Snorkeling Tours In Kenya
Author: Content AdminDate: Wed Oct,2023
Marine conservation initiatives along the Kenyan coastline are dedicated to promoting the thriving of coral reefs and the aquatic biodiversity in the Indian Ocean waters. While enjoying your enjoyable beach vacation in Kenya, make sure to allocate some time for snorkeling in the numerous protected marine zones in the area. During your snorkeling excursion, you can leisurely float on the water's surface for an hour or longer, observing the mesmerizing underwater world below.
Depending on your comfort level, you can occasionally take a deep breath and venture deeper to get a close-up encounter with the vibrant marine life. Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, renowned as one of the finest snorkeling destinations in Kenya, boasts four coral islands, each surrounded by coral gardens. Among these islands, Kisite Island stands out as the most captivating snorkeling location.
Dressed in just your swimsuit, snorkel, and mask, you're treated to a mesmerizing underwater spectacle as you observe a diverse array of fish species like zebra, angel, snapper, butterfly, scorpion, rubber, puffer, damsel, and many more, making it a challenge to distinguish between them due to their rapid movements. Every now and then, a slower-moving form captures your attention, which could be a grouper, ray, or some other substantial marine creature.
Spinner, humpback, and bottle-nose dolphins are known to interact with snorkelers and divers, adding to the allure of the marine parks in Kenya. These parks are also renowned for their population of various sea turtle species, including loggerhead, ridley, green, leatherback, and hawksbill. From late June through December, the migration of humpback whales through the region offers a breathtaking opportunity to witness these majestic mammals in their natural habitat. With over 360 fish species and 45 types of coral, you're guaranteed to be enchanted by the underwater wonders.
For those interested in observing turtles on land, a visit to Watamu Marine Park provides an excellent chance, as it's a nesting site for these remarkable creatures. Other snorkeling spots include Mombasa Marine Park and Malindi Marine Park, along with varied coral reefs at Manda Toto, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, and Kiniyka in the Lamu archipelago. The ideal time for snorkeling at these locations is typically two hours before or after low tide. Knowing these prime locations is a crucial part of ensuring an extraordinary beach journey in East Africa.
At Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, the primary snorkeling attraction lies within the main coral gardens at the edge of the anchorage area. The northern end of Watamu Marine Park, known as The Larder, is a frequent spot for observing pickhandle barracuda, while Turtle Reef is a must-visit for those with a fondness for turtles. Another intriguing location to explore is The Pothole. The central part of the park houses the main coral gardens, and at the southern end, you can find the Rock Cod Caves.
For an optimal snorkeling experience at the caves, it's advisable to go during neap and low tide, and can assist in securing the necessary permissions for you to snorkel at this site. Additionally, an interesting site can be found at the large inlet on the northern end of the North Reef at Malindi Marine Park, where you can encounter parrotfish, moorish idol, small octopus, and other species after high tide. There are various hotels conveniently situated near the marine parks in Mombasa, Funzi, Chale, Lamu, Watamu, Malindi, and Kilifi, making it easy to access these captivating snorkeling locations.
