Watamu Marine Park and National Reserve are located about 90 miles (140 km) north of Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city. It was established in 1968 and was one of Kenya’s first marine parks. Its coral gardens are merely 300 meters (980 ft) from the shore. They are home to approximately 600 species of fish, 110 species of stony coral, and countless invertebrates, crustaceans, and mollusks. The water temperature varies between 20 degrees Celsius (June to November) and 30 degrees Celsius (December to May). It was made as a biosphere reserve in 1979.
How to get there
By Road:
Watamu is 28km south of Malindi and 120 km north of Mombasa. At Gede ruins, which is on the main Mombasa Malindi highway, you head towards the Indian Ocean. 11kms from the main road is Watamu town.
By Air:
Malindi airport is your point of arrival.
Wildlife:
Watamu’s coral reefs form the physical and biological backbone of the area. With over 150 hard and soft corals species, such as brain corals, fan corals, and sponges, it provides abundant fish nutrients. The main park has over 500 species and the reserve over 1000. There are also whale sharks, manta rays, octopuses, and barracuda as some of the larger species in the park.
Watamu beach is patrolled and monitored vigorously. It has different species of turtles; a turtle watch program has managed to secure the Watamu main park’s coast, a 99% viable sea turtle nesting site for endangered sea turtles. The turtles nesting in Watamu includes the green, olive ridley turtles and hawksbill. Leatherback turtles never nest in Watamu or Malindi but pass through the nearby waters during their migration. The olive ridley species are rare but occasionally come to the nesting site.
Attractions
Glass bottom boat rides
Snorkeling
Windsurfing
Diving
Sunbathing
Waterskiing
Haven of green turtle
Unique coral garden
Mida creek
Kipepeo project
Gede ruins