Scuba Diving in Kenya

CREDIT: Polly Philipson

Start planning your next dive trip! Today you will learn about diving in Kenya.

PART 1: OVERVIEW OF SCUBA DIVING IN KENYA

Kenya, officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is located in East Africa. It is bordered by five countries - Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The Indian Ocean lies on the southeast coast, and this is where all the scuba diving activities and associated resorts are. The country is named after Mount Kenya, which is the second highest mountain in Africa, after Kilimanjaro.

Kenya has 33 Wildlife Service Parks and Reserves. Five of these are designated Marine National Parks or Reserves - Mombasa, Watamu, Kisite, Kiunga, and Malindi. These are the main areas for scuba diving, and many dive operators are based in each of these areas. Kilifi is another popular diving area.

The coral reefs are in spectacular condition with thriving eco-systems and a huge diversity of fish and marine creatures. Visiting divers should expect to see larger species of marine life, such as whale sharks (in season), manta rays, green sea turtles, dolphins, and reef sharks. Grouper, barracuda, and morays are common; macro life such as seahorses, leaf scorpion fish, and rare crustaceans make great photography subjects.

To complement the fascinating reefs, there are some super wreck and cave dives too. Don't miss diving the purpose-sunk MV Dania; sitting upright between 12-32 meters, she is swarming with life. The Vuma Caverns are a must-do advanced dive, exploring the shallow caves, where divers have the chance to see large fish such as sharks, turtles, and groupers.

Scuba diving is a year-round activity in Kenya, and visibility reaches up to 30 meters; be aware that during July-August the visibility may be reduced, due to windy sea conditions. Generally, October-February is considered to be the best time to visit for diving. Water temperatures range from 23 Celsius to 28 Celsius, with the coolest times being June-September; a 3mm exposure suit is adequate protection for most.

The climate along the coastline is hot and tropical, with air temperatures ranging from 25 Celsius to 32 Celsius, depending on the season. Rain should be expected along the coastline; however, further inland the climate becomes more arid with a high possibility of droughts. The two rainy seasons are April-May and October-November. High altitude mountains have snow-capped peaks, and the temperatures here differ dramatically. Although Kenya lies on the equator, the seasons follow the patterns of the southern hemisphere.

PART 2: DIVE SITES, MARINE LIFE & ENVIRONMENT IN KENYA

The Indian Ocean is teeming with healthy corals, large pelagics, and reef fish galore. The vibrant underwater world, protected by the five designated Marine National Parks, will please divers of all experience levels. Mombasa, Watamu, Kisite, Kiunga, and Malindi offer a wide variation of stunning reef diving.

A top-rated dive site to visit is the MV Dania. She was a cargo vessel, built in Norway in 1965, and used predominantly as a livestock carrier. Decommissioned in 2001, Buccaneer Diving requested she be stripped and used as an artificial reef in Kenya. By 2002, she was ready to be laid to rest, and was sunk perfectly upright on a sandy seabed, in 30 meters of water. Tiny blennies and sponges have now claimed her as their home; morays, barracuda, and large groupers use the ship as a hunting ground. Schooling fish patrol her bridge and impressive upper deck.

There is a selection of other wreck sites along the coast; the MFV Funguo, the Globe Star, Mida Wreck, and the Lighter, which sit at various depths from 8 meters to 30 meters. Kilifi Creek is also home to two wrecks - a freighter and a ferry.

The Vuma Caverns or Caves are one of the best places in Kenya to see whale sharks during the season. Not to mention the dolphins too! Descending beneath towering cliffs, to a depth of 20 meters, divers swim along a portion of reef before entering the cave system. Look into the blue for barracudas and rays.

Scuba divers with advanced experience are allowed to explore inside the stunning caverns. Large groupers and snapper lurk in the dark recesses of the caves and tunnels, and the discovery of smaller creatures such as nudibranchs and cowries is always a delight. A chimney formation leads divers back up to the top of the reef at 10 meters. The caves are situated near Kilifi Creek, outside from Watamu.

The Pinnacles is a great advanced deep dive, located north of the Mombasa Marine Reserve. Large fish are frequent visitors at this site; take your pick of manta rays, spotted eagle rays, sharks, napoleon wrasse, giant groupers, and barracudas. Flatworms and nudibranchs satisfy the critter lovers too.

Novice divers, underwater photographers, and experienced divers will enjoy drift diving along the myriad of coral reef systems. Divers keep coming back to Kenya, thanks to the abundance of amazing sites to visit.

PART 3: DIVE SHOPS, AIRPORTS & LOGISTICS OF DIVING IN KENYA

Dive operators are spread out along Kenya's coast of the Indian Ocean; these range from PADI 5 Star IDC Centers to SSI and BSAC Dive Resorts. Many of the larger operators have bases at more than one hotel or location. Enriched Air Nitrox is available at the larger resorts. It is recommended to contact your chosen dive center before traveling, to make sure they meet all of your vacation diving requirements.

Buccaneer Diving is East Africa's multi-award winning PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center. They run daily guided diving excursions - three sites per day - that visit dive sites both inside and outside the lagoon (reef) area in Mombasa. Photographic equipment is available for rent, with an editing room at the Voyager Hotel site. All of their boats are custom-built with shaded areas and the latest safety/emergency equipment. Boats have two captains on board. Dive groups are split into small teams, which are always guided by PADI professionals.

Buccaneer is the largest dive operator in Kenya, and has been in business for over 20 years; this is reflected in their impeccable reputation. All PADI courses are conducted from beginner up to instructor levels. They have bases at Voyager Hotel, Whitesands Hotel, and Sun 'n' Sand Hotel. Booking offices are also located at Lesoleil, The Reef Hotel, and Mombasa Beach Hotel.

Diving the Crab is a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Resort, SSI Platinum Center, and BSAC Resort Center. This center was established in 1985, and is highly recommended for customer service and professionalism. Diving the Crab has a number of bases at Southern Palms, Ocean Village Club, Kole Kole Boutique Hotel, Maridadi Boutique Hotel, Jadini Hotel, Baobab Hotel, Safari Hotel, and Chale Island. Their main HQ is on Diani Beach, 30km south of Mombasa Island.

A full-service dive center, Diving the Crab offers all PADI and SSI courses; starting from beginner and going up to professional Dive master. Daily-guided diving tours are offered on their fleet of custom dive boats. With a large instructor and dive master team, they are versatile, and can offer a range of diving to suit all experience and comfort levels.

Mombasa or Moi International Airport (MBA) is the second largest airport in Kenya. It serves the Indian Ocean coastal region and is the main hub for visitors coming to the area. There are many domestic airports throughout the country for interior travel

Written by Polly Philipson

WHY DO DIVERS JOIN DAN?

DAN members have a passion for the water, a quest for knowledge and love of community. They love being part of something bigger. You can join nearly 500,000 divers worldwide and experience valuable benefits to make you a safer, smarter diver.

Divers Alert Network (DAN) is the world’s most recognised and respected dive safety organisation comprised of dive professionals and medical experts dedicated to supporting divers. Through research, medical services, educational programs and global response initiatives

For over 20-years, DAN has created an extensive network capable of providing divers around the world with vital services. Everyday divers rely upon DAN for dive safety information and health guidance. They know that in event of emergency, we’ll be there for them - no matter where adventure takes them.

For over 20-years DAN has been helping divers and we will continue to cultivate a culture of dive safety! Join DAN today and be part of the largest dive safety community.

THREE REASONS WHY PEOPLE JOIN DAN?

CALL & ASSIST

Most divers realise that diving is an adventure sport that may result in injuries as such they want the peace of mind that, in case of a diving emergency, there is a 24-hour hotline to call with membership benefits for the medical services they will need.

