Malindi Marine Park and Reserve was established in 1968 with an area of 213sq.km and it’s the oldest. The park was voted as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man & Biosphere Reserve programme of UNESCO in 1979. The park has a total area of 6 km2 and is situated south of Malindi town extending to Mida creek. It borders Gede ruins and Arabuko Sokoke forest. The park is enclosed by a national reserve and a 100 ft strip of coastal land from Vasco-da-Gama pillar to Watamu. Malindi Marine Park and Reserve was established for the following objectives:
The Park and Reserve is easily accessible by road and air, has wealthy and comparatively pristine aquatic biodiversity, stunning beach and warm water safe for swimming.
Malindi marine Park and Reserve is boasts of wonderful resources such as fringing reefs, coral gardens in the lagoons, sea grass beds, mangroves, mudflats, high fish diversity, marine mammals (e.g. dolphins), Turtles and Shorebirds. A large patch reef, north reef, has developed further offshore and this reef is the main focus of much of the tourism activity in the park.The park is well served by a road network covering 118 Kilometers tarmac road from Mombasa to Malindi town.
Airstrip
Malindi Airport
Facilities at the Malindi Marine National Park- 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, 2 pit latrines, 5 showers.
A Resource center
A Resource center with conference hall for a capacity of 50 people with audio-visual equipment, a library and laboratory is available for hire.
An education center
An education center with audio-visual equipment and colorful and informative posters displayed for visitor’s free access.
Activities
Swimming in the warm ocean water, Snorkeling, Boat rides, Diving, Dhow rides, Sun bathing, Educational tour, Picnic and barbeque on Island, Wind surfing (in the reserve), Beach clean up, Research, KWS patrols and much more
Marine Animals and Plants
Turtles
Green, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, loggerhead. Green and Hawksbill turtle breeds in the park
Fishes
Over 300 species of fish have been recorded in the park with most common groups including: Angelfish, Barracuda, Butterfly fish, Goatfish, Fusiliers, Emperors, Groupers, Grunt/Sweetlips, Jacks, Parrotfish, Rabbit fish, Sharks, Snappers, Surgeon fish, Triggerfish and Wrasses.
Invertebrates
At least 135 species of gastropods and 12 species of echinoids have been identified in the park and reserve. The common invertebrates within the park include Clams, Crown of thorns, Lobsters, Octopus, Sea anemone, Sea cucumber, Sea stars, Sea urchins, crabs and Shells.
Benthic cover
200 species of algae have been identified. A total of 55 genera and 145 species of hard coral have been recorded on the north reef. Generally the substrate is covered by Coralline algae, Halimeda, Dead Coral, Soft Coral, Fleshy algae, Sand, Hard Coral, Rubble, Algal Turf.
Corals
- Corals come in many colors, shapes and sizes
- Boulder coral, organ pipe Coral, Sea grass, Stag Horn Coral.
Birds
A variety of migrant shore and terrestrial birds.
Mammals
Splendid and spectacular adventures you can’t afford to miss The Dolphins.
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