Malindi-Watamu Marine National Park
The Malindi-Watamu Marine National Park is the first marine park in Africa, and one of the largest natural marine reserves in the world. The park offers protection to a well-known coral reef, which teems with colorful fish and provides a great place to snorkel and scuba dive. It sits at sea level, and is about 260 square kilometers in size. The park is located in the Kilifi district, about 120 kilometers north of Mombasa on the northern coast of Kenya. The park's climate is humid and hot, and it is a combination of tidal and marine habitats. There are two main coral reefs, the Barracuda and the North Reef, both of which host a variety of marine life.
The coral reefs provide shelter and food for a thriving community of smaller fish, clams and octopus, which nestle between the coral; parrotfish which nip off pieces or coral, rubberfish, zebra and butterfly fish, and scorpion fish. In turn, these fishes are preyed upon by starfish, rays and sharks. Malindi-Watamu is known for its large population of sea turtles (hawksbill, Ridley, leatherback, loggerhead and green) that feed in the coral reef beds and breed on a beach next to the marine headquarters. From there, visitors can see hatchlings making their way to the sea, and they may also see humpback, bottlenose and spinner dolphins as well. Malindi-Watamu Marine National Park offers some of the best snorkeling in Africa; the best places are a short boat ride from shore. If you don't want to snorkel, you can see the reef from a glass-bottomed boat.