Watamu Marine National Park
Watamu Marine National Park is located along Kenya’s north coast about 140 km (90 mi) north of Mombasa, the park covers an area of 10 sq km and it is home to a complex of Marine and tidal habitant with rich in Aquatic bird life, Aquatic life like fish, haven of green turtle, dugongs, unique coral gardens, Gede Ruins.
Watamu Marine National Park was established in 1968 together with Malindi Marine National Park by the Kenyan government, the has been recognized as an UN-World Biosphere Reserve.
Watamu Marine National Park is gifted with over 300m (980 ft) coral gardens starting from the shore, these corals are habitant to approximately 600 fish species, molluscs and crustaceans, over 110 species of stony coral and countless invertebrates.
The park proved you with an opportunity to dive under the sea and gaze at the beautiful aquatic life in its blue waters like 15 species of colorful fish and dazzling coral, sand and mudflats these are important Marine habitants also found in the Marine National Park others include Mangrove swamps, pristine beaches, coral reef, Coral gardens among others. The park is a habitant to various Marine life that is to say enormous wrasse to the least small Clown-fish and endangered green turtles. Watamu is a perfect destination to all sea lover and also the land-lubbers as well in the park to carry out activities like glass-bottomed boat which gives a very rewarding views of the marine life in the boat. The park is also a habitant of whale sharks, manta rays, octopus, barracuda as the largest species in the waters of the park. The park was secured as a99% viable sea turtles nesting site and home to a number of endangered turtle species like the green turtle, hawksbill turtles and Olive ridley turtles occasionally spotted, you can stand a chance to view the Leatherback turtles on their migration to nearby water bodies note that they are not hosted in the park they just pass by.
Watamu was voted of the top beaches in the World
watamu marine national park activities
Snorkeling
watamu marine national park snorkeling, Over 1000 fish species are attracted by the park’s coral reefs and the sea gardens, over 150 soft and hard coral species can be spotted at the park, viewing coral fans, sponges, brain corals and the 300 meters fringing reef offshore make under water navigating easy. The blue clear waters offer amazing visibility to Snorkelers.
Bird watching
Watamu marine national park has a number of bird species which include myriad egrets, plovers, Sandpipers, Terns, Warblers, Flycatchers, Shrikes, Sunbirds, Orioles to mention but a few can best be spotted at the Whale Island, Mida Creek, Dakatcha Woodland, Sabaki River Mouth.
Dolphin-watching
Indo Pacific bottlenose dolphins are the Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in the whole world, Watamu Marine National Park has experienced dolphin watching guides, these guides have been in place for over 20 years of experience called the Watamu Marine Excursions. These guides will lead you to the best dolphin watching experience of a life time.
Turtle Watching
The park protects endangered species of Turtles, in the park you will stand a chance to learn more about the turtle, turtles are rehabilitated and later released to sea, the hatchings are allowed to make their own way to the sea.
Sailing
The tourists are given great opportunities to sail in the traditional Arabi Dhow as a way of enjoyment, you will view amazing features of the park like fish species, aquatic bird species.
Best Time to Visit Watamu Marine National Park
The Park welcome visitors all year round but the best time for diving, Snorkeling, fishing is in the months of October to April, for turtle nesting and hatching it is done all year round.
Where to stay in Watamu National Park
The Watamu marine national park and reserve has nice accommodation facilities ranging from budget, mid-range to Luxury namely Hemingway’s hotel, Ocean Sports, Watamu Tree House.
How to get to Watamu National Park
The park can be accessed by road and air transport.
By Road;
The park is 120 km north of Mombasa and 28 km south of Malindi, via Gede which is a Mombasa-Malindi Road, turn towards the Indian ocean and drive 11 kms from Watamu main road.
By Air;
Fly from Nairobi to Malindi airstrip and drive to the park.
