something special about being out on the ocean. This experience allows you to connect with nature in a simple and beautiful way, from spotting dolphins in their natural habitat to exploring underwater life while snorkelling. It is a day to slow down, take it all in and enjoy the magic of the coast.
How?
Start your day with a pick up from Diani or Mombasa and head to Shimoni. From there, board a traditional dhow with a local crew who will guide you through the experience. Snorkelling gear, lunch and park fees are all taken care of, so you can simply enjoy the day.
This experience directly supports local dhow captains, crew members and coastal communities. By joining the trip, you contribute to sustainable income opportunities for those who depend on the ocean for their livelihood.
Spending time in the marine environment builds a deeper appreciation for ocean ecosystems. Through snorkelling and guided experiences, travellers gain awareness of the importance of protecting coral reefs and marine life.
This trip is rooted in local knowledge and community involvement. From the crew to the food prepared, the experience is shaped by people from the area, ensuring tourism benefits stay within the community.
Using a traditional dhow and small-group approach keeps the experience simple and mindful. It encourages a slower way of exploring that respects nature and minimises environmental impact.
Begin your day with an early pick up from your accommodation and enjoy the journey down to Shimoni. Arrive at the dhow and get settled in as you prepare for a day on the water.
Set sail on the dhow and head out into the open ocean. Keep an eye out for dolphins as you move through the waters and if you are lucky, they’ll show off and swim alongside the dhow.
Stop for snorkelling in clear waters, exploring the marine life below the surface. Take your time to swim, relax and enjoy the calm surroundings before sitting down to a freshly prepared lunch.
After a full day on the ocean, sail back to shore and begin your journey back to your accommodation, carrying with you a sense of calm and connection to the sea.
This is a full-day experience. Departure is usually early in the morning, with return in the late afternoon or early evening depending on sea conditions and travel time.
Dolphins are commonly spotted in the area, but as they are wild animals, sightings can never be guaranteed. The crew will however do their best to locate them respectfully in their natural habitat.
This dhow is shared among other guests.
Shimoni is approximately 45 minutes from Diani and 1.5hours from Mombasa depending on traffic and time of day.
We booked two tours with Travel4purpose. One in Diani which was a sunset canoe ride through the mangroves and the other in Watamu which was a half day tour on a private Dhow to see the dolphins, snorkel and have a meal on an island. The tours were well planned and the information we needed was provided to us well in advance. It felt so easy.. all we had to do was show up and have a great experience. The best part of the tours are the amazing tour guides. They are full of energy and so knowledgeable. This really adds a special touch to the activity. Thanks for an amazing time 🙂
Our Watamu dhow tour with Travel4Purpose was an amazing experience, and I can only recommend it! The trip started in the morning, and we saw many dolphins – from there we went snorkeling, and finished with an amazing Swahili lunch. We had the dhow to ourselves. Everything was perfectly organized from the first moment, and you can feel the commitment of the whole team to create a unique experience! A must do when in Watamu 😊 thanks to everyone!
We had a very nice time on the overnight dhow boat experience organized by T4P. It was very relaxing and my friend and I had the whole boat to ourselves for the afternoon and overnight. The food was delicious. Shammi also gave us some great recommendations for Mombasa and the coast!
We spent an amazing day on the dhow that Sham arranged for us. The trip started at Lichthaus Watamu. First stop was an amazing snorkeling spot after which we went to a small island in the mide creek on which our chef served a super good lunch. After that we did an additionally paid kanoe ride through the mangrove forest (mida creek) which was so beautiful. All in all the trip was really perfect. Recommend it to everyone who’s visiting Watamu.
Amazing personalised experience! The hosts Omi and Fatema are a good company on the dhow. Shammi went an extra step to make our experience an amazing one!!! Really loved it
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