Mombasa Marine National Park

Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve is one of the most beautiful marine parks in Kenya. The park is filled with coral reefs though covering only 10 kilometers squared. Characterized by sandy beaches, palm trees, azure ocean and many more, the national reserve is covering around 200 kilometers.

Mombasa Marine Park was established in 1986 to protect the coral reefs as that it’s a part of the ecosystem formation at the Kenyan coastline.

The marine park is one of the most visited places in Kenya’s national parks.

All you Need to Know about Mombasa Marine Park

Location 

The marine park is located in Mombasa District, Coast Province; offshore of Mombasa town.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the marine national park depends on the activities and the interest of each tourist. From June to December is perfect for observing Humpback whales as they migrate. For anglers’ enthusiasts, the period from August to October is excellent. For scuba divers and snorkelers, from October to March is the best time to enjoy marine life. 

Ecosystem 

The National Park is gifted with different life species such as, seagrasses, starfish, crabs, turtles, stonefish, octopus, jellyfish, sea cucumber,, angelfish, sharks, dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, green sea turtle, leatherback turtle, hawksbill, humpback dolphin,, damselfish, zebrafish, spinner dolphin and many more.

What to Do in Mombasa Marine Park

Tourists can enjoy a lot of activities like snorkeling in the splendid clear waters, diving at the best diving site, fishing, boat rides with a packed lunch to be enjoyed within the ride, bird watching, water skiing, and windsurfing. Here are some activities to enjoy while being at Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve:

1- Marine Life Viewing

The national park is filled with various marine life species to view and enjoy such as sea grasses, starfish, crabs, turtles, stone fish, sea urchins, sea cucumber, octopus, shark, dolphin, angelfish, butterfly fish, bottlenose dolphin, green sea turtle, parrot fish, hawksbill, humpback dolphin, leather black turtle, zebra fish, damselfish, spinner dolphin and loggerhead fish. 

2- Snorkeling

Snorkeling is an entertaining activity for tourists where they can view the treasures of the sea in the clear water. Snorkeling gears are available for hiring. 

3- Diving

Diving is an excellent experience at Mombasa Marine Park with one of the best diving sites. Night diving is also available at the site and diving gears are available for hiring at respective hotels and companies.

4- Fishing

Apart from exploring the treasures of the sea with one’s eyes, tourists can enjoy fishing and being introduced differently to the creatures of the ocean. 

5- Boat Rides

It is a must try experience where tourists can enjoy boat rides with packed lunch. There are lots of aquatic birds to be seen.

6- Bird Watching

The park has a number of water birds that can entertain visitors during their tours. An example of water birds there is crab plover. 

7- Sunbathing

Sunbathing at the marine park takes place on the sandy beaches along the shoes of the Indian ocean where visitors can enjoy the warm sun and the cool breeze of the ocean.