"Dive into Malindi's Majestic Coral Garden Experience"

Malindi Marine National Park, Malindi Overview

Malindi Marine National Park is Africa's oldest marine park, located along Kenya's Mombasa coastline. It spans 213 square kilometers along the Indian Ocean, known for its beautiful coral reefs, clear beaches, and diverse marine life. Notably, it's a haven for endangered green turtles and hosts over 600 fish species and various shorebirds, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Malindi Marine National Park is teeming with a variety of marine life, from colourful fish to crabs, corals, sea urchins, jellyfish, sea stars, and sea cucumbers. The park includes different ecosystems like reefs, coral gardens, sea grass beds, mangroves, and mudflats. The park is home to different coral species like Acropora, Turbinaria, and Porites. Alongside the lively marine ecosystem, you'll discover mangrove forests and scenic coastal dunes, providing a habitat for various bird species. Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting coastal and migratory birds, including herons, egrets, pelicans, and flamingos. To make your visit more exciting, the park offers activities like glass-bottom boat rides, snorkelling, and camping, inviting you to fully experience the natural beauty of this coastal paradise.

1. Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

Malindi Marine National Park is great for snorkelling and diving at spots like Coral Gardens and Whale Shark Point. You can see colourful fish like clownfish and sea turtles. The best time for snorkel (Read More)ling is during low tide for calm waters and clear visibility.

2. Glass Bottom Boat Rides

The park offers boat rides with a glass bottom to see marine life without getting wet. You can spot manta rays, parrotfish, and, depending on the season, even whale sharks. These rides are available a (Read More)ll day, with mornings being the best for visibility.

3. Boating and Kayaking

Boat and kayak through Mida Creek to see wildlife like mudskippers and herons. The best time for kayaking is during high tide, revealing the mangrove roots.

4. Water Skiing

Water Skiing is a great way to enjoy the thrill of gliding across the pristine waters of the park. It is recommended to seek calm weather conditions and choose open ocean areas or designated water-ski (Read More)ing spots.

5. Wind Surfing

Water skiing is an exhilarating activity in the park, offering the thrill of gliding across its pristine waters. It's advisable to choose calm weather conditions and designated spots for this exciting (Read More) experience.

6. Magical Islands

At low tide, magical islands appear in Malindi Marine National Park, creating a unique experience. Plan your visit accordingly to explore these enchanting sandbanks.

Read More on Malindi Marine National Park

Marine Life in Malindi National Park

Malindi Marine National Park is a vibrant underwater world, hosting over 600 fish species like angelfish and parrotfish. You'll also encounter sea urchins, whale sharks, starfish, octopuses, dolphins, and jellyfish. The park features diverse coral types, including Acropora, Turbinaria, and brain coral. Along the shore, spot herons, flamingos, pelicans, egrets, kingfishers, and ibises. Don't miss the chance to see endangered green sea turtles and playful monkeys like vervets and Sykes' monkeys in the surrounding forests, making your visit to Malindi a unique and diverse coastal experience.

Must-Know

Malindi National Park has one main entrance gate which is close to the town of Malindi itself. The park gate is generally accessible by road, and it is approximately a 10–15-minute drive from the town centre to the park entrance.
The park is open throughout the year.
Along the coastline, visitors can savour Swahili cuisine in various restaurants serving traditional dishes.
There is no lodging available within the park. But you can find plenty of options in Malindi town.
If you don't have your own snorkelling and scuba diving equipment, you have the option to rent it within the park.
It is recommended to hire guides for all the activities in the park.
Dolphins are most commonly spotted in the calm waters between November and April, although they can be found in the Indian Ocean year-round.
If you do not have the proper training or license to scuba dive or snorkel, it is advised to take a guide along for supervision.

How to Reach Malindi Marine National Park

By Air: The nearest airport is Malindi Airport (MYD), receiving domestic flights from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport and Wilson Airport. The flight takes about 1.5 hours, costing $50 to $150 per person. Malindi Airport is 3 km from the park, accessible by taxi or transfer.
By Road: Malindi is reachable by road from Nairobi in 8-9 hours (500 km). From Mombasa, it's a 2-3 hour, 120 km drive. Visitors can drive or hire a private taxi.
By Bus: Public buses and matatus operate between Nairobi and Malindi. Costs vary; check with local stations for schedules and fares.