Pilli Pippa dhow excursion

One of our guest's favourite trips is aboard the Pilli Pippa Dhow, a day trip that takes you from to the Wasini Marine Park to snorkel on the sand bank that only appears at low tide.

Another early breakfast as you will be collected from Pinewood at 6:45am and driven to Shimoni, the place of the cave (Shimo in Swahili). The coral caves at Shimoni are said to have been used for holding slaves prior to shipment. On the drive south you pass by sleepy little villages including Gazi, once the headquarters of the Mazrui leader Sheikh bin Rashid, who led an uprising against British authority in 1895 and acquired a reputation for half suffocating prisoners in the fumes of burning chillies. On the way we pass ancient coral beds that form the coastline around Galu beach.

At Shimoni jetty you board the Pilli-Pippa, a traditional Arab Dhow for a welcome tea, coffee and biscuits and tour briefing. Marine guides accompany guests along the coral reef, pointing out items of interest. It is within the Kisite Park that one can snorkel amongst a bewildering variety of marine life comprising a unique ecosystem "a garden under the sea".

This Arab sailed dugout is typical of the type of craft favoured by local fishermen, who sail out far distances to catch fish. With our sister ship we slowly follow a school of dolphins playfully keeping ahead of us.

As we near the sand bank the water noticeably changes colour, as the coral formations start to appear in the swallowing waters. All equipment is provide for snorkellers to enjoy the multitude of fish to be found here, and flotation rings are provided for non swimmers, so nobody needs to miss out. The sand bank is plenty big enough to walk around and enjoy the beach, and the slope is slight enough to be able to see the fish while standing in the shallows.

The variety and abundance of fish is astounding. Blue striped snappers, Ehrenburg snappers and sweet lips with their prominent yellow colouring, and families of up to eighty parrot fish, mainly blue in colour can be seen passing through these shallow waters feeding on the coral with loud crunching noises. Dolphins are a common sight, playing around the dhows and leading the way. It is sometimes possible to swim with them. Protected within the Marine Park are the spotted and indo-pacific Humpback Dolphins. Chilled sodas and fresh fruit await snorkellers after their swim. Snorkelling at two sites, numbers are limited to minimize the impact on Kisite's fragile marine environment. Snorkelling is followed by the exhilarating experience of a dhow under sail, weather permitting.

All drinks on board are complimentary, and kept cool in our cool box ready to refresh you after your snorkel trip

A short journey away from the sand bank we take lunch in the grounds of our house, a delicious mixture of vegetables, fish and meat, and our girls bring each dish in and describe it's contents.

The Al-fresco lunch with wine, beer and soft-drinks all included, is served on the water's edge overlooking the channel. Try some of our Citronella Tea made from fresh lemon grass grown on the Island.

Copious amount of local delicacies, combined with good company and refreshing drinks make for a great finish to a fine day's adventures!