NYULLI REEF
Average depth: Top of the reef at 20m down to 30m+
Average visibility: 15-40m
The coral formations are spectacular. Nyulli reef falls outside the marine parks.
Conditions: The best time to dive this reef is on the turn of the tide when the current should be much less noticeable. For experienced divers only as there is often a strong current present. If you are experienced and wish to dive Nyulli please advise us at the time of booking, and we will confirm back to you as conditions are sometimes not suitable, and for us safety comes first.
Kenya's best reef for larger predatory pelagics. An exciting deep dive where the reef begins at 27 metres. Even at depth, beautiful colours and varieties of coral and nudibranchs. Large shoals of barracuda, trevally, blue striped snapper. Seasonal white tip reef sharks, leopard sharks, Napoleon wrasse, shovel nose rays and huge groupers. A must to do more than once!
The reef, which runs in a north easterly direction, rises to a depth of 20m and drops sharply to depths approaching 50m. The coral formations on the steeply inclined wall are spectacular, and gorgonian fan corals and coral whips adorn the deeper sections of the wall. Nyulli reef offers a large selection of big pelagic fish and giant groupers (Epinephelus lanceolatus) which often exceed 2m in length, frequent the walls.
Gigantic shoals of five-lined snappers ( Lutjanus bengalensis) & the more common bluelined snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) appear everywhere and seem to almost envelope divers, whilst the less common black spotted sweetlips ( Plectorhinchus gaterinus) are also seen, Moray eels and lion fish inhabit the coral growths against the spectacular background of the drop. Barracuda often school together to form compact reflecting walls of silver, and big Napoleon wrasse are frequently sighted. Reef sharks are also common visitors to the deeper sections of the reef, and large zebra sharks ( Stegostoma fasciatum) have been seen here.
SECRET POINT
Average depth: Top of the reef at 10m down to 20m+
Average visibility: 15-40m. Secret point is a newly discovered dive site and falls outside the marine parks.
The best time to dive this reef, same as Nyulli and again for experienced divers only is on the turn of the tide when the current should be much less noticeable. A good second dive to follow Nyulli. Interesting coral formations and the chance to again see many pelagic fish including giant groupers.
CORAL GARDENS ( PINK REEF)
snorkelling possible & very good at low tide
Average depth: 10-17m
Average visibility: 10-30m
This reef, diveable by all, is generally clear and calm and is one of the dive-sites we can dive during the rainy season making diving with us a year round possibility. There is a wonderful flower garden of pink & lavender soft corals. A pretty reef - hundreds of rain-bow coloured anthias, goldies, angelfish and butterfly fish paint a kaleidoscope of contrasting colours against the backdrop of the breathtaking lavender, blue, pink and purple coral formations. Great for underwater photographers. White tipped sharks are common visitors. Brightly coloured ribbon ells are often seen rising out of the sand beside the reef. Turtles and dolphins are often visitors to this and also the other dive-sites. Giant sweetlips hover above the corals, often accompanied by four-striped yellow snappers.
CAPTAIN HASSAN'S REEF
Average depth: 10-16m
Average visibility: 10-30m
An extension to Coral Gardens ( Pink Reef ) the coral formations are often inhabited by exquisitely contrasting orange fairy damselfish. This reef is very scenic and is ideal for a relaxed and very easy dive - comparable to a Sunday afternoon ramble.
DOLPHIN POINT
Average depth: 10-12m
Average visibility: 10-30m
Playful dolphins often put in an appearance here, and many lucky divers have spent exhilarating moments at Dolphin Point. This is a fringing reef on the Eastern side of the uninhabited Mpunguti Island, where bigeyes and squirrelfish abound at the higher side of the reef. A good opportunity to see many loinfish. Here you may see many rays.
CHOP SUEY REEF
Average depth: 8-12m
Average visibility: 10-30m
A great site for novice divers and also as a drift-dive. Lion fish & stone fish are often seen. Also a possibility as a good night dive site.
KISITE POINT
Average depth: 12m-14m
Average visibility: 10-20m
A large number of extremely tame fish of every imaginable tropical variety as well as good coral formations. A superb reef. There are large holes around the eastern point under the coral cliff where lobster and giant rock Big surgeonfish and unicorns are almost always present, and some very big snappers & cod hide. Over the last couple of years most divers have been joined by hawksbill turtles and sometimes bottlenose dolphins. Look out for these playful friends - a highlight of every diver's life.
OUTER KISITE
Average depth: 10-14m
Average visibility: 10-30m
Again the marine life here, in the centre of the marine park is tame and abundant. Towards one end of the reef the coral formations are large and quite spectacular. Usually many turtles, some extremely large are present. White tipped and sand sharks are seen resting amongst the larger corals, and extremely large moray eels inhabit some of the isolated coral outcrops. There are some beautiful hard corals particularly large plate corals. This is an ideal, prolonged drift dive.
INNER KISITE
Average depth: 6-10m
Average visibility: 10-30m
A well deserved 4 star rating even although serious divers may scoff at the depth. The huge, tame and very approachable parrot fish are there for a great photo opportunity. There are also many leopard morays - often as many as three morays can be found together. We use this site as our main snorkelling site and also for our first open water dive for our novice divers and fun-divers. It's long and varied and very, very interesting.
MAKAKOKWE REEF
Average depth: 8-12m
Average visibility: 10-30m
A dive you can only do with us if you stay overnight. We set off early so that you can enjoy the almost guaranteed dolphins playing in the early morning. We have increased Anton's ratings by 1 star. Originally a reef attacked by star of thorns starfish & indiscriminate dynamiting which was controlled and stopped a number of years ago, it is now a wonderful example of rejuvenating young corals. There are often many unicorn fish and schools of yellow snappers.
KITUNGAMWE
A seasonal spot only dived by us because of it's close proximity to Tanzania. A thoroughly enjoyable, varied day out with fishing, picnic on the boat and diving or snorkelling withcreatures that rarely see people. Depths vary from as shallow as you like to as deep as you are prepared to go.
HASSAN REEF
Maximum depth 16m The coral cover is delicate and unspoilt. Strikingly beautiful lilac-blue soft corals are to be found along most of the reef's length. The coral formations on Hassan reef ore often inhabited by exquisitely contrasting orangefairy damselfish. Turtles have been spotted resting among the coral growths, and brightly coloured angelfish and surgeonfish abound. Further to the west are isolated coral heads that attract bigger fish, such as inquisitive jacks (caranx) and some large sweetlips.
