Watamu Marine National Park

EMI Travel > Tours > Kenya > Watamu Marine National Park

The Marine Park and Reserve is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty; boasting a rich marine life all roaming within 229 KM² of pristine white-sand beaches, reef-protected lagoons, and wide-open sea.

The marine-protected area in Watamu is recognized internationally as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which is a designation of natural excellence.

A visit to Watamu is easily justified after delving deep into the coral reef gardens inside the Park, walking into the sky-blue clear sea and spotting the parrotfish – whose digestion of the coral reefs over the millennia has produced the white sand beach itself.

There is a large population of large sea turtles and other small fish and bigger fish.

The Park also boasts 4 Important Bird Areas, Whale Island, Mida Creek, Dakatcha Woodland, and Sabaki River Mouth. From here, you can watch all kinds of birds including migrant birds.

To snorkel without seeing at least a few dozen species inside the main reef is nearly impossible, and divers outside the fringe reef stand an excellent chance of viewing the magnificent whale sharks and manta rays that are seasonal visitors.

One of the best routes for a snorkel exploration is a gentle swim to the Larder in Turtle Bay, in between the two rocky islands directly South of the Kenya Wildlife Service Blue Bay HQ. As you glide over the eroded coral ledges there are numerous Damselfish, Young Butterfly and Angelfish, Morays, Groupers and Octopus. Through the seagrass pass you’ll also find Blue Spotted-Rays, Mullet and Snappers.

Once you get to the edge of the grass area, around 100m out, turn right to follow the grass edge along its contour line. After about 100m you’ll find the Larder to your left; a series of approximately six large coral heads, and the home of hundreds of fish.

Watamu, voted one of the top ten beaches in the world, is a lifetime experience steeped in natural fauna and flora.