The Location of Malindi Marine National Park and Things to Do
Malindi Marine National Park lies along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline, about 118 km north of Mombasa. The 1,483-acre park is enclosed within the larger 245km² Watamu-Malindi Marine National Reserve that extends southwards from the famous Vasco-Da-Gama Pillar towards Watamu.
Established in 1968, the park is among the first Marine protected areas in Africa. It was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1979 and to date it has maintained the promise of untold underwater riches that everyone desires to explore.
The beautiful Malindi beach, which is part of the reserve, stretches several kilometers down the coast providing a host of water-based activities that no one can resist. This article explains the reasons for visiting the Malindi National Park, how to get there, and exciting things to do.
Why visit Malindi Marine National Park?
The Malindi Marine National Park is endowed with magnificent natural resources hidden under the clear waters. They include fringing reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, mudflats, lagoons, and brightly-colored coral gardens, all bristling with intriguing sea creatures.
There are humpback dolphins, sea turtles, damsels, zebra fish, parrotfish, butterfly fish, sardines, barracudas, shore birds, and occasional reef sharks. This marine ecosystem also has a high density of invertebrates such as sponges, worms, and crustaceans.
In addition to these natural sea attractions, Malindi National Park and Reserve is a plethora of fun activities. These include swimming, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, boat rides, camping, and waterskiing among others. Trainers for various water sports are always on standby to help you.
How to get there
If you are coming to Kenya, book a flight to Mombasa International Airport or the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi then connect to Malindi by road or air. Travelers from other cities and towns in Kenya can book a domestic flight or bus to the destination.
Malindi International Airport which receives chartered and scheduled flights from Nairobi, Kisumu, Lamu, and Mombasa is close to the park. If you are traveling from Nairobi, you can also book a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train to Mombasa and then connect to Malindi by road.
Driving from Mombasa to Malindi takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes or less when using a private vehicle. The park is accessible via Casuarina Road which links to the Mombasa-Malindi road.
Entrance fee
Malindi Marine National Park is protected and administered by the Kenya Wildlife Service. You will be required to pay an entrance fee when visiting. Payments are done through the eCitizen platform (https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke).
| Category | Child | Adults |
| Citizens | Ksh.125 | Ksh. 130 |
| Residents | Ksh.125 | Ksh. 130 |
| Non-Residents | USD 13 | USD 100 |
Things to do
Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve is a perfect getaway for holidaymakers, honeymooners, and individuals of all ages. Here is a list of things to do when you visit what’s known as Africa’s oldest marine park.
1. Enjoy water sports
Malindi Marine National Park is a heaven for water sports including swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, and kiteboarding among others. The clear water and warm weather conditions here are ideal for both novices and experts.
With its rich marine life, swimming allows you to connect physically with nature. You will closely interact with zebrafish and other beautiful sea creatures. The clear visibility around this area gives a glimpse into a variety of coral formations including the Boulder Coral, Organ Pipe Coral, and Staghorn, among many others.
Even without a skill in snorkeling or scuba diving, you can reach the bottom of the sea to experience magnificent underwater treasures. Various outfits are on standby to provide the training and required equipment. The most popular dive sites are all located about 15 to 25 min by boat from the shore.
2. Birdwatching nature walks
The Mida Creek, merging with a huge Mangrove forest are major habitats for many residential and migratory bird species. The Boardwalk guided tour will take you to various hides where you can spend some time watching a wide variety of marine birds both endemic and migratory.
The Boardwalk has been built by A Rocha Kenya, a non-profit organization, through their Arabuko-Sokoke Schools & Eco-Tourism Scheme (ASSETS) program to help locals to pay school fees for their children and help in the conservation of East Africa’s largest remaining coastal forest.
The creek is also an important breeding site for turtles, cribs, and other sea creatures. Stopovers are also provided to encourage maximum interaction with nature. Just remember to carry your binoculars and a camera with a good scope for good photography.
3. Enjoy a ride on a glass-bottom boat
If you are not into jumping into the waters to see those beautiful creatures in the ocean, you can still spot them from a glass-bottom boat. The rides are provided by experienced sailors who also give details about marine species that call Malindi Marine National Park home.
Finishing is prohibited at the park although it can be done in some sections of the reserve. This explains why you can see a thriving population of fish in this place. During the boat rides, you will see the park’s stony coral that houses and protects the beautiful marine creatures.
4. Sunbathing at Park’s Magic Island
Sunbathing on the sandy shores of Magic Island was one of the moments I had in the park. The island is so called so because it appears and disappears magically with the tides. At low tide, the sandbank pops out of the ocean making it a perfect place for sunbathing.
5. Visit the Vasco da Gama Pillar
The 500-year-old Vasco da Gama Pillar is one of the popular attractions near the Malindi Marine National Park. The monument marks Vasco da Gama’s last stop in Africa before he sailed across the Indian Ocean to India in 1498.
This pillar reminds the early inhabitants of the Kenyan coast and their trading activities that have since shaped the lives and cultural interactions of the communities in the region.
The best time to visit Malindi
June to October and December to February are the best seasons to visit Malindi. The dry and sunny weather is perfect for beach activities. Unfortunately, they are the peak tourism seasons on the Kenyan coast and they come with crowds and high hotel rates.
You can consider traveling during the shoulder seasons particularly if you are on a budget trip. The October to November short rain season and April to May long rain season have pocket-friendly rates and fewer crowds but Malindi will not be a sunny paradise.
I am a safari enthusiast with a strong passion for wildlife conservation. Growing up surrounded by the savannah landscapes of Africa, I developed a deep connection with nature and wildlife. My experiences range from driving to major lodges to pitching tents in major national parks in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. I strive to bring you genuine, unfiltered experiences that capture the essence of each safari in sub-Saharan Africa.
