Exploring Kenya’s Marine Parks

After setting off from the east coast of Australia in 2020, the Ovens family have been steadily cruising westward and after crossing the Indian Ocean to Tanzania on their catamaran SV Excelsior they moved northwards to Kenya where they say they experienced one of the warmest welcomes of their travels so far.

After clearing in at Kilifi, they began exploring the country’s coastline which includes a number of designated Marine Parks, National Reserves and Conservation Areas.  According to Sarah Ovens, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with where these are, along with the various restrictions and fees. (See Fees chart below).

KIUNGA – LAMU MARINE NATIONAL RESERVE

Further north along Kenya’s spectacular Indian Ocean coast is the Kiunga Marine National Reserve. This pristine ecosystem incorporates a chain of about 50 calcareous offshore islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago. Visitors can view the teeming sea life in the coral reefs, sea grass and extensive mangrove forests which are a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs. The reserve provides ideal opportunities for wind surfing, diving and snorkelling, water skiing and sunbathing.

MALINDI MARINE PARK AND RESERVE

From swimming with zebra fish to windsurfing, this beautiful slice of Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline provides the perfect getaway. The park is endowed with magnificent resources such as fringing reefs, coral gardens in the lagoons, sea grass beds, mangroves, mudflats, marine mammals, turtles and various species of shorebirds. Visitors can also enjoy glass bottom boat rides, snorkelling, camping and beach walks in this veritable paradise.

WATAMU MARINE PARK

Green turtles, unique coral gardens, the Gede Ruins – the Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve has it all. The park is part of a complex of marine and tidal habitats along the Kenya’s north coast with rich and diverse bird life, fish, turtles and dugongs. Visitors can enjoy the white sandy beaches, snorkelling, water skiing, windsurfing and glass bottomed boat tours.

MOMBASSA MARINE PARK AND RESERVE

Warm azure ocean, swaying coconut palms on white sandy beaches are to be found in the Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve. The park lies between the Mtwapa and Tudor Creeks and its blue waters are ideal for wind surfing, water skiing, snorkelling and diving. They also provide a home to a colourful variety of marine species including crabs, starfish, stone fish, cucumbers sea urchins, corals, turtles, sea grasses and interesting migratory birds including crab plovers.

KISITE-MPUNGUTI

Unspoiled, beautiful and sun kissed, the Kisite Marine Park was established to protect the scenic islands and special habitats of a wide range of endemic marine animals and breeding migratory birds. It lies in the coral gardens south of Wasini Island and encompasses three small coral rag forest islands, each with considerable areas of fringing reef. Kisite is one of the most rewarding snorkelling locations at the coast. Visitors can also enjoy bird watching, diving and of course, sunbathing.

Kenya Wildlife Service Conservation Fees (To December 2025)

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About the Authors:

The Ovens Crew are an Australian live-aboard family who began cruising on their sailing catamaran, Excelsior, in 2020.  Starting out on the east coast of Australia, they have since travelled extensively throughout Indonesia (for 12 months) and then onward to Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and more recently they have crossed the Indian Ocean to explore the African Continent and its cruising grounds including Tanzania and Kenya. Find out more about the Ovens family via their:

• You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sailingexcelsior
• Instagram: instagram.com/theovenscrew
• Facebook: facebook.com/Sailing-Excelsior-108521981424036

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Other Noonsite reports from SV Excelsior:

• Kenya:  Experiencing a Warm East Africa Welcome
• Tanzania:  Busy Ports and Stunning Anchorages
• Tanzania: Things to Know Before You Go
• Tanzania:  A Cruising Family’s Guide to Marine Parks and Reserves
• Cruising Sri Lanka:  What we Wish We’d Known Beforehand

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.

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