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Diving&SnorkellingExperiences
Not everybody in a group wants to dive, and nobody should have to sit on the beach because of it.
These are trips built for mixed groups: divers below, snorkellers at the surface, one boat, one morning.
Written by The Scuba Duka team · Reviewed by Ali, founder and Divemaster Instructor · October 2026
Snorkelling here is not a consolation prize
The shallow inside of a fringing reef holds much of its life. Coral gardens sit in a few metres of water, turtles feed on seagrass within snorkelling depth, and the fish are unbothered by somebody floating quietly above them.
It also means a mixed group does the same trip, with nobody waiting on the beach for the others.
For a boat trip with music on board, see our Robinson Island snorkelling tour.
How a mixed morning works
One site, two depths
We pick a reef that works shallow and deep. Divers go with a guide, snorkellers stay with a second team member at the surface.
Nobody unsupervised
Snorkellers are looked after, not left with a mask and pointed at the water. That includes children and anybody nervous.
Equipment for everyone
Mask, snorkel, fins and flotation for surface guests; full dive equipment for divers. All fitted at the centre.
Same boat, same interval
Fruit and water on board between dives, so the group is together for the parts that matter.
What you may see from the surface
Green and hawksbill turtles over the seagrass, coral gardens with hundreds of reef fish, blue-spotted stingrays on the sand, octopus if you are patient and lucky. Dolphins are seen from the boat on some routes, particularly towards Kisite.
Sightings are never guaranteed, and nothing is chased or fed to improve them.
Frequently asked questions
Do snorkellers need to swim well?
Comfort in water matters more than technique, and flotation is available. Tell us who is nervous when you book.
Is there a minimum age?
For snorkelling we judge it by water comfort and equipment fit rather than a number. Diving has age minimums by programme.
Can I try diving on the same trip?
A first dive is its own instructor-led session — see Try Scuba. It can often be arranged on a day when the rest of the group snorkels.
How is it priced?
Per trip, once we know how many are diving and how many are snorkelling. One figure covering the whole group.
Who you will dive with
Seven people run the centre, four of them born and raised in Diani Beach. Between the four instructors sit more than 13,000 logged dives on this stretch of the Indian Ocean. Two qualified dive guides, Sampuli and Captain Michael, guide dives alongside them.
Ali
Founder · Divemaster Instructor25+ years diving in Kenya and abroad. Born and raised in Diani Beach.
Kassim
Scuba Instructor17+ years and 8,000+ logged dives, from Diani to Kisite Mpunguti. SSI and PADI certified.
Salim Swaleh
Scuba Instructor4,000+ logged dives on Diani sites. Teaches SSI beginner to specialty courses.
Omari
Scuba InstructorSSI and PADI Open Water Instructor, 1,000+ logged dives. Shoots underwater photo and video.
Sampuli
Dive GuideBorn and raised in Diani Beach. 100+ logged dives. Guides guest divers and runs equipment checks.
Michael
Dive Guide · Captain20+ years scuba diving and captaining boats. Handles the boat and guides dives.
