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Kenya

© Shutterstock/Thammanoon Khamchalee

Explore Kenya

Kenya's underwater world is as mesmerizing as its famed savannahs. Diving along the country's coast offers a unique experience, revealing vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, and historic shipwrecks. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide excellent conditions for both novice and experienced divers, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet. Popular dive spots include Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Watamu Marine Park, where divers can explore the rich biodiversity of the reefs and encounter species like sea turtles, reef sharks, and an astonishing variety of colorful fish.

Liveaboard trips and boat dives are common, allowing divers to explore more remote sites, while shore dives offer easy access to beautiful underwater landscapes. Seasonal changes bring diverse marine life, such as the migration of whale sharks, making each dive a unique adventure. Kenya's diving scene is not just about the marine ecosystem; it also includes a blend of cultural encounters with coastal communities, adding depth to the overall experience. Whether you're drifting along coral gardens or exploring a sunken wreck, diving in Kenya provides an unforgettable journey into the heart of the ocean.

Power Plug Type
G
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff & Guides / Tipping is expected in restaurants, hotels, and tours; amount may vary based on service quality
Airports
NBO, MBA
Currency
KES
Dial Code
+254
Electricity
240 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+3

Places to explore

Courses and Events

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Kenya

Kenya's marine ecosystems, particularly along the Indian Ocean coastline, are rich with diverse marine life. Common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish populate the vibrant coral reefs, offering divers a colorful underwater spectacle year-round. These species are abundant and can be seen in popular diving spots like Watamu and Malindi Marine Parks.

Seasonal highlights include the migration of whale sharks, primarily sighted from November to March. Green and hawksbill turtles are also commonly encountered, especially around designated conservation areas like the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve. Additionally, manta rays and various types of reef sharks can be seen at certain times of the year, enhancing the diving experience. Being aware of these seasonal patterns increases the likelihood of encountering these majestic creatures.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

697 Sightings
J
78
F
67
M
113
A
82
M
2
J
4
J
21
A
41
S
49
O
56
N
75
D
109

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

425 Sightings
J
52
F
45
M
104
A
31
M
2
J
4
J
7
A
12
S
20
O
33
N
58
D
57

Hawksbill Turtle

402 Sightings
J
45
F
35
M
61
A
52
M
2
J
12
J
11
A
8
S
25
O
28
N
52
D
71

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

210 Sightings
J
23
F
23
M
53
A
14
M
0
J
1
J
4
A
4
S
19
O
16
N
30
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

72 Sightings
J
13
F
16
M
15
A
6
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
0
N
5
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

63 Sightings
J
14
F
16
M
20
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
6
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

390 Sightings
J
47
F
51
M
88
A
40
M
3
J
5
J
5
A
11
S
11
O
30
N
41
D
58

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

370 Sightings
J
49
F
47
M
99
A
33
M
1
J
3
J
8
A
18
S
21
O
28
N
34
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

317 Sightings
J
57
F
56
M
76
A
27
M
1
J
3
J
5
A
12
S
10
O
20
N
19
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

297 Sightings
J
40
F
47
M
67
A
24
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
10
S
11
O
17
N
33
D
44

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

293 Sightings
J
52
F
42
M
61
A
24
M
2
J
2
J
3
A
14
S
10
O
23
N
30
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

263 Sightings
J
38
F
44
M
75
A
16
M
1
J
3
J
2
A
5
S
11
O
18
N
21
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

243 Sightings
J
29
F
46
M
66
A
19
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
10
S
14
O
21
N
15
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

221 Sightings
J
34
F
20
M
43
A
20
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
13
S
10
O
23
N
23
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

221 Sightings
J
33
F
38
M
57
A
15
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
10
S
6
O
12
N
9
D
38

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

214 Sightings
J
33
F
28
M
44
A
22
M
3
J
1
J
6
A
8
S
14
O
11
N
20
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

199 Sightings
J
35
F
15
M
40
A
10
M
0
J
4
J
6
A
7
S
14
O
11
N
11
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

190 Sightings
J
27
F
33
M
40
A
15
M
0
J
5
J
6
A
15
S
13
O
10
N
14
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

176 Sightings
J
28
F
24
M
43
A
7
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
4
S
6
O
10
N
35
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

170 Sightings
J
28
F
30
M
40
A
11
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
5
S
5
O
14
N
13
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

169 Sightings
J
23
F
20
M
47
A
12
M
1
J
1
J
2
A
9
S
6
O
18
N
10
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

162 Sightings
J
33
F
25
M
37
A
11
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
11
S
8
O
5
N
16
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

159 Sightings
J
20
F
25
M
55
A
12
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
10
O
14
N
7
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

120 Sightings
J
17
F
34
M
37
A
5
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
3
O
7
N
4
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

95 Sightings
J
13
F
12
M
36
A
5
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
5
S
1
O
8
N
5
D
7

Leaf Scorpionfish

83 Sightings
J
13
F
21
M
12
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
6
S
4
O
4
N
10
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

79 Sightings
J
19
F
10
M
23
A
4
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
2
S
6
O
4
N
2
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

78 Sightings
J
7
F
17
M
38
A
5
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
4
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

63 Sightings
J
15
F
8
M
12
A
6
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
3
O
4
N
7
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Snake Eel

62 Sightings
J
16
F
4
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
1
O
4
N
5
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

59 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
10
A
5
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
6
N
20
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

58 Sightings
J
11
F
10
M
13
A
10
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
3
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

57 Sightings
J
16
F
11
M
9
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
3
N
5
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

55 Sightings
J
11
F
3
M
13
A
7
M
1
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
5
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

51 Sightings
J
12
F
7
M
19
A
7
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
2
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

47 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
20
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

40 Sightings
J
10
F
8
M
17
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
0