Watamu Marine National Park

Why visit

Watamu’s reef runs parallel to the shore, enclosing a lagoon dotted with small coral islands, some undercut by the sea so that they look like mushrooms. At low tide the lagoon is calm and clear, and boats take visitors out to the coral gardens, where you can snorkel among parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and moray eels. With Malindi, it was one of the first marine parks in Africa, and the area is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

What to see and do

• The coral gardens: the main snorkelling area, reached by boat from the beach.
• Glass-bottom boats: a good choice for children and non-swimmers.
• Turtles: green turtles often graze the sea grass; local conservation groups protect nests on the beaches.
• The beaches: Turtle Bay and the coves around Watamu, with white sand and rock islets.
• Whales: humpback whales pass offshore from about July to October.

Tides and timing

Snorkelling is best around low tide, when the water inside the reef is calm and clear. Boat operators plan trips around the tide table, so times change from day to day. From about December to March the sea is usually calmest; from June to September the south-east trade winds make it rougher and stir up seaweed.

Tips

• Park fees are paid electronically; check whether your boat trip includes them.
• Wear reef shoes, do not stand on or touch the coral, and use reef-friendly sun cream.
• Wear a T-shirt while snorkelling; the sun burns quickly on your back.
• Read our guide to snorkelling in the marine parks.