Tours and Tickets by Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari
Overview
Select this full-day cruise aboard a traditional dhow sailboat and enjoy two snorkel stops on the beautiful coral reef at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park. Be on the lookout for dolphins and turtles as you cruise through the marine park. The day includes a light breakfast, a Swahili-style seafood lunch, and free-flowing drinks on scenic Wasini Island.
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Popular mentions
what a wonderful, well-organized day out on the water (and in the water). The dhows were fun and the staff was not only entertaining, but kept giving us food and drinks. They guided us in the water to go places and really cared for our group, even the little kids. Crab lunch afterwrds was really great.…
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Date of experience: July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Truly fantastic team makes the sea experience a dream! One of the best reefs in the world. The food is wasini is amazing as well. A full experience!
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Date of experience: December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Valerie P, Owner at Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari
Responded Mar 16, 2022
So happy to hear that you enjoyed the day with Pilli Pipa. It's true, Kisite is one of the best reefs in the world. Not many people know that!
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Great boat, good helpful team. Enjoyed lunch very much. Overall great experience, thanks to Selina... we shall be back very soon for Scuba Diving course
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Response from Valerie P, Owner at Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari
Responded Feb 27, 2022
Thanks Nina. So glad you enjoyed the day and had a great time. Look forward to seeing you again soon! Selina will be around then hopefully.
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Had a fantastic day out with Pilli Pipa Dhow. Everything went smoothly. Booking easy. Staff came to hotel to take payment by card. Picked up at hotel on day of trip. Very good driver Mohammed gave us a smooth and safe drive to Shimoni where we got on a small boat which transferred us to the Dhow. Such a friendly and helpful and good natured crew. Coffee and biscuits during the hour spent getting to the coral reef. Sadly no dolphins as it was windy and choppy. The captain steered us well through the choppy water. On arrival at the reef we were kitted out in snorkelling gear and fins. There were 10 of us on the trip and the crew accompanied us and showed us the best bits of the reef and were very safety conscious throughout. The fish were plentiful and colourful. Some large shoals and large fish. We followed some turtles closely watching them rise up to the surface for air. Back on the dhow for a further short journey to another good spot. Plenty of time snorkelling. Then journeyed to Wasini Island where we were welcomed by beautifully dressed Swahili ladies who sang and then served a seafood buffet. Vegetarian options were available. It was all very smooth and efficient. Food was great and plentiful and after lunch we relaxed in comfortable huts and enjoyed the cactus gardens and baobab trees and the pretty shoreline. After a good hour we then transferred back to the dhow. Done expertly and safely as it was still choppy. Then a pleasant drive back to hotel. All in all a fantastic day out. I spoke to others who had taken cheaper trips but in unshaded boats with questionable safety. Can’t recommend these folk enough. Great organisation and staff. …
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Date of experience: January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Valerie P, Owner at Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari
Responded Feb 27, 2022
Thank you JazzMa for your wonderful comments. It lifts our spirits when we know guests had a good experience even though you missed the dolphins. May the rest of the New Year be purposeful and peaceful.
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This was overpriced compared to other Dhows. There was no music on the dhow. Other companies play Swahili music to entertain the guests on the 2+ hours The captain and the diving crew were great at their jobs.
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Date of experience: January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Response from Valerie P, Owner at Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari
Responded Feb 27, 2022
Thank you R Mburu for giving me the chance to reply to this comment. Of course we are overpriced compared to other Dhows, we know that. Compare our snorkelling and diving equipment for one thing and the training we give to our crew. More than half of our crew are actually certified PADI or NAUI Open Water divers and all have achieved Master Snorkel status. Most importantly, we pay income tax and VAT which helps the economy grow. We pay full KWS park fees. We pay 2% Tourism Levy that supports Uchumii College that produces professional hotel and tourism staff, the Ministry of Tourism as well as the Tourism Regulatory Authority that is supposed to regulate the tourism industry so that we are all on an equal level. We look after our staff well and pay their PAYE, NHIF and NSSF and have Workman's compensation policies. Our Dhows, office and restaurant are insured for Public Liability. We meet all the hygeine standards and Covid 19 protocols laid down by the Kenya Government. On the way to the marine park our crew are busy talking to the guests, to find out their capability and experience regarding swimming or diving. The crew are fitting masks, prescription lens and showing beginners how to make the best use of their snorkels and masks. Also fitting fins and life jackets. Our dive masters and instructors will be chatting to divers to find out their dive experience, how often they have dived and how recently, then fitting their wet suits, breathing apparatus and jackets. At the same time pointing out dolphins or other creatures of interest on the way. The purpose of our excursion is to educate people on marine life that may be seen and on coral conservation, that we are actively involved in through Reefolution Foundation in Shimoni. We do not feel the need to fill in time with beating drums, we prefer that our clients should enjoy the beauty of the day peacefully and listen to the sound of nature, such as a dolphin's cry and also information and instructions from the crew. Everything has it's time and place. Thank you for your comments.
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