Palm-covered island with thatched buildings and a dhow moored off the Kenyan coast

Nobu / Kenya

Wasini & Funzi.

Two islands with no roads, where the day is set by the tide and told by the dhow.

Start your Wasini & Funzi journey

YOUR AFRICA, BEAUTIFULLY TOLD.

Travel stylePrivate & tailor-made

Start withYour dates and interests

Suggested paceFewer stops, more time

Your next stepA conversation with Nobu

The Nobu perspective

Wasini & Funzi,
at your pace.

Wasini and Funzi are car-free islands off Kenya's far south coast, reached by boat through mangrove channels and shifting tides. Working Swahili villages, sandbanks and access to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park create a slower journey shaped by dhows, coral and the sea.

On Wasini, footpaths link coral-rag homes, a village mosque and tidal gardens; around Funzi, mangrove creeks open towards a sandbank that appears and disappears with the water. Neither island follows a road-bound rhythm.

Dhow days can add reef snorkelling, dolphins and a barefoot sandbank stop, but the ocean sets the schedule. Community visits require respectful local guidance, while crossings and marine activities depend on tides, weather and park rules.

WASINI & FUNZI

Accessible reef for first-timers and richer sites for certified divers, all within the protected water.

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When to go

Best time to visit

Start with the season that suits the journey you want, then confirm conditions for your exact route.

A closer look at Wasini & Funzi

Jul / Individual planning

Your dates, your route

Start with your preferred month. Your designer will help match the season, chosen stays and connections to your route, interests and preferred pace.

December to March

The drier seasons

December to March usually brings calm, clear seas and stronger underwater visibility for Kisite-Mpunguti trips. June to October is cooler and breezier but remains usable, with greener mangroves and fewer visitors. Wildlife movement and sightings are not guaranteed.

April and May

The long rains

April and May bring the heaviest long rains and rougher water, when some marine trips may pause. Sandbanks, coral gardens and crossings also follow daily tides, so even dry-season plans must be shaped around current water and weather conditions.

3 places to stay

Where to stay

Compare the selection by style.

3 stays · All stays

Expedition
Wasini & Funzi / Kenya
Blue Monkey Beach Cottages
villa · beachfront
From USD 20per person per night · indicative
Enquire about this stay
Expedition
Wasini & Funzi / Kenya
Wasini Island Bandas
lodge · beachfront
From USD 20per person per night · indicative
Enquire about this stay
Elevated
Wasini & Funzi / Kenya
The Funzi Keys
lodge · beachfront
From USD 250per person per night · indicative
Enquire about this stay

Good to know

Know before you go

Getting there

Road and air connections depend on the wider route and current operations. Nobu confirms the suitable connection for your dates before approval.

Fees and permissions

Park, conservancy, community, activity or permit rules may apply. Nobu confirms the operative permissions and current fees in the approved quote.

Time and pace

The right stay depends on season, interests and onward routing. Nobu will recommend a pace for the individual journey rather than promise a fixed transfer or duration.

Kenya marine park fees and access

Good questions. Straight answers.

Where are Wasini and Funzi islands?

On Kenya's far south coast near the Tanzanian border, reached only by boat — Wasini from the town of Shimoni, and Funzi from the Ramisi estuary. Neither island has roads or cars.

Can you see dolphins at Wasini?

Yes. The waters of the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park off Wasini are among Kenya's most reliable for wild bottlenose and humpback dolphins, often seen alongside the dhow, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Is Wasini or Funzi good for snorkelling?

Suitability depends on the individual traveller, vehicle, stay and activity. Share your access needs early so Nobu can check each proposed part of the journey before approval.

How do you get to Wasini and Funzi?

Fly to Ukunda (Diani) or Mombasa, transfer by road to Shimoni or the Funzi jetty, then cross by boat. There is no vehicle access on the islands themselves.

How many nights do you need on the islands?

Two to three nights suits this slow, tide-led stay; many travellers pair it with Diani or Msambweni, or with a safari for a bush-and-beach journey.

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