South Coast
Shimoni Transfers & Travel Guide
Shimoni is the fishing village near the Tanzanian border where dhow trips leave for Wasini Island and the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, and where deep-sea fishing boats are based.
- From Moi Airport
- 1h15–1h45
- From SGR
- 1h15–1h45
- Region
- South Coast
- Distance from MBA
- ≈ 85 km
Getting to Shimoni
The drive continues past Diani and Msambweni on the South Coast road, then turns off towards the coast for the final stretch into Shimoni.
On the way you pass Dongo Kundu bypass, Ukunda and Msambweni.
Where visitors stay
Most visitors come on a day trip from Diani. For overnight stays there are a few small lodges in Shimoni, including the Pemba Channel Fishing Club, and guesthouses on Wasini Island.
Things to do in Shimoni
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park: Snorkelling reefs and frequent dolphin sightings on dhow trips.
Wasini Island: Car-free island with a community-run boardwalk over fossil coral gardens and well-known seafood lunches.
Shimoni Caves: Coastal caves used as holding pens during the eighteenth-century slave trade.
Pemba Channel: Deep-sea fishing grounds; marlin season runs roughly December to mid-March.
Local tip
Dhow trips leave early. For a Diani pickup we usually collect you between 07:00 and 08:00.
Transfers to and from Shimoni
| Service | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Moi International Airport → Shimoni | 1h15–1h45 |
| Mombasa SGR (Miritini) → Shimoni | 1h15–1h45 |
| Shimoni ↔ Msambweni (hotel transfer) | 35–50 min |
Shimoni Transfers & Travel Guide: common questions
Do you wait in Shimoni while we are on the dhow trip?
Yes. On a day trip your driver waits and brings you back in the afternoon. See our Wasini & Kisite day-trip page.
How do I pay?
By M-Pesa, card, or cash in KES, USD, EUR or GBP. The price is fixed when you book on WhatsApp and does not change on the day.