Adventure
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Dhow trips

Dhow / jahazi

Pilipipa dhow - South coast

It's the third day of our filming trip and it should be even more thrilling because I plan to engage in some water activity. Today I will be going for a full-day dhow excursion, along with other guests from different hotels. This experience is offered at an extra cost.

We drive down the Ukunda-Lunga Lunga road to Shimoni, a little village from where the Pilli-Pipa Dolphin Safaris crew takes charge. It's 8:30a.m. as we leave the jetty to board the Arab-styled dhow christened Monsoon anchored offshore. The trip prides itself on limiting the number of guests so as to protect the fragile marine environment and to provide unrivalled personal service, and sure enough as soon as we are seated a welcome beverage and biscuits are offered by the friendly smiling crew.

 It is mid-year, sometimes called the monsoon season here, and the sea is rougher than at any other time of year. Nevertheless it's nice to sail out past the islands and walls of coral into the open sea, no inhibitions present. The sun slowly but surely reveals itself as our guide Yatin takes us through introductions and the itinerary. Sailing to the Kisite-Mpunguti marine park takes about 45 minutes, and for some (including myself) the rough waves prove too much causing seasickness. Well it's only natural for many people who are not used to sailing, but once we get to the calmer waters of the park our hopes are raised at the prospect of swimming with dolphins.

As Kisite island draws near a couple of guests who have signed up for the more specialized scuba diving plunge into the ocean depths with their guide.

The larger group opts for snorkelling in the reef's shallower waters. Depending on your level of experience and confidence in the sea, you may or may not have to wear a life jacket while snorkeling. The rest of the gear includes flippers and goggles with a breathing tube. The more confident swimmers jump in without any life jackets. The weaker and non-swimmers wear life jackets and a crew member is on hand to patiently guide us with a life ring in our swim over the reef. Other companies in the south coast also offer similar dhow safaris, but when you book make sure to enquire as to whether they offer guided snorkeling. It's much more fun this way, as Pilli Pipa do it, because the guides constantly inform the guests about types of fish and interesting coral formations throughout the swim.

Over 350 species of vibrantly coloured tropical fish reside here, and if you are lucky dolphins will come and join you. Unfortunately no such luck for us today, although we are informed that they play here often. Nevertheless we still enjoy snorkeling for almost a full hour non-stop.

Once done we are fed on home baked ‘pizza' bread and fruit, with more refreshments to make up for our used-up energy. We then head back towards Wasini island, which is directly opposite the mainland and Shimoni.

As we near the island our approach is announced in quite an authentic manner by the skipper who blows through a shell. The tide is out as we walk up to the lounge and gardens of the restaurant overlooking the ocean. Drinks are offered as charming Swahili ladies serve a variety of foods ranging from seafood to delicious chicken, including some original Swahili dishes that I have never tasted before. After the satisfying snorkeling sessions it's now all about enjoying some good company and great tasting food in the fresh sea air blowing in over the cliffs.

After the sumptuous lunch and relaxation we head back to our dhow for the return journey to Diani beach. The crew demonstrates the old age method of navigating by sail and after some great effort of raising the heavy pole, we are under the great white sail drifting in the wind.

For the option of spending the night aboard a dhow with deep sea fishing and diving included on Full Board, visit our Watersports page.

Mida Creek trip courtesy of Turtle Bay Beach Club

It's another day at the coast, this time we travel during the hot season. Kenya's first all-inclusive resort, the Turtle Bay Beach Club, plays our host in Watamu. It's hot and humid so what better way to cool off than to take to the inviting waters of the Indian Ocean.

Accompanied by a group of energetic friends we don makuti hats that are specially given to all visitors. Transport is provided by the hotel for this special dhow trip on Mida Creek that's given to returning guests on their 4th visit and above. We drive to the jetty where the dhow crew is waiting to adorn us with wreaths of the wonderfully scented Frangipani flowers that grow abundantly here. Both the sitting areas are covered so as to shield you from the hot sun, and as soon as we settle down some ice cold ‘dawa' is presented as a welcome drink.

The dhow is powered by an engine, the captain handling it expertly as we slice through the calm waters of the creek, the Kenyan flag billowing in the breeze. We eagerly dig into the snacks and bitings offered. On-board cooks make sure we have fresh, hot bitings like meat with sesame seeds and chicken legs, plus cold marinated cucumber and carrot bits. The setting is just too nice! Need a relaxing spell? - this is it. Good company, great food, and nature all around, uninterrupted…

The surroundings are rich in birdlife and mangrove trees. Make sure you're well-armed with a pair of binoculars. Mida Creek has actually become a major place of interest for environmentalists and researchers. As the cheerful waiters continue to serve us we head for Sudi Island, where tourists usually stop over to have lunch. Soft drinks are provided within the package, together with seafood like lobsters and fish. So dig your feet into the warm sand and enjoy yourself before it's time to head back to the Club.

Related links:-

• Water sports
• Group adventure....white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling

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