Malindi Marine National Park & Reserve

Malindi Marine National Park is the oldest Marine National Park in Kenya. It is located about 120 kilometres from the nearest city, Mombasa. The park is easily accessible from both road and Air. The nearest airport, Malindi Airport (MYD) is barely 10 kilometres away.

Malindi is a hub for travellers seeking both relaxation and adventure along Kenya’s coastline. Learn more about what makes Malindi tourism so special, with highlights that cater to history buffs, nature lovers, and thrill-seekers alike.

The extent of Malindi Marine National Park

The Malindi Marine National Park extends all the way from the Vasco Da Gama pillar to Watamu. According to MagicalKenya, the Park is enveloped by a National reserve that starts about 100 feet of coastal land and extends seaward up to about 3 km.

An explosion of undersea color, the fish and the coral here will compete for your attention with their dazzling hues. Africa’s first marine park is a treasure of fringing reefs, coral gardens, lagoons, seagrass, and every sort of sea life – turtles, dolphins, fish, and shorebirds.

The clarity of the water and the unending variety of the park’s marine life guarantees near-perfect diving and snorkeling. Other fun things to do in Kenya’s first protected marine environment include windsurfing, water skiing, deep-sea fishing and just swimming amongst the brilliant waterscape of fish populating this reserve.
The 6 sq. km (2.3 sq. mi) park borders the larger 213 sq. km (82 sq. mi) reserve which encompasses beaches, mangroves, mud flats, and a variety of coral reefs. The park boasts over 600 species of fish and well over a hundred types of coral.

Coral Garden of Malindi Marine Park

When Snorkeling, diving, swimming, or just touring you’ll come across a rainbow of coral types such as the flat, wide potato coral, the jagged branches of staghorn coral, and the aptly named organ pipe and boulder brain coral.
Flurrying about these delicate coral forms, you will come across triggerfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, grouper, emperor, and many more. Other species inhabiting this active marinescape are sea anemones, crabs, lobsters, sea cucumbers, and octopus.

Photo of the rich

The weather around Malindi Marine National Park

The treasured sea turtle also makes this park its home with many varieties – green, hawksbill, olive ridley, and loggerhead. The varied habitats provide essential nesting sites for the turtles ensuring their survival.
The area experiences two rainy seasons. The long rainy season lasts from April to May with a dusting of rain starting and ending in late March and through June. The long rain is followed by the long dry season lasting from July through October. The short rainy season then starts in November and December before the short dry period in January and February.

Things to Do in Malindi Marine National Park

There are plenty of activities that tourists can enjoy at the Malindi Marine National Park, including glass-bottom boat rides, camping, snorkeling, and beach walks on the white sandy beaches. Aside from bird watching, jogging, diving, sunbathing, and Kitesurfing, there is also a wide range of other activities that one can do while in Malindi Marine National Park.

Birdwatching

Malindi Marine National Park offers an excellent opportunity for bird enthusiasts. By exploring the saltwater lagoon at Mida Greek, visitors can enhance their experience. Mida Creek lies approximately 20 kilometers south of Malindi, past Gede town. The area is home to a variety of birds that you can observe. Check out our dedication page about the Mida Creek tourist attraction.

Snorkelling

A boat trip to the off-shore coral formation is one of the most enjoyable ways for visitors to experience a fantastic marine adventure. Snorkeling is best done during low tide when there are only two hours between high tide and low tide.

Scuba Diving

Malindi Marine National Park is home to a wide range of activities that attract visitors from all over the world. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach most of the sites by boat from the shore. In addition to diving lessons, the equipment can be rented and diving lessons can be arranged.

Sunbathing

The Marine Park beach is one of the most popular beaches in Malindi found at Malindi Marine National Park. Tourists can relax, bask in the sun, and enjoy the sunset as well as the cool breezes coming from the Indian Ocean on a hot day.

Fishing

The Malindi Marine National Park does not allow fishing, but there is a reserve inside the park where fishing is permitted. There are a lot of fish species in the ocean and fishing gear is available for those who wish to fish.

 

 

How to contact Malindi Marine National Park