* marine parks
The Kenya coast stretches for some 500 kilometres. Most of it is beach. All of
it is protected by coral reefs. Much of it provides unspoilt diving conditions
with numerous exciting dive sites that include wrecks and caves. Opportunities
for snorkelling are endless.
Three Marine Parks have been created as public areas set aside for the
protection of coral and fish and for the enjoyment of visitors. A small fee of
$5 per adult and $2 per child is payable to the Kenya Wildlife Services for the
privilege of snorkelling and diving there.
Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks. 261sq km
Both marine parks are incorporated in the same Marine National Reserve which
have long stretches of casuarinas fringed white sandy beaches. Both Malindi and
Watamu are world class for accessibility, beauty and diversity of marine life
which live just off-shore on Barracuda and North Reef coral reefs and Turtle and
Whale Islands.
Watamu Marine National Park includes the Mida Creek mangrove forest where young
coral begins its existence before the tides take it out to the reefs beyond. The
forest roots are rich in fish, crabs, prawns and oysters and are also excellent
for birdwatching.
The coral reefs are home to over 140 species of hard and soft corals and are the
breeding grounds for fish and other marine life. Coral is a vital barrier
against the force of the sea, protecting marine organisms and tourists, they
keep out dangerous sharks common to the deeper waters, and their colour and the
exotic coral fish they support provides a major attraction for tourists.
Tewa Caves, near the mouth of the creek, are partly underwater where Giant
Groupers (up to 800lbs) co-exist with many other tropical fish species. Floating
slowly over the coral beds you may see brilliantly coloured marine fishes of
bizarre shapes, spiny fish urchins, brightly hued seas slugs, crabs and
starfish.
Shore birds include; sanderlings, curlew sandpipers, little stints, whimbrel and
greenshanks and three species of plovers: grey, great sand and mongolian
sand.Non-breeding visitors include terns and gulls. They are; swift, lesser
crested and saunders' little terns and the sooty or hemprich's gull.
Mombasa Marine Reserve
Mombasa Marine Reserve was formed first, to protect the coralheads and their
resident marinelife from damage by over-fishing and trophy collecting (relics,
shells, coral etc). Coral species include: branching (acropora), encrusting (turbinaria)
and massive (porites). The National Park opened with the support of local
hoteliers to prevent further stripping of the natural treasures from the reef in
order to preserve its ecological and tourist attraction. The beaches with marine
park access include Nyalibeach Bamburibeach and Shanzubeach.
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park 28 sq km
At the southernmost point of Kenya’s 500kms coastline lie some of East Africa’s
most colourful coral gardens. Located 4-8kms. Out to sea from Shimoni and next
door Wasini Island, noted for its coral gardens, the Kisite Marine Park is
beautiful and intact.
The entire Marine Park is in shallow water. It can be reached easily, by motor
boat or traditional dhow from Shimoni. The Kisite coral reefs are estimated to
be 3-4kms long running along the near and outer edges of the reefs from Mpunguti
Island to the tiny coral island of Kisite itself. The reefs at Kisite and
Mpunguti Marine National Park are scientifically important habitats, one of the
most complex eco-systems on this plant.
A large number of coral varieties have so far been identified including:
staghorn, brain, mushroom and pencil species which are easy to goggle over and
deep enough to avoid damage from human contact. The sheer numbers of fish (over
250 species recorded) feeding around the coral is an amazing sight. Kisite is a
feast of colour and movement with eye-catching coral fish including butterfly,
parrot, rockcod, angel fish and rays.
Dolphin are common, as are big shoals of bonito and frigate mackerel. Nearby,
Shimoni is home to many families of porpoises which cruise in and out of the
Kisite Marine Park and are frequently seen in the channel between the mainland
and Shimoni. “Shimo” means hole or cave in Swahili and historically these caves
were used by smugglers and slavers. Some caves have freshwater springs flowing
into the sea reputed to come from Kilimanjaro, 100 miles inland.
Game viewing
Marine parks