Snorkelling
Over coral gardens.
Andrea Albini — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Queen Asali — CC BY 4.0 · Queen Asali — CC BY 4.0
One of Africa's oldest marine protected areas, declared a park in 1968, protecting coral reefs and clear shallow lagoons off the small town of Watamu. It is part of a wider biosphere reserve that also takes in Mida Creek and its mangrove forests. Glass-bottom boats and snorkelling trips leave from the beach for the coral gardens, with colourful fish, sea turtles and sometimes dolphins. At low tide, rock pools and white sandbanks appear among the small islands. Sea turtles nest on Watamu's beaches, and the town has a turtle rescue and rehabilitation centre you can visit. Mida Creek is known for migrating birds and its boardwalk over the mangroves. The park fee is USD 25 per non-resident adult on the Kenya Wildlife Service schedule, usually included in the trip price. The best times are at low tide and in the calmer months away from the strong monsoon winds.
Over coral gardens.
For families.
Mangroves and birds.
Watamu, about 20 km south of Malindi
USD 25 per non-resident adult per visitor guides, usually included in the boat-trip price.