Malindi Marine National Park

Malindi Marine National Park is located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Kenya. It is claimed to be oldest Marine Park in Africa. The park lies at Malindi, about 118 km north of Mombasa and is protected and administered by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Along with Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Park is enclosed by the Malindi Marine National Reserve. Malindi Marine National Park beckons visitors with the promise of untold underwater riches to be discovered. On the mainland, beautiful Malindi beach, which forms a part of the Marine Reserve, stretches up and down the coast for kilometers, providing the perfect spring-board to the National Park, and a host of water-based activities. The clear blue waters of the park hide a thriving marine bio-system, which includes fringing reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, and lagoons filled with stunning brightly-colored coral gardens, just bristling with intriguing sea creatures. There are mudflats to explore, marine birds to watch, excellent snorkeling in the fringing reefs close to the shoreline and some of the most enjoyable scuba-diving sites to be found off the Kenyan coast.

Activities in Malindi national park

• Scuba Diving-Keen scuba divers can look forward to exploring various very rewarding dive sites, including a wreck which lies in fairly shallow waters and has become a home for several shoals of fish. The most popular dive sites are all located about 15 to 25min by boat from the shore. Coral Garden, Marine Park and Tewa sites all have a maximum depth of 11mt, making them suitable for beginners. At Turtle Point and Papa Point you can drop down to around 16mt, and The Channel has a maximum depth of 23mt. All equipment is available for hire from several Scuba Diving centers, and lessons are available. 
• Snorkeling-is by far the most popular activity at Malindi – all you need is your snorkel and some fins (available for rental) and you can set off to enjoy an amazing and safe marine adventure. There are some spectacular coral formations in the fairly shallow waters of the Coral Garden, which are just 300mt offshore and are accessed by boat.
• Water Sports-There is a good variety of water sports to be enjoyed off the Malindi Beach, including water-skiing, jet-skiing, para-sailing, surfing, wind-surfing and even kite-surfing.
• Bird Watching- just 20km south of Malindi. Mida creek is a large salt-water lagoon, merging with a huge Mangrove forest which provides habitats for many endemic and migratory bird species, as well as a breeding ground for endangered Turtles. The Boardwalk tour (guided) will take you along a 260mt suspended boardwalk to a rustic hide where you can spend some time watching a wide variety of marine birds.  Canoe excursions over the mud-flats are also available.
• Sunbathing on Magic Island-This is a rather unique experience! The island, which is situated inside the Marine Park, is so called because it appears and disappears magically with the tides. At low tide the sandbank pops out of the ocean and makes the perfect place for sunbathing, surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
• Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve-Just a short distance from Malindi National Park you will find the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, which contains a somewhat unique stretch coastal forest. Arabuko is great for hiking and bird watching, and you may come across some of the rare endemic animals that live there.  
• The Gedi Ruins and the Kipepeo Butterfly Farm- Both of these attractions can be visited on a interesting half-day tour. Walk through the extensive ruins of what was obviously a thriving coastal Swahili city, dating from about the 13th century, which appears to have been abandoned in the 17th or 18th century. Surprisingly advanced architectural techniques are evident in the many well-preserved relics of palaces, mosques, wells and houses. The Butterfly Farm is a co-operative initiative between the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Arabuko Sokoke community, and is well worth a visit. You can also buy some great silk products to take home.
• Malindi tourist market- This artisan market is one of the best places along the coast to shop for authentic Kenyan arts and crafts. There are more than 50 stalls to browse and you can see many of the craftsmen at work.

What to see at Malindi national park

• Coral- There is a tantalizing variety of superb coral to be seen below the waters of Malindi National Park. Just to give you an idea, 145 species of hard coral have been recorded on the North Reef alone! Expect to see beautiful examples of Boulder Coral, Organ Pipe Coral and Staghorn Coral, among many others.
• Marine life-fish species include Barracuda, Reef Sharks, Angel Fish, Surgeon Fish, Zebra Fish, Clown Fish, Rays. Also look out for: Lobster, Crabs, Octopus, Star Fish, Clams, Moray Eels, and Turtles. Marine mammals include; algae-eating Whale Shark, and migrating Humpback Whales. Marine Birds in the park include Roseate and Bridled Terns, which nest on Whale Island, and many shore birds.

Where to stay at Malindi national park:

• Malindi Banda’s: 3 single beds and 6 twin beds self-contained cottages. Comfortable and cost effective with a spacious dining hall. Kitchen can be hired for self-catering services, or with service of a cook.
• Campsite has cool shade of indigenous trees which provides scenic and serene environment with a marked nature trail. Your stay here will bring back memories of unspoiled splendor because nature is precisely as it was intended to be. Equipped with 2 erected barbeque and cooking area, working security lights, 2 flush toilets, and 2 pit latrines showers.
• Resorts such as Diamonds Dream of Africa and Driftwood Beach Club they offer a wide range of activities including diving and snorkeling excursions into Malindi National Park, glass-bottomed boat trips and various beach sports.