Historical note
Plenty has been written about the marine park, but there is some history here as well. The bay area that now makes up Kisite was used as a target shelling area by the British Navy. During the Second World War, HMS Ramilles was using Kisite Island and practiced with some of the largest shells in use in the navy, 15 inch shells.
Many of these shells were later retrieved by a white settler, Tito Lanyon, who picturesquely used them to line the entrance of his gate in Shimoni village. Visitors may gaze at them till today
The atoll of Kisite, (it’s not fair to call it an island really), surrounded by reefs and sand in the middle of the park made an ideal target, is now treeless, and I am sure this is not a co-incidence.
The Kisite Mpungutti Marine Park covers 39 sq.km on the southernmost part of the Kenyan coastline and is managed and protected by the Kenya Wildlife Service .The protection that KWS affords is essentially the reason that the park is such a success. There is no fishing in the park itself. Around the parks boundaries is a reserve limiting the type of fishing, so the protection is in a way enhanced by a barrier of self limiting fishing practices. Fisherman can count on the park to serve them as long as the boundaries are clear for all users .The community is still allowed to harness fish, so there is agreement that the park is not just a visitor’s privilege.
The Park and Reserve are both a paradise for marine life, water birds, boater’s snorkellers and divers alike. The water is refreshingly clean and extraordinarily clear. The shallow clear depths around the atolls make it very safe to swim long distances around the island
As you swim, the myriad of reef fish surrounding the coral life, all come alive around you. Kisite is truly a unique and fantastic snorkeling and day trip on the water and under it. Around the edge of the park are 2 other islands, inner and outer Pengutti. These are the favorite places to see dolphins, and dive. You can visit these islands and will probably be the only people on them that day. Divine privacy!
