| Malindi's ancient history, authentic cultural and epic | | | | flowing waters in the adjacent fringing reef. Then |
| architectural, location puts it in a limelight of sundry | | | | with a glass bottom boat, cross the reef and you are |
| interests. However, it is the diversity of holiday | | | | rewarded with a seemingly endless lagoon |
| making choices that gives Malindi its definitive identity | | | | intercepted by white magical islands. And the |
| - the tropical paradise'. Following the sign posts, drive | | | | experience repeats itself over and over as you sail |
| through the beautifully hedged, villas, resorts and | | | | inner to the coral garden and far stretch to Mayungu |
| mansion tangled finely amidst indigenous flora and the | | | | ... and that is just a glimpse of Malindi Marine Park! |
| last left turn takes you straight to Malindi Marine Park. | | | | Whether you are snorkeling or scuba diving, you are |
| Enveloped by a national reserve and a 100ft strip of | | | | sure to marvel at the under water beauty, or may |
| coastal land starting from Vasco-da-Gama pillar, Malindi | | | | just bump into other regular visitors to the Malindi |
| Marine Park is located 4km south of Malindi town | | | | marine park - this may include turtles feeding on the |
| extending to Mida creek, neighboring Gede ruins and | | | | thallasia beds and dolphins feeding on shimmering |
| Arabuko sokoke forest, then down to Watamu. It | | | | schools of sardine. On the leeward side of north reef, |
| was the first marine protected area in Kenya | | | | there has a low coral cover with large schools of |
| established in 1968 and designated as a Biosphere | | | | Barracuda and occasional reef sharks that are |
| reserve under the Man and Biosphere Reserve | | | | commonly encountered, as well as large rays that |
| program of UNESCO in 1979. | | | | feed on the bottom. |
| Malindi Marine Park is endowed with a variety of | | | | Swimming in the warm ocean water, snorkeling, boat |
| unique resources such as fringing reefs, coral gardens | | | | rides, diving, and dhow rides, sun bathing and |
| in the lagoons, sea grass beds, mangroves, mudflats | | | | educational tours are among the diverse activities at |
| and a high diversity of fish and marine mammals | | | | Malindi Marine Park. All this is without mentioning |
| including turtles and shorebirds. Among the species of | | | | implausible picnics and barbeque on island, wind surfing |
| fish found in the park include coral reef fish, | | | | (in the reserve), and occasional beach clean up and |
| sweetlips, surgeon fish, butterfly fish, damsel and | | | | research. |
| parrotfish. | | | | There is no charge to use the beach for swimming, |
| The untold phenomena of tidal islands that appear | | | | sunbathing or exploring the many tidal pools. |
| magically during the low tides are such an incredible | | | | However, a park fee is charged for visitors using |
| scenario. Imagine walking almost a kilometer in the | | | | boats to go snorkeling, scuba diving or observing the |
| sea on soft white sand overlooking crystal blue fast | | | | coral reefs. |