Kenya’s tourism was boosted on Sunday when a luxury expedition cruise ship christened SH Diana docked at the new Shimoni Port in Kwale County with 240 tourists aboard.

There was excitement as the cruise ship made its inaugural call at the new Shimoni Port marking it the first cruise ship to do so since the completion of the port construction in June this year.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) said the vessel arrived from Victoria Port in Seychelles with the tourists from various countries who would spend one day in Shimoni fishing village and its surrounding tourist sites.

The construction of the Ksh2.6 billion Shimoni Port project spearheaded by KPA began in March 2023 and was completed in June 2025.

The cruise ship called at Shimoni Port from Port Victoria in Seychelles, marking the official start of the 2025-26 cruise ship season. The vessel has been to Seychelles, Madagascar and South Africa. The docking event was marked with an elaborate welcoming ceremony, local entertainment and hopes for future tourism growth.

The ship’s Captain Jaanus Hannes said it’s the third time that the SH Diana, a luxury expedition cruise ship was coming to Kenya having docked in Mombasa in 2023 and in Lamu in 2024.

“This momentous occasion marks the ship’s third visit to Kenya with new and repeat visitors since 2023 with stunning destinations and excursions,” he said.

Hannes said the tourists would go snorkelling at Shimoni as part of tours to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, where he said they could experience vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. While some passengers rushed off to new adventures, some stayed on the ship to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere taking advantage of fewer crowds for the ship’s amenities.

He said the cruise ship with 96 staterooms and suites typically visits destinations of historical, cultural and tourism significance. The SH Diana, operated by Swan Hellenic and Nisomar Shipping Lines, measures 124 metres in length with a draft of 5.7 metres and features state-of-the-art hospitality facilities.

The tourists were received by KPA officials led by Corporate Communication Manager Dave Buchere, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani and Lunga Lunga MP Mangale Chiforomodo.

Buchere said the arrival of the passenger cruise ship marks the start of a cruise ship season that would welcome numerous other cruise ships to Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu seaports.

Speaking after touring the cruise ship, Governor Achani said Kwale County is honoured to receive SH Diana vessel on its maiden voyage to Shimoni port.

Ms Achani expressed her gratitude following the arrival of the cruise ship describing it as a significant step towards establishing Shimoni Port as a premier cruise destination in the region and also marked the port’s inauguration.

The governor said Kwale hosts Diani and Tiwi beaches lined with white sand and tall palm trees and attracts hundreds of domestic and foreign of tourists every year. Diani beach is the preferred holiday destination for many tourists and each year, it receives a record number of holidaymakers arriving to savour its beautiful sandy beaches and tropical ambience.

She says Diani beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa and has been awarded the best beach destination in the continent for seven years in a row by the World Travel Awards. The coastal county is out to promote its rich marine, cultural, heritage and historical sites.

“Diani beach with its stunning blue waters has now evolved into a much sought-after tourism destination in Kenya and we are proud of that,” she said.

She says Kwale also provides excitement to tourists through diverse experiences like vibrant cultural exploration and wildlife viewing in Shimba Hills National Reserve. Achani says global cruise liners were increasingly expanding their destinations and extending their time in Kenyan waters with profound benefits for local economies reliant on tourism.

The arrival of cruise ships provides a significant boost to the country’s tourism industry particularly in Mombasa which is becoming a premier cruise destination.

The tourists visited the Wasini Island Boardwalk and Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Reserve famed for its magnificent coral reefs and colourful marine life with Governor Achani saying the tourists will be spending on local attractions, which supports job creation and the economy.

The ‘Wasini Boardwalk’ refers to a raised wooden pathway over fossil coral gardens and mangrove swamps on Wasini Island.

The coastal county boss said tourists disembarking from ships spent money across various sectors, including accommodation, restaurants, retail and cultural attractions. She said the newly completed Shimoni Port is hoped to transform the region’s tourism landscape by harnessing maritime tourism to drive economic growth.

Achani said cruise ships would energize the local tour, travel and hospitality sector thus creating a vibrant economic ecosystem that supports businesses.

Kenya Tourism Federation Chair Mohamed Hersi welcomed the development, saying cruise ship tourism was the way to go and that tourism was on an upward trajectory.

“Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni seaports should tap into cruise ship tourism by upgrading infrastructure and creating new attractions to capitalise on the economic benefits of the industry,” he said.

Ksenia Smirnova and Elena Karmanova from Russia said they were excited to visit Kenya for the first time.

“It was always my wish to come to Kenya and experience its beautiful scenery and see its lovely people,” said an excited Smirnova.

Dr Michael Frey and his wife Sarika Frey from Canada also said they were happy to have a chance to mix with Kenyans and that they were enthralled by the country’s beauty. Dr Frey said as a couple they have previously been to South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe and they were now excited to have added Kenya onto their itinerary.

“Exploring the islands of Kenya with a cruise liner is quite simply a magical experience for us,” he said during an interview.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Hussein Abdullahi