COST SAVING

DAN membership is not expensive by most standards. Diving medical advice is offered free of charge and is available 24/7/365. Membership benefits are secondary to any primary medical insurance and include diving medical and travel related cover that are also extremely affordable and very competitive. DAN members also have access to discounts on safety and educational materials.

CULTURE OF CARE

Many divers like being part of an organisation that is so obviously committed towards their safety. Apart from being available as a diving emergency and diving-medical-information line, DAN is always actively campaigning for safety, initiating and supporting safety initiatives, and finding practical ways to make diving safer and more enjoyable.

DAN is a very personal organisation. Callers quickly learn that DAN is not an “institution”; it is a living and vibrant organisation. In many ways, DAN members feel that they are becoming part of a “family” who look out for one another “divers helping divers” as we always like to say.

So, many divers just seem to like the idea of being part of something worthwhile and they are willing to give up some of their discretionary income to be a part of it.

That being said, it is also common knowledge that DAN offers top-rated services and has an exceptional network of experienced diving medical professionals. One call to the DAN hotline and divers find themselves talking to a professional diving doctor who “speaks their language”. This is truly something special. With access to so many likeminded people, DAN is able to arrange evacuation by land, sea or sky if required and help injured divers gain access to specialised medical treatment facilities such as recompression chambers.

In a nutshell! DAN members help support a 24-hour hotline. This hotline offers access to specialists trained in diving medicine and is freely available to members with a diving-related query. The DAN hotline can be called 24/7/365 by a member worldwide in the event of a dive emergency. DAN membership subscription contributes towards the 24-hour emergency and information line. The emergency and diving-medical-information line is freely available to DAN members. So members can call for medical advice on any topic to do with diving or ask to be referred to a health professional knowledgeable in diving medicine.

SO WHY JOIN DAN?

When you support DAN, you support the organisation’s ongoing efforts to reduce dive injuries and improve first response and medical treatment. One hundred percent of DAN’s profits are reinvested in research, medical services and programs that make diving safer for all divers. As a diver, you need DAN and DAN needs you.

DAN offers comprehensive plans that provide protection and peace-of-mind in the event of a dive accident for far less than the cost of an unplanned event.

DAN’s dive accident cover plans are recognised worldwide providing secondary coverage of up to R800,000 and paying 100% of eligible expenses.

DAN DIVE COVER VS. MEDICAL INSURANCE

It is true that some medical insurance include cover for diving injuries. However, divers who have tried to go this route soon discover that it is not easy to work with a medical insurance when trying to organise an emergency evacuation for a diving injury. That is simply not the time to discover that your medical insurance is not able to assist you in getting the most appropriate treatment or advice. Their convenient 0800 toll-free number doesn’t work in Zanzibar and even in South Africa, working your way through a multi-prompt menu from a cell phone is not what you need in a crisis. Also, getting documented authorisations takes time and nearly all private emergency service providers now insist on a written Guarantee of Payment (GOP) before responding. That is not surprising given that most aeromedical evacuations in Africa come in at R200 000 or more and even evacuations by ambulance approach R20 000 plus when advanced life support services are involved. Evacuations are costly. Recompression, on the other hand, is not that expensive in Africa. In the rest of the World, it may set you back about R100 000, but in South Africa the cost is usually under R20 000 unless multiple treatments are needed. However, if evacuation and hospitalisation are called for, the costs can be very high.

As a DAN member, all these concerns disappear. One number and you have all the help and cover you need for a diving emergency. The travel and medical benefits are an added bonus, but don’t tear up your medical insurance card just yet. So, should a diver have a medical insurance or be a DAN member? A diver should have both!

WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU JOIN DAN?

• Medical Dive Accident - Up to R800,000
• Cover Evacuation - Real Expenses
• Assistance International Non-Diving - Up to R800,000
• Cover Personal Liability - Up to R2,000,000
• Depth Limit - 40 meters
• Cover for freedivers & spearfishermen