Kenya

[FastPirate]

Hey guys, im new, im heading over to africa in febuary, and im going to be in nairobi kenya for about 3-6 months...does anyone have any suggestions on where to dive in africa while im there? anyone done anything interesting? any suggestions whatsohever would be helpful, because i truly know nothing about diving in africa, except that you can do whaleshark dives in kenya...thanx

 

[kilo_fox]

I don't know about Kenya, but just South of Kenya is Tanzania, and there is beautiful diving in Zanzibar and Pemba, two islands close to each other. I did my OW course and a couple of dives afterwards in Pemba and also a few dives then in ZNZ. There are daily, direct flights from NBO (Nairobi) to ZNZ, it takes only one hour and something, don't remember exactly.

I haven't dived there myself yet, but I heard from many sides that on the Northern part on Mozambique (South of Tanzania), there is also great diving, especially for the big stuff.

Enjoy your stay in Africa and happy diving!

PS: if you want to have the address of an excellent Sushi restaurant in NBO, let me know, then I'll get it for you, I don't have it in my head now....

 

[AndyT]

You can also try Tofo in Mozambique - great for Mantas and Whalesharks. Tofo scuba is the best charter to dive with there - http://www.tofoscuba.co.za/

 

[ianw2]

I grew up in Kenya at Eldoret and Nakuru. I haven't been back for over 40 years.

I remember the reefs at Malindi and north of Mombasa as being incredible. I learned to swim at Malindi. I also remember a terrific villa my parents rented once at Lamu, further up the coast.

Your post got me thinking...

I tracked down these sites:

http://www.peponidivers.ch/english/indexgb.html

http://www.divingthecrab.com/

http://www.dianimarine.com/

http://www.buccaneerdiving.com/

http://www.sportextreme.com/phdico2001/

http://www.diveinkenya.com/index.htm

I don't know anything about any of these. I remember diving on hooka rigs at one of the reefs. I don't remember the shop, but I dived with my Dad 44 years ago and I remember it vividly.

Say Jambo for me if you manage to get any dives in in Kenya, and, PLEASE post a report!

 

[FastPirate]

I will

 

[Christian]

You should be able to reach Pemba Island, Tanzania from Shimoni just south of Mombasa, Kenya with a boatride. The owner of the Shimoni Reef Lodge in Kenya is also the owner of the Manta Reef Lodge on Pemba. Pemba has excellent diving with great diversity on both coral and fish, lots of schooling fish, both reef fish and pelagic. Big walls tumbeling down to great depths. Not common to see whalesharks out there though, as they tend to move along the coast. Sometimes mantas, but they have unfortunatelly diminished in numbers. Probably due to local fishing.

/christian

 

[Blobby]

We've just had a short break on the coast in Watamu (near Malindi) and went diving with aqua ventures http://www.diveinkenya.com/index.htm
Can highly recommend them - well maintained kit, thorough safety brief and generally well organised and friendly bunch. Diving within the reef is at around 10-15ms, some great variety of fish there. Didn't get to go deeper outside the reef as it was a bit rough, but I hear it's good.

Let us know how you get on

 

[bluering]

I was there awhile back, military/government stuff. Did not have much time for pleasure diving however, went to the reefs north of Mombasa for some R&R. I stayed with the Masi (really kool people) remember a few things while you are there. Keep your passport handy, Wear a glove and don't let the taxi drivers talk you into anything stupid!

 

[levavie]

From Nairobi you could get a quick flight to Mombasa or Malindi for around $50, these would be the best for a short weekend. There are many sites to dive, depending on what you want to see ... you can see some pics that I have taken from the Mombasa area most of which have been in the lagoon (Diving Mombasa - not a well maintained site, rarely have time to write anything) . Around February it should be possible to spot whalesharks and mantas. Better to begin your diving as soon as you get to Kenya because from around June to August the conditions might not be ideal for outside the reef dives ... lagoon dives would be ok.

Zanzibar and Pemba are also good diving destinations and not far (less than 2hrs from Nairobi - flight)

 

[rugo]

You can find informations for diving in Malindi or Watamu visiting Blue Fin Diving : Malindi - Watamu Scuba Diving Center, Kenya