Calico Jacks Diani - Diani Beach & South Coast
The team at Calico Jacks Diani are the real deal, no frills, just good diving. We’ve spent enough time on boats with them to know they run a tight ship, focused on getting you out to the best of Diani’s local sites without any fuss. If you appreciate a dive centre that prioritizes safety and local knowledge over flashy marketing, then Calico Jacks is definitely our pick. They’re excellent for divers who want a relaxed vibe and appreciate a crew that feels like old friends by the end of the trip. What we love about Calico Jacks is their genuine passion for the local reefs. They’ll often adjust dive plans based on conditions and recent sightings, chasing whale sharks or manta rays when they’re around. You can feel the warmth of the Indian Ocean as you drop into the water, and the reefs here are classic East Africa – plenty of green turtles munching on seagrass, big schools of snapper, and the occasional grumpy stonefish hiding in the coral. We'd suggest asking them about a morning trip to Kinondo, the currents can be playful, but the reef structure is fantastic and often quieter. Visibility averages a solid 15-20 metres most of the year, though it can get a bit greener after heavy rains. They’re PADI certified, so good for courses too, but it’s the guided dives where they really shine.
- Location
- Diani Beach & South Coast, Kenya, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -4.269654, 39.598022
- Phone
- +254 722 505050
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.calicojacks.co.ke
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI Resort [padi:23331]
- Address
- Southern Palms Beach Resort, Diamonds Leisure Beach & Gold Resort, Mombasa, Kenya
Dive Sites Near Calico Jacks Diani
Calico Jacks Diani provides access to 15 dive sites in Diani Beach & South Coast.
- AGIA MARINA - 18m (wreck)
- ALPHA COMMANDER - 25m (wreck)
- Chale (reef)
- DERNA - 6m (wreck)
- Dzinani (wreck)
- FATIH MUBARAK - 0m (wreck)
- Galu (reef)
- GLOBE STAR - 2m (wreck)
- HIGHLAND LASSIE - 20m (wreck)
- HMS HILDASAY - 5m (wreck)
- HMS SHAPINSAY OR HILDASAY - 0m (wreck)
- Igloo (wreck)
- Jadini (cave)
- Kinondo (wreck)
- Kisima Mungu (Nomads) (reef)
Other Dive Centres in Diani Beach & South Coast
- ABDU Scuba Divers
- Diving and Watersports Center
- Diving Center
- Diving The Crab
- Ocean Tribe - SSI, PADI
- Papamanyota Diving Center Kenya - ["PADI"]
- ReefoDivers Diani - ["PADI"]
- The Scuba Duka - SSI, PADI
- Tropical Diving & Watersports - ["PADI"]
- Yellow Fins Dive Center - ["PADI"]
Best Time to Dive in Diani Beach & South Coast
The warmest water temperatures in Diani Beach & South Coast occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.1°C (air: 27.7°C)
- February: 28.1°C (air: 28.2°C)
- March: 28.1°C (air: 28.1°C)
- April: 28.1°C (air: 26.7°C)
- May: 28.1°C (air: 26.2°C)
- June: 28.1°C (air: 25.3°C)
- July: 28.1°C (air: 24.4°C)
- August: 28.1°C (air: 24.5°C)
- September: 28.1°C (air: 25.2°C)
- October: 28.1°C (air: 26.2°C)
- November: 28.1°C (air: 26.7°C)
- December: 28.1°C (air: 27.2°C)
Marine Life in Diani Beach & South Coast
Home to 446 recorded species including 284 reef fish, 96 hard corals, 27 seagrass & algae, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 sea cucumbers, 5 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Marine Life
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Marbled Parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) - Reef Fish
- Cigar wrasse (Cheilio inermis) - Reef Fish
- Hooded oyster (Saccostrea cuccullata) - Clams & Mussels
- Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) - Reef Fish
- Silver-streaked rainbowfish (Stethojulis strigiventer) - Reef Fish
- Crested Sabretooth Blenny (Petroscirtes mitratus) - Reef Fish
- Alligator pipefish (Syngnathoides biaculeatus) - Reef Fish
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) - Seagrass & Algae
Recommended Packing List for Diani Beach & South Coast
Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